What to do in the Garden this Month

July is known for fireworks, picnics and gathering with family and friends.  It is also a fabulous time for your gardens!

What to do in your garden this month:

• Pinch chrysanthemums back to promote big, bushy growth and increase the number of blooms later.
• Divide and/or move your bearded iris so they can re-establish before winter.  Share extras with your friends!
• Deadhead your perennials and weed, weed, weed!
• If you are going on vacation, chop (if you don't have time to pull) any weeds in your garden.  The goal is to NOT let them go to seed. 
• Continue to water your new woodies (shrubs and trees) with 10-15 gallons of water each week.
• Stop fertilizing your woodies and cut out only dead, crossed and diseased branches.
• Take photos of your lovely plants as they flower.  Place labels near the plants.  Add the images to your garden journal and write the names down on your garden map, recording bloom times and other notes about how each species performs.
• Fertilize your container plants regularly or use a slow release fertilizer.
• Keep small veggie transplants watered.
• Mulch all your gardens, if you haven't already.
• Got holes in your veggie leaves? Look for slugs and squish them.
• Succession planting time has begun!  Plan replacement veggies for places where your spring veggies have finished.  For instance, spring peas are done and it's time to plant your next item in that spot.
• Blueberries will begin fruiting this month.  Get your bird-proof netting out and protect your berries.
• Actively train your squash vines, tomato plants and any vining, trailing plant.  Tuck stems inside cages, pinch errant vines, encourage growth where you want it now for easy, abundant harvesting later.
• Harvest garlic late in the month after half the leaves have turned brown.
• Handpick Colorado potato beetles and scout for other insect pests.
• Remove yellowed leaves, watch for mildew and keep an eye out for late blight symptoms on your tomato plants. 

Above all else, enjoy your flowers and the abundant harvest from your gardens.  Take time each day to admire their growth and beauty.  Appreciate your hard hard work and pat yourself on the back.