Gardening Tips for July: Keeping Your Garden Thriving During The Summer

As we get into the peak of summer, giving your garden some extra TLC is essential to keep it thriving and looking beautiful.

During the last few years, I have enjoyed gardening and spending time outside caring for my lawn and garden; I find it relaxing and rewarding. 

This year, I learned how to mow the grass, and I find it so satisfying. I love doing it and look forward to it every couple of weeks. 

In this post, I am sharing some practical gardening tips for the summer to help you maintain a lovely garden all year.

Watering Wisely

• Early Morning Watering: Water your plants early in the morning to reduce evaporation and allow them to absorb moisture before the day’s heat.
• Efficient Irrigation: Use soaker hoses or drip irrigation to minimize water wastage and ensure deep watering, reaching the roots effectively.
• Note: Always check for water regulations in your city and adhere to their rules and schedules.

Mulching

• Retain Moisture: Apply a layer of mulch around plants to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Do this once a year at the start of the summer. Organic mulches like straw, wood chips, or compost will decompose and improve soil fertility.

Deadheading and Pruning

• Encourage New Blooms: Regularly deadhead flowering plants to encourage new blooms and extend the flowering period. Prune summer-flowering shrubs after they have finished blooming to promote healthy growth and shape.

Pest Control

• Monitor for Pests: Look for pests like aphids, spider mites, and caterpillars. Use organic pest control methods like neem oil or insecticidal soap if you are dealing with a pest. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings that prey on harmful pests to manage your garden’s ecosystem naturally.

Fertilizing

• Balanced Nutrition: Feed your plants a balanced, slow-release fertilizer to support their growth during the active summer months. You can also use compost or organic fertilizers to provide essential nutrients and improve soil health.

Harvesting

• Regular Harvests: Harvest vegetables and fruits regularly to encourage continuous production. Pick crops like tomatoes, cucumbers, and beans frequently. Remember that early morning is the best time to harvest herbs for maximum flavour.

Weed Control

• Regular Weeding: Keep weeds under control by pulling them out regularly or using a hoe to prevent them from taking over your garden. Mulching can also help reduce weed growth, making garden maintenance more manageable, so be sure to mulch early in the summer. I use a couple of tools like these ones to make the job easier.

Lawn Care

• Proper Mowing: Mow your lawn regularly, but avoid cutting it too short. Leave the grass a bit longer to retain moisture and stay healthy, especially during droughts. 
• Deep Watering: Water the lawn deeply and less frequently to promote deep root growth and ensure a resilient lawn.
• Aerate your Lawn: I purchased a manual aerator this year and spent some time aerating my lawn. It makes a world of difference when it comes to letting oxygen, water and important nutrients reach the roots so your grass can become lush, green and healthy. I highly recommend you do this at least once a year. 

Shade Protection

• Protect Sensitive Plants: During the hottest parts of the day, use shade cloth or garden umbrellas to provide shade for heat-sensitive plants.
• Move Containers: If container plants show signs of heat stress, move them to shaded areas to prevent wilting and damage.

Planning for Fall

• Fall Garden Prep: Start planning and planting for the fall garden. Sow seeds for cool-season crops like broccoli, kale, and carrots.
• Cover Crops: Consider planting cover crops to enrich the soil and prevent erosion over the winter months.

These tips will help your garden stay lush and vibrant all summer long. Enjoy the beauty of nature, fresh air, and sunshine as you garden and spend time outdoors.

xo