JOBS THIS MONTH

Early July

Lawn Care

• Provide 1 inch of water per week. Adjust the amount of water based upon rainfall and temperatures.  Water more often in very hot weather and less frequently in cooler temperatures.
• This is still time to install fresh sod.  Lay the sod right away and water well so it does not overheat.  Make sure the soil surface stays moist.  As a general rule, growing lawns need 1 inch of water per week.

Plantings

• Balled and burlapped and container-grown trees and shrubs can still be planted.  Apply a 2 to 3-inch layer of shredded mulch around shrubs to conserve moisture and keep roots cool.
• Continue planting annuals and perennials for color.
• Newly planted trees need plenty of water during the first year, especially during hot, dry spells.
• STOP pinching back fall blooming perennials such as asters and mums.
• Remove rust-infected leaves of hollyhock (Alcea) to prevent rust from spreading.
• Pinch back leggy petunias to encourage branching.
• Dig and divide spring blooming poppies, bleeding heart and bearded iris.
• Harvest fresh cut flowers and bring them inside to enjoy.
• Stake tall plants.
• Plant potted roses.
• Shear faded blossoms for a second flush of new growth and blooms. Give heat stressed lobelia and alyssum plants a trim for fresh blooms and new growth.
• Fertilize hybrid tea and modern roses.
• Continue to remove faded flowers on repeat blooming roses and hybrid tea roses to improve the appearance and increase bloom time.

 

• Remove individual flowers in the cluster as they fade.  Once all of the flowers in the cluster have bloomed, prune back the flower stem to the first 5-leaflet leaf.  Deadhead single-flowered roses back to the first 5-leaflet leaf.
• Lightly prune arborvitae, yews and junipers once the new growth has expanded. Clips stems back to a healthy bud or side shoot to contain growth.
• Shear and shape hedges after new growth has emerged.  Prune so that the top of the hedge is narrower than the bottom to allow light to reach all parts of the shrub.
• Lightly shear summer-blooming spirea to remove the faded flowers and encourage a fresh flush of blooms.  Repeat this after the second flush of flowers for a third colorful show.
• Check trees for gypsy moth cocoons and destroy any that are found.  Look in bark crevices and protected areas of the tree trunk.
• Moisture loving trees, such as paper birch (Betula papyrifera), may need to be watered once a week during dry weather.

Gardening

• Water your garden early in the morning to reduce the risk of disease and water loss to evaporation.
• Stop harvesting asparagus and rhubarb to allow plants to gain strength for next year.
• Dust squash vines with Bayer Complete Insect Dust for Gardens to kill squash borers.  Inspect vines at soil level.
• Blanch cauliflower by tying the leaves around the head when it is only 2 inches in diameter.  It will be ready in seven to twelve days when the head is 6 to 8 inches in diameter.
• Harvest spinach when the outer leaves are 6 to 8 inches long.  Remove the entire plant as days get longer and hotter and the plants get larger.
• Continue picking leaf lettuce as the outer leaves reach 4 to 6 inches.
  Replant for a fall harvest.
• Check broccoli plants every few days once the flower buds (the part we eat) form.  They grow quickly from quarter size to harvest size.  Harvest before the yellow flowers appear.

Mid-July

Plantings

• Disbud dahlias for fewer but larger flowers.  Remove at least two pairs of side buds that develop below the terminal (tip) bud.  Remove three pairs if you want giant dahlias.
• Remove spotted leaves and discolored flowers to decrease fungal diseases in the garden.
• Rabbits and deer love to eat lilies.  Apply repellants early, vary the products used and repeat applications after it rains.
• Prune back silver mound (Artemisia) before it flowers.  Prune back to fresh new growth to avoid open centers.
• Cut back stems of delphiniums to the fresh growth at the base of the plant.  This encourages new growth and a second flush of flowers.
• Prune back yellow foliage of bleeding heart (Dicentra) to ground level.
• Cut back leggy annuals to just above a set of leaves.
• Watch for lacy leaves caused by Japanese beetles and rose chafers.  Handpick and destroy these pests.  Insecticides, such as Bayer® Complete Insect Killer, can also be used to reduce their damage.

Gardening

• Pick summer squash, like zucchini, when the fruits are 6 to 8 inches long or 3 to 6 inches in diameter for the round, scalloped types.  Continue picking to keep the plants producing.
• Pumpkins being grown for Halloween jack o’lanterns should be placed on a clean bed of straw to prevent discoloring.

Late July

• Continue weeding so it doesn’t get ahead of you.  A fresh layer of mulch will discourage weeds and help conserve moisture.
• Sow seeds of peas for fall harvesting.
• Now is a great time to share fresh produce with friends and family.
• Last but not least, take some time to sit under a tree and simply enjoy the shade!

Sources:

Minnich, Jerry. The Wisconsin Garden Guide – The Complete Guide to Vegetables, Flowers, Herbs, Fruit, & Nuts, Lawn & Landscaping, Indoor Gardening. 3rd ed. Madison: Prairie Oak, 1995. Print.

Myers, Melinda. Month by Month Gardening in Wisconsin: What to Do Each Month to Have a Beautiful Garden All Year. Franklin: Cool Springs, 2006. Print.