July
This
is a tough month for Carolina
Gardeners. Hot, hot, hot. Many
flowers take a break until it
cools down in September. You may
want to follow suit. If not,
weed in the cool of the evening.
Lawns:
Fertilize
all warm season lawns such as
Bermuda and Centipede.
Annuals:
Time
to plant another round of
zinnias, nasturtiums, and other
annuals for a great late summer
and fall show.
Continue
to deadhead blooms.
Cutback
Impatiens and other leggy
annuals to encourage side growth
and more blooms.
Perennials
& Bulbs:
Dig
and divide overcrowded daylilies
and irises.
Trees
& Shrubs:
Scale,
spider mite, lacebug and leaf
hopper are common in July.
Use Orthene or insecticidal soap
to control them.
Bagworms
on evergreens can be hand picked
or use Dipel spray.
Shade trees may need more
water. Most of the water should
be placed at the outer reached
of the root system where the
small root hairs which take up
the soil moisture are located.
When you water a tree - water
deeply.
Begin making semi-hardwood
cuttings of shrubs like azalea,
Camellia and Hydrangea. Root
them in a peat-light mixture in
a shaded location. Mist them
frequently to keep them from
drying out.
Fertilize figs. Keep them
well watered and mulched.
Hydrangea and forsythia can
be propagated by bending stems
to the ground and covering them
with two inches of dirt.
Roses:
Groom roses constantly.
Keep roses well mulched in
the summer months.
Consider any roses which are
growing and flowering well in
the heat for your future
plantings.
Roses should still be sprayed
every 7-10 days with fungicide.
Vegetables
& Herbs:
Cut
back mint, thyme and lemon balm
to prevent a raggedy appearance.
Harvest
frequently and correctly.
Vegetables left too long on the
plant lose taste and quality.
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