I hope everyone enjoyed that nice cool spring, because summer is here with a vengeance! It is hot, hot, hot, and gardening is not so fun anymore. Just walking out to get the paper leaves you sweaty, so who wants to weed? Such is summer in East Tennessee. Pick a cooler day, and try to get started on the list of things to do in the garden in July.

Annuals and perennials:

• Water, water, water! We are still below normal rainfall, and plants are thirsty.

• Don't be afraid to plant.  Some plants did not survive the leap into hot weather.  Go ahead and replace them, but keep in mind that some perennials go dormant in the summer.  Don't dig those up thinking they are dead.

• Speaking of dead, deadheading is a continuous process.  It fools plants into thinking that they need to produce seed, so they bloom more.

• If you don't want to give up on your sickly looking plants, try giving them a good haircut.  Many will love it if you trim them back to about 6-8 inches and give them a good shot of fertilize. Also do this for plants that are getting so tall they cannot support their own weight. It will delay your blooms for a little while, but increase the attractiveness of the plant.

• A summer haircut will also help tall, fall blooming perennials not be so leggy.

• If you can't bear to cut back, stake up plants that have gotten too tall to support themselves. Old pantyhose cut into strips make great plant ties.

• Clean up dead and diseased foliage to discourage the spread of disease.

• You may be noticing insects in your plants.  If you need to treat, please start with the least toxic products. Safer Soap, Organic sprays and Diatomaceous Earth are a good place to start. Please read directions, as many oil based products must be applied at dusk. A good blast with the water hose will take care of some things if done daily.

• If these methods don't work, move up a level. If you are using products you have had for a while, or are buying a new version of an old favorite, check the labels. Many have had to change formulas due to chemical bans.

• Systemic products will also work for many plants. Try to get a head start on Japanese Beetles by treating susceptible plants now.

Trees and Shrubs:

• If you have waited to trim your spring flowering shrubs, you have waited too long.  By July, they are starting to set bud for next spring and you will cut off next year's blooms.  Other plants, however, will benefit from shaping as long as you don't remove more than 1/4 to 1/3 of the growth.  It is also better to trim with pruners and make individual cuts, rather than using hedge clippers. Make a cut, then stand back and check your progress. Don't get in a rush and make careless cuts. Branches don't go back on!

• Trim Hydrangeas that bloom on old wood after they finish blooming. For most, this will be between the end of July and the end of August.

• Don't forget to water!  Even the established trees and shrubs may start to dry out. We had a lady get really mad last week because we told her the likely reason her shrubs were dying is that she wasn't watering them. She thought it was "ridiculous" to have to water established shrubs (hers were 2 years old). If that's your philosophy, I hope you like the color brown. Many shrubs will need watering once a week or more.  Newly planted trees and shrubs will need water at least 2-3 times each week.  Force them to grow roots by watering heavily, but less often.  A good method is to place a hose beside the plant and turn it on just a trickle, then leave it there for an hour or so. Soaker hoses are also effective. There are some shrubs, such as Hydrangeas, that may need water every day.

• If you are using a sprinkler system, test it periodically. An easy way of doing this is to place empty tuna cans or cat food cans around your beds. They are about 1" deep, and that is about how much water you need each week. Check frequently for dry spots or wet spots, and adjust your sprinklers accordingly.

• You may also be having a problem with powdery mildew, rust, black spot, etc.  Treat with a fungicide at 10-14 day intervals. Spray early in the morning before the sun is on the leaves, or fungicides may burn the new leaves. Systemic formulas may need to be applied less often. Be sure to read those labels!

Lawns:

• Don't fertilize now.

• Please don't mow too short, especially if it is hot and dry.  This stresses your lawn terribly.  It is much better (for the grass, anyway) to mow higher and more frequently.

• Only mow when the grass is dry, and change direction every time you mow.

• Keep your blade sharp!  You'll be amazed at the difference this will make.

• Water.  Most lawns need 1 to 1 ½ inches of rain per week.

• Lawns may also fall prey to fungal problems.  Treat with a fungicide as package label directs.

Birds:

• You may think that this heat is "for the birds," but don't forget the little fellows. There are a lot of fledglings out there this time of year, and still babies for busy moms and dads to feed. Please remember to clean and fill up your birdfeeders regularly.

• If you don't have a birdbath, consider adding one. They can be as simple as a glazed saucer on the ground, or as elaborate as you would like. Change the water often so that mosquitoes don't breed in it. If you birdbath doesn't have many visitors, it may be too deep. You can partially fill it with stones to alleviate that problem. It will also help the birds if you have a safe location like a dense bush or tall tree nearby for them to dry off in. They are vulnerable when wet.

That's it for this month.  If you have any questions, you can call or come visit us. We are here 7 days a week, rain or shine!

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Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved.