July is one of the best months for enjoying the beauty of your garden.
Much of the preparing and planting work completed in prior months will have paid off at this point, and it’s wonderful to see, and taste, the results!
Because July is typically hot and dry, this is a good month to make sure your garden is getting the right amount of water and to remain observant for pest or disease problems.
A GARDENER’S YARD AND GARDEN CHECKLIST FOR JULY
Mark your calendar to get these gardening to-do’s done in your yard and garden this month:
VEGETABLE GARDEN
Harvest your veggies, fruits, and herbs as they become ripe. Enjoy them now or find a way to preserve them for later.
Wondering what is going on with your tomatoes? July in Colorado can be a challenging month for them environmentally, with our wide temperature ranges and winds that prevent pollination. Some suggestions for protecting your tomatoes from these tough conditions are available in the Plant Talk article on Tomato Questions Abound in the Heat.
Late July and early August are the times to plant fall season vegetables such as peas, broccoli, and kale, so they’ll have time to mature before the first frost. The average first frost is mid-October for the Denver area, but can vary by several weeks from year to year. Advice on checking the germination times on the seed packet, and much more is found on this guide to planting these cool season crops.
TREES AND SHRUBS
Tree and shrubs need to receive adequate water to prevent leaf scorch, that occurs when dry winds remove moisture from plants faster than their roots can absorb.
Trim back perennial shrubs when they finish flowering to help them bloom next year on this season’s growth.
Avoid trimming trees when they are water stressed by hot and dry conditions – they need to conserve all the energy they can this time of year.
LAWN CARE
While an established lawn should be watered deeply and as infrequently as possible, with high temperatures, a lawn may need as much as 2.5 inches of water or more per week. It’s also important to check your sprinklers for even coverage. The most common cause of brown and bare spots in the turf is water not reaching the area.
Are Japanese Beetles making an appearance in your neighborhood? Unfortunately, you’ll most likely notice when they do! The adults will start to appear around June, and are most active July through early August. During this time, the female adults lay their eggs in grassy areas, which then hatch and the grubs (larvae) start to feed on nearby roots. Make sure to mow your lawn high, which encourages strong root growth, and let the soil dry out a bit to help reduce the amount of turf damage from these insect pests. Japanese beetles can’t be eliminated entirely; however, there are a variety of ways to manage their presence.
PERENNIAL FLOWER BEDS
Dead-heading, which is removing spent and fading blooms, will help prevent spreading and re-seeding of perennials, if that’s not desired, and will encourage further blooming.
Keep pulling those weeds! Weeds that are not left to go to seed will help prevent more weeds later, saving you time and effort down the road.
Refresh mulch as needed, to a depth of about 4 inches, to help retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds.
Plants that have grown tall and leggy may need to be supported, and cages or stakes are a good option.
ANNUAL FLOWER BEDS
Check the soil moisture in pots and hanging baskets frequently, as they will dry out quickly in the summer heat and wind.
Clear and thin out plants that are fading, and make room for planting fall annuals.
Dead-head to encourage growth of new blooms.
OTHER PROJECTS
Take a look around your garden for empty spots and bare areas that could be filled in later. Also make note of any plants that are weak, dying, and will need to be replaced. This is a perfect time to make a plan ahead for a fall, a great season to divide, add, and replace perennials and shrubs before winter.
NEED MORE GARDENING TIPS?
Please visit the CSU Extension Yard and Garden website for more seasonal gardening tips.
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