July in the Garden
July in the Garden
Keep checking hanging baskets and outdoor containers to be sure they are getting enough water. Hot weather dries out the soil fast in containers. During really hot weather they need water every day--maybe twice a day. If you have plants growing under the house eaves or under tall trees, give them special attention when watering.
Refresh your organic mulch. There is nothing better for retaining moisture and keeping weeds in check. You need at minimum 3-4 inches of mulch. Don't pile the mulch right up against plant stems however.
Prop or stakes tall perennials if you forgot to do it earlier in the year. You may want to give your bed and borders a quick-acting feed before they bloom also.
Keep deadheading to prolong flowering in your beds and borders. You may want to cutback some plants by 1/3 or so to make them grow bushier and encourage another flowering.
Divide clumps of bearded iris.
If you have any bare sport in areas of plants with a carpet-like growth, e.g. some alpines, fill with a gritty compost, to encourage re-growth. Gritty compost consists of about 50% sharp grit or sand in peat moss or regular compost.
For a spot of summer color, pick up some flowering summer annuals from your garden center. You can mass-plant them or group them on porch or patio (even under a tree!) for instant color in your garden. Geraniums, begonias, impatiens, fuchsias, petunias, marigolds, and lobelia are some of the favorites.
While you are at the center, now is a good time to get perennials for planting. Do plant during the coolest part of the day however, and water, water, water! Monarda, daisies, carnations, pinks, and delphiniums are all perennial favorites.
Start planting your fall and winter vegetable crop. Beets, carrots, parsnips, rutabaga, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, and cauliflower can all be planted this month. You can start planting fall-blooming bulbs now too.
Now, fire up the grill and have a bar-b-cue!
For more detailed information on gardening and lawn care in your area, contact:
http://www.yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu or your county extension office
Iowa Master Gardener Program (Call us with your questions 10am to noon and 1-4:30pm, M-F--515-294-3108 or contact us via e-mail: hortline@iastate.edu)
Your local garden center.
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