July Garden Tips

Welcome to the heat of Texas! Gardening can get very daunting during these hot months. Remember to always garden in the early morning or evening, and wear protective clothing to prevent mosquito bites and sunburn. Because Texas is in such extreme drought conditions, this month you need to focus on watering deeply and infrequently. Our plants need a nice, long drink every few weeks. Our trees and large shrubs are more susceptible to drought damage since their roots run much deeper than perennials and annuals. Thus, a slow dripping hose set at various places under the canopy of the tree will help the water access the roots. Set your timer for 30 minutes and let the hose drip 2-3 places under the tree canopy. Do this every few weeks and your trees, one of the biggest and best investments in the landscape, will continue to perform for you.

THINGS TO PLANT

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

Bulbs: Autumn Crocus (Colchicum), Liriope, Lycoris, Monkey Grass

Vegetables:

Early-Mid Month: Pumpkin

Mid-Late Month: Corn, Eggplant, Peppers, Southern Pea, Tomatoes, Winter Squash.

ALL Month: Amaranth, Okra.

tasks in the garden:

Fertilize: Give annuals a complete fertilizer. Water well before and after application. Deadhead and fertilize roses. Fertilize young 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 them with compost.

Lawn Care: Mow every 5-7 days, leaving the clippings on the lawn. Keep St. Augustine grass at 2 ½ to 3” height. Apply ½” to 1” of water as needed to wet soil thoroughly. Don’t water more often than every five days. Watch for take-all patch and treat accordingly. Set mower higher in shady areas to promote denser turf.

Diseases/pests to look for: Watch for spider mites, leaf rollers, lace bugs and aphids on plants; 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 the 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.

OTHER THINGS TO DO: Plan fall gardens and prepare beds b 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.