GARDENING TIPS FOR JULY
This is probably one of
the busiest month of the year for gardeners. There is
always something for us to do to keep us busy. With
warmer temperatures, everything grows faster,
including mosquitoes, bugs, worms and disease .
There are pests to watch out for and weeds to pull. It
seems as if the weeds have suddenly grown up the
moment you take a break.
● This month should be named National Bug Month. If it
did not rain too much, your aphid population will
build up. Other pests include mealy bugs, white flies
and spider mites. An organic spray can take care of
these insects. Aphids can be controlled easily by
directing a forceful jet of water to knock them off
the leaves and stems.
● Watch out for cutworms and leaf eating worms in your
vegetable patch. Search, pick and destroy early to
prevent irreparable damage.
● Control worms with B.T. (Bacillus
thuringiensis) which is harmless to honey
bees. Sevin insecticide will kill worms but it
is toxic to bees and other friendly insect.
● Dig up your spring bulbs now. They are finished
blooming and the leaves have withered, Store them in a
cool, dry place to be planted again in the fall.
● Fertilize your vegetable plot for a bountiful
harvest.
● I know it is difficult to think about a fall garden
when you have yet to savor the fruit of your labor.
This may be a good time to plan your fall growing now
that your summer crops are in the ground.
● Remove weeds and grass around your young trees to
eliminate competition for water and nutrients. Also
keep your young trees watered, esp. if there is no
rain in the forecast.
● Those gardeners with fruit trees should be watchful
for bug attacks. If you must spray, consult the
experts at your County Extension Office for advice
first. It is illegal to spray past the recommended
date before harvest. Be careful of pesticide drift to
neighbors' property. This is important in an urban
setting.
● When harvesting flowers, fruit or vegetables, follow
the old wisdom of harvesting in the early morning.
This keeps your harvest fresher for a longer time.
● The Dutch irises have bloomed. The spent flowers
with the stalks can be cut back. The daylilies and the
true lilies are now in full flower.
● Always water deeply after you fertilize the lawn.
Use a slow-release fertilizer to fees slowly and
constantly during the growing season. This prevents
big spurts of lush vegetative growth which is
vulnerable to disease and insects.
● Increase your mowing height during the hot summer to
protect the roots and keep the root zone cool.
● Water early in the morning to give your plants a
good soak. This gives the wet leaves time to dry up
quickly by noon. Watering late in the day keeps leaves
wet longer. Many plant disease spores and
bacteria depend on a thin moisture film on leaf
surfaces to grow, germinate and attack your plant.
● There is an unsung love-hate relationship between
you and wildlife, esp. birds if you are planning to
have a bountiful fruit harvest. Do not forget to
provide water and shelter for birds, box turtles, toads
and other small animals. There are many derived
benefits from having them around. A garden devoid of
"critters" is a sterile, dead garden.
● Plant some sunflowers for the birds to entice them
away from your fruit bearing plants.
