Welcome to our July Gardening Checklist for the Mid-Atlantic region! July brings the peak of summer, with long, sunny days and warm nights. This month is all about maintaining your garden’s health during the hottest part of the year. With proper care, your garden can continue to thrive and produce bountifully despite the heat. From watering strategies to pest control and harvesting tips, this checklist will help you keep your garden in top shape. Let’s explore the essential tasks for a successful July garden!

July Gardening Checklist:

ANNUALS:

Water and fertilize regularly! This is a hot month and watering is essential.
Deadhead annual flowers to encourage new blooms. Not all annuals require deadheading but cutting flowers will produce more blooms when frequently deadheaded.
Shear back any leggy annuals – Lantana and Melampodium generally both benefit from a summer trim.
Pests are active now too and you are better off pulling out annuals that are infected and disguarding them, than trying to salvage them for the rest of the season.
Direct sow another round of warm-season cutting flowers for continued blooms through the first frost – sunflowers are an option

BULBS:

Plant fall bulbs and water well to develop good rooting.
Cut stems of Lilies (before flowers open) to enjoy inside.
Cut Dahlias when flowers are fully open.
Cut Gladiolas when color is visible but before flower has opened.
Order or purchase spring-blooming bulbs for fall planting. Rule of thumb: order more than you think you need.
Continue applying deer repellant.

PERENNIALS + ORNAMENTAL GRASSES:

Destroy any Japanese beetles. Collect them into a bucket of soapy water.
Look for leafminer damage. (S-shaped patterns on leaves). Cut away infected areas to the ground.
Water if drought is happening.
Deadhead perennials.
Continue applying deer, rabbit and squirrel repellants.
If plants are flopping open from the center, cut them back by half.
Cut back daylilies to the ground if foliage is looking ratty, they will regrow.
Pinch mums to delay flowering.
Take note around the garden for signs that plants need fertilizer. Plants may be showing signs of hunger if leaves are yellowing. Feed with liquid organic fertilizer or spread slow release fertilizer and then be sure to water well.

GROUNDCOVERS:

Water ground covers if rain has been sparse.
Be on the look out for pests like Japanese beetles and munching animals.
Apply repellants and consider switching brands every couple months to prevent the animals from getting familiar.

SHRUBS:

Water newly planted shrubs and be mindful of mature shrubs too when drought is present.
Deadhead rose shrubs or cut them back after the first flush of bloom, thus encouraging a big second flowering of the season.
Spray with organic neem oil if pests are present.

TREES:

Water newly planted trees but also be mindful of older trees too. During hot days allow a hose to run on the root zone for 10-15minutes.
Prune water sprouts from flowering ornamental and fruit trees. These are the branches that grow straight up and are non-fruiting branches. Cut back to nearest horizontal branch.
Complete any summer pruning now. Don’t prune after July as this could trigger new growth that won’t have time to harden off before winter.

TURFGRASS:

Regularly check for pest and disease problems. Brown patch, fairy ring and other diseases begin to show up.

VEGETABLES + HERBS:

WATER, WATER, WATER!
Groom herbs by cutting away flowers to encourage more leaves and not flowers.
Cilantro is now bolted and can be removed for compost.

VINES:

Water vines during times of excessive heat.
Deadhead climbing roses.
Prune back out-of-control vines, such as Morning glory and hummingbird vines, they will grow back.
Fertilize vines growing in containers as their root systems are getting large and taking up room. Frequent watering will have leached out nutrients from the soil.

As we navigate through the height of summer, your garden’s needs are ever-changing. By following this July checklist, you can ensure your plants remain healthy and productive despite the heat. Remember, regular maintenance and observation are crucial during this time. Enjoy the fruits (and vegetables) of your labor and the beauty of a well-tended garden. Happy gardening, and join us next month for more seasonal tips and tasks to keep your garden flourishing all year long!

Keep checking back monthly for your gardening checklist. In the meantime browse our gardening page for ideas, information and inspiration!