July 2011 Garden To Do List

I’ve just come back from walking the dogs this lovely evening in a tee shirt, shorts and sandals at about 10pm and have to say…it’s wonderful to have summer finally join us. (well maybe I spoke too soon!)

The honeysuckle is in full bloom, my Peony’s are just finishing and I think my beefsteak monster tomato plant has grown about a foot in the last 3 days!!!

I’ve also sampled the first few tayberries and sugar snap peas!
Enjoy!!


Here’s my to-do list for July.

• Yes, you can still plant.  I’ve found a few spots in my garden that I think I need some texture and interest that I’ll fill with some grasses…they are usually coming into the garden centers at about this time so I’ll have a good selection.
• Still keeping an eye out for pests and using the squish and remove method. 
• You can think about trimming and deadheading if your perennial and shrub border is becoming a bit too full with all the spring rain that was supplied.  Cut back Bachelors Buttons to encourage a second flush of flowers.
• Staking and tying your heavier flowers is a good idea at this time, like Dahlias, and Glads. 
• Feed your plants – use a good fertilizer appropriate for your plants that also supplies the micronutrients your plant needs to thrive.
• Towards the end of this month you can do a summer prune on your apple trees if necessary.  Remember, summer pruning slows down the growth of your tree, while winter pruning invigorates.  Remove only smaller branches and far less than the 1/3 we usually remove in the winter.
• You can also shape up your vines at this time.
•  Your veggie garden should be coming along.  I will definitely be staking that monster tomato plant I have before it takes over the front steps.  The others seem to be behaving themselves. 
• You should be thinking about harvesting if you have currants, tayberries, goumi berry or goji berry, they’ll be ripening soon. The snap peas are yummy.
• Think about Mojito’s on warm nights such at this one.  I have a pot of mint by the back door for those occasions that warrant a lovely Mojito or mint iced tea.
• Fertilize in your veggie garden as well.
• Don’t get discouraged if you have a lot of weeds, especially buttercups.  I think I have an almost pure culture of buttercups in my front west section of garden, just keep at them and don’t expect perfection this year.
• You can still aerate your lawn and top dress if needed. 
• Check your municipal website for watering restrictions, your lawns need far less water than you think!! This year, watering probably won't be an issue :)
• Mulch garden beds if you haven’t already.  I know I sound like a lunatic after all the rain we’ve had, but the mulch will help to keep the moisture in during the hot summer (I’m an optimist).
• Excellent time to go through that Honey-do list.  Garden projects are much more fun in the sun.
• Do take time to smell the flowers and appreciate all of your hard work!

This Post Was Written By:

Laurelle Oldford-Downe