Things to do in July

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Fertilize:
Give annuals a complete fertilizer. Water well before and after application. Deadhead and fertilize roses. Fertilize young fruit trees (except pears) with a 3-1-2 ratio product at 1-2 cups per inch of trunk diameter.

Water:
Water all planted areas deeply but infrequently during dry periods. Outdoor container plants need daily watering. Consider landscaping with drought resistant native plants in the future. SOIL: Mulch all bare soil. Turn compost pile and add new ingredients. Clean up spring vegetable gardens and replenish with compost.

Lawn Care:
Mow every 5-7 days and leave the clippings on the lawn. Watch for take-all patch. Set mower higher in shady areas to promote denser turf.

Diseases/Pests to Look for:
spider mites
leaf rollers
lacebugs and aphids
chinch bugs
fleas
ticks
chiggers and grubs in lawns;
scale insects on euonymus, hollies, peaches and plums;
webworms in pecans and persimmons;
powdery mildew on crape myrtles and roses;
aphids on crape myrtle, roses and Mexican milkweed;
scale on peaches and plums.
Remove any diseased leaves from beds; do not add to compost.

Prune:
Remove vigorous growth from center of peach and plum trees to prevent shading of fruiting shoots. Tip new blackberry canes at 4’ to force side branches. Prune dead and damaged wood from trees and shrubs as needed.

Things To Plant In July:

Flower Plants:

  • Ageratum
  • Ajuga
  • Alpine Aster
  • Balsam
  • Blue Daze
  • Boltonia
  • Cockscomb
  • Silver Dollar Plant (Lunaria Annua)
  • Periwinkle
  • Portulaca
  • Purslane
  • Gloriosa Daisy (Rudbeckia Hirta)
  • Mexican Bush Sage (Salvia leucantha)
  • Sedum
  • Stokes’ Aster
  • Wax Begonia
  • Wishbone Flower (Torenia)
  • Vinca
  • Zinnia

Flower Seeds:

  • Ageratum
  • Balsam
  • Castor Bean
  • Cleome
  • Cockscomb
  • Cosmos
  • Four-o’clock
  • Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
  • Impatiens
  • Marigold
  • Moonflower
  • Morning Glory
  • Periwinkle
  • Portulaca
  • Tithonia
  • Torenia
  • Vinca
  • Zinnia

Bulbs:

  • Autumn Crocus (Colchicum)
  • Lirope
  • Lycoris
  • Monkey Grass

Vegetables:

  • Early—Mid Month: Pumpkin, Sweet Potato
  • Mid—Late Month: Corn, Eggplant, Peppers

 

Other Things To Do:

Plan fall gardens and prepare beds by removing perennial weeds before tilling; add compost and fertilizer. Gather herbs and flowers to dry. Preserve the bounty by freezing, canning or drying vegetables and fruits. Drink lots of water and try to stay cool.

 

Courtesy of the Garden Guide for Austin & Vicinity, published by the Travis County Master Gardener Association, copyright 2000-2002.

Additional July Tips

To do for July 28th, 2012
To do for July 21st, 2012
To do for July 14th, 2012
To do for July 7th, 2012
To do for July 30th, 2011
To do for July 23rd, 2011
To do for July 16th, 2011
To do for July 9th, 2011
To do for July 2nd, 2011
To do for July 31st, 2010
To do for July 24th, 2010
To do for July 17th, 2010
To do for July 10th, 2010
To do for July 3rd, 2010
To do for July 25th, 2009
To do for July 18th, 2009
To do for July 11th, 2009
To do for July 4th, 2009
To do for July 26th, 2008
To do for July 19th, 2008