Things to Do – July 2017
Greg Grant
- Plant zinnia seeds for fall bloom.
- Plant marigold (marimum) transplants for fall bloom.
- Deadhead annuals, perennials and roses regularly to encourage re-blooming.
- Carry pruners with you every time you go into the garden to make grooming easier.
- Scout garden daily for pests or problems.
- Water beds and lawns deeply but infrequently. Lawns generally need irrigating once per week, azaleas once every two weeks, perennials, ground-covers, shrubs, and fruit trees once a month, and most shade trees only during severe droughts.
- Make sure there are 2-4” of organic mulch on beds to preserve moisture, prevent weeds, and to keep the soil cool.
- Water potted plants weekly using a half strength fertilizer solution.
- Plant fall transplants of tomatoes (first two weeks of July), eggplants, and peppers.
- Seed fall crops of pumpkin and squash.
- Protect your skin from sun damage and stay hydrated when working in the garden.
- Pinch back fall-blooming plants to increase blooms and density.
- Note which plants do well in the heat to plant for next year.
- Check St. Augustine grass regularly for chinch bugs and treat with labeled insecticide.
- To remove aphids spray plants (including underside of leaves) with a strong blast of water or shear off infected new growth.
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