Lawn and Garden Life: July
Everything’s in the ground. Now it’s time watch it grow! But you can’t just sit back.
Proactively weeding, watering and staying after the pests is what July is all about.
Yes, that’s hard work in the hot sun. To cool down, pick some juicy red strawberries, some fresh mint and enjoy a cool, thirst-quenching strawberry mint spritzer!
July To-Do Lists
— Your Lawn —
● For strongest root growth, water deeply and not that often. To reduce the chance of disease, water early in the morning so your lawn dries by nightfall.
● Watch out for white grubs. If you see damage, apply appropriate controls.
● For a green, healthy lawn, mow at 3” or longer.
— Your Flower Garden —
● Provide water for the garden…and the birds.
● Prune any infected leaves from your roses. Use fungicide sprays if needed.
> If spraying roses with fungicides, mix extra and spray hardy phlox, Monarda and other ornamentals to prevent mildew.
● Prune climbing roses and rambler roses after bloom.
● Water newly planted trees and shrubs thoroughly once a week.
● Fertilize container plants every 2 weeks with a water-soluble solution. We use Jack’s Classic 10-10-10 in a hose-end sprayer.
● For less weeding next year, keep weeds from making seeds now! Cut back, pull or spray. We spray a 20% vinegar weed killer in our nurseries.
● Keep deadheading spent annual flowers for continued bloom.
● Perennials that have finished blooming should be deadheaded. Cut back the foliage some to encourage tidier appearance.
● Summer pruning of shade trees can be done now. Remove suckers, water sprouts and branches that grow towards the center of the tree or across one another.
● Pinch the buds on mums around the 4th of July to slow down the blooming cycle so that your mums bloom later in Fall.
— Your Veggies and Berries —
● Prep your Fall garden – sow seeds or plant veggie such as collards, kale, sweet corn and summer squash as you harvest earlier crops.
● Set out broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower transplants for Fall.
● Sweet corn is ripe when the silks turn brown.
● Keep cukes well-watered. Drought will cause them to be bitter.
● Harvest onions and garlic when the tops turn brown.
● Prune out and destroy old fruiting canes of raspberries after harvest is complete.
● Get ready to bake some pies! Blackberries are beginning to ripen now.
1. Water first thing in the morning or late in the evening.
2. Water at plant roots. Keep the leaves dry. You’ll avoid diseases and burn marks.
3. Reach the roots. Thorough watering requires gradual application, evenly around the plant.
4. Don’t over water. You don’t want to drown your roots!
5. Check your soil. If there’s plenty of clay, your soil will hold water better and more evenly. Not enough? You may want to supplement it next year.
July is no time to go soft on weeds. Every day or night that there’s a soaking rain, spend a few minutes pulling weeds – the wet soil makes it easy. If you have specific problem weeds, CountryMax has proven solutions!
Problem: Chickweed Clover
Solution:
Bonide® Chickweed Clover, Oxalis Killer Concentrate
Proven to kill Chickweed, Clover, Oxalis, Plantain, Speedwell, Canadian Thistle, Ground Ivy, Dandelion and many others—over 150 weeds listed on the label! #912042
Problem: Vegetation
Solution:
Bonide® Ground Force® Vegetation Killer
Kills all weeds and grasses, roots and all! Prevents new growth for up to one full year. An excellent choice for driveways, patios, fence lines, gravel paths, parking areas, sidewalks, curbs and more. #917347
Problem: Poison Oak and Ivy
Solution:
Bonide® Poison Oak & Ivy Killer
Controls a wide range of broad leaf weeds such as poison oak and ivy, ragweed, dandelion, clover, buckhorn and Canadian thistle. Apply when weeds are actively growing for best results. #109290
Problem: Moss
Solution:
Bonide® Mossmax® Moss Killer
Fast acting water based, multi-purpose formula works within hours to kill moss, algae and lichens on lawns, trees, roofs, decks, patios, buildings, fences, walkways—all without staining or damage to desirable plants. Also removes green slime. #912105
Congratulations! You’re growing your own food, in your own backyard.
But mid-summer is no time to get lazy on the battlefront with pests.
Caterpillars. Beetles. Shield bugs. Spider mites. It’s a long list of tiny threats to your vibrant plants and veggies.
The good news? Pests can be controlled in two ways:
1. Naturally, with a few strategic plant choices
2. Proactively, choosing just the right products
There’s a triangle of protection in the upstate plant world that can help you safeguard your garden by fighting off bad bugs, and attracting good ones.
Catnip
Thwarts aphids, beetles, caterpillars and shield bugs.
Dill
Also repels aphids, caterpillars and shield bugs plus spider mites.
Mint
Provides added protection against whiteflies.
In addition, here are some popular plants that are proven pest fighters.
When strategic planting isn’t enough to oust the pests in your garden or backyard, consider some of these suggestions from the CountryMax team.
Bonide® Eight Insect Control Yard & Garden Insect Spray
Controls over 100 insects on fruits, vegetables, flowers, trees, shrubs, lawns and more. Controls bagworm, ticks, chinch bugs, earwigs, Japanese beetles, scale, thrips, tent caterpillars, mealy bug and many more. #109402
Bonide® Eight Insect Control Vegetable, Fruit & Flower Concentrated Pint
Kills over 100 insects that affect lawns, roses, flowers, trees, shrubs, vegetables, fruits and nuts. Controls insects for up to 4 weeks and can be used as a surface spray to be applied to building surfaces preventing invasion of troublesome insects. Concentrated formula makes up to 16 gallons! Safe for use on vegetables, fruits, flowers, roses, ornamentals, lawns, trees and shrubs. #109408
Ortho® 3-In-1 Insect, Mite, & Disease Ready To Use Insect Control Spray
Convenient, easy to use formula requires no mixing. Simply apply directly from the bottle as indicated in the instruction booklet and spray your plants to control insect damage, fungal disease and mites. #7949530
Preferred by organic gardeners for an easy, environmentally safe insect and pest control solution. Kills insects on contact with natural potassium fatty acids. Insecticidal Soap is perfect for houseplants, vegetables, flowers, fruits and more. Unique formula does not persist in the environment like other chemicals and may be used up until the day of harvest. #917195
