Ah, July. Many areas of the country begin to welcome their hottest, most humid weather this month. With that heat and humidity come plenty of pest and disease problems. On the upside, those heat-loving crops are growing like gangbusters, and summer annuals and perennials are in full bloom. Here are some things to keep in mind this month to keep your garden healthy and happy.
This list is broken down into short season regions, mid-length season regions, and long season regions for the sake of simplicity. Here is how the regions are determined:
- Short Season: USDA Hardiness Zones 1-4
- Mid-Length Season: USDA Hardiness Zones 5-7
- Long Season: USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11
If you are unsure which zone you are in, please check out the USDA Hardiness Zone Map.
Short Season Tasks
- Mulch the vegetable garden.
- Remove floating row covers from squashes and cucumbers once they begin to bloom to allow for pollination.
- Stake or cage tomatoes, if you haven't already done so.
- Check fruit crops for pests or pest damage. Remove any infested fruit.
- Check bramble fruits for disease. Prune out and throw away (do not compost) any infected canes.
- Check soil Ph now so you will know what you need to do in the fall to improve it.
Mid-Length Season Tasks
- If you are growing melons, place boards underneath the fruit to prevent rot and deter slugs and other pests.
- If you haven't already done so, remove floating row covers from squashes and cucumbers to allow for pollination.
- Check your soil Ph in the lawn and garden so you will know if you need to amend it at all in the fall.
- Continue deadheading perennials to keep them blooming.
- Check fruit crops for pest damage, remove any infested fruit.
- Be sure the garden gets at least an inch of water per week, especially if you are growing vegetables.
- Continue mowing your lawn high to cool the soil, prevent weeds, and slow evaporation.
- Keep up with the harvest.
- Watch out for Japanese beetles. They generally come on strong this month. Handpick them and drop them into a cup of soapy water or squish them.
Long Season Tasks
- Install screens to shade lettuces and other cool-season crops to extend their growing season.
- Be sure the garden gets at least an inch of water per week, especially if you are growing vegetables.
- Spray fruit trees with liquid seaweed extract to help them withstand heat stress.
- Top dress your lawn with compost to help it retain moisture.
