Maintaining a healthy landscape during the summer months is challenging, but when done correctly, it will reward you with a luscious, vibrant garden that you’ll fall in love with every day.
As temperatures rise, the demands on your garden increase, making proper care and maintenance crucial to ensure a thriving and beautiful landscape. With the right strategies, you can keep your garden lush and vibrant even during the year's hottest months.
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6 Watering and Irrigation Tips
If you want your garden to flourish in the summer months, you first need to learn proper watering techniques during drought season.
One of the first steps in maintaining a healthy landscape during July is to be aware of any drought restrictions in your community. To find out about local drought restrictions, check out your water company’s website, ask your HOA, follow the water conservation association’s social media, or call your local landscape expert.
These restrictions are designed to conserve water during low rainfall and high demand. Adhering to these guidelines helps the environment and ensures the responsible use of water resources.
During the summer, watering your garden efficiently is vital to keeping your plants hydrated without wasting water. Water all your summer annuals deeply and mindfully to prevent them from wilting due to the intense summer heat.
Fruiting plants, in particular, require more water during high temperatures. Adding a deep layer of mulch underneath fruit trees and other fruiting plants helps retain moisture and reduces the need for frequent watering. This technique is helpful if your community has stringent watering restrictions.
To maximize the effectiveness of your irrigation system and prevent water runoff, it’s crucial to time each zone of your sprinklers appropriately. While dousing your lawn with water during summer months might be tempting, it might cause you more harm than good.
High precipitation spray nozzles can cause water to run off the lawn if applied too quickly. By timing your irrigation cycles, you allow the water to soak into the soil, providing better hydration for your plants.
Watering lawn areas four days per week is recommended during July when a drought is more likely to occur. However, you should cut your run times by 20% when a drought is confirmed. This adjustment helps conserve water while still providing your lawn with the necessary hydration to stay healthy and green.
Drip irrigation systems are highly effective in conserving water during high-demand months. By watering the roots directly, these systems avoid wasteful evaporation and runoff.
You could also consider installing a weather-based irrigation controller. These controllers adjust watering schedules based on local weather conditions, ensuring that your garden receives the optimal amount of water without waste.
Mulching is an essential practice for conserving water and maintaining soil health. Adding a mulch layer around your plants reduces evaporation, modifies soil temperature, and prevents weed growth.
The Model Water Efficient Landscape Ordinance (MWELO) regulations emphasize the importance of mulching in promoting water efficiency in landscapes. Adhering to these regulations can help you achieve a sustainable and water-efficient garden.
5 Plant Care Tips
Now that you know how to water your lawn and garden during the summer months, let’s look at some practical July planting tips.
If your garden has bare spaces, July is the perfect time to plant summer-blooming flowers, such as Alyssum, Cosmos, Petunia, and Zinnia. These vibrant blooms not only add color to your landscape but also attract pollinators, enhancing the overall health of your garden.
Early fertilization will protect your citrus plant’s roots from the July heat and keep them strong. Water thoroughly after applying fertilizer to help the nutrients reach the roots. This practice promotes healthy growth and abundant fruit production.
If you planted summer vegetables earlier this year, harvesting them at their peak flavor is crucial for enjoying the fruits of your labor.
Monitor your plants daily, looking for signs of ripeness such as vibrant color and firm texture.
Pick vegetables promptly to encourage further growth and prevent overripening.
Proper timing ensures you get the best taste and nutritional value from your home-grown produce.
Many flowers reach their peak fragrance and beauty during the summer months. To enjoy fresh-cut flowers indoors:
Harvest flowers in the early morning when their stems have the highest moisture content.
Re-cut the stems immediately before placing them in a vase to prolong their freshness and beauty.
Pruning spring-blooming perennials encourages regrowth and reblooming, keeping your garden vibrant throughout the summer. Deadheading, the process of removing spent flowers, is another technique to promote healthy flower growth during summer. Plants are encouraged to direct their energy toward producing new flowers instead of seed formation by cutting off faded or dead blooms.
However, be wary of heavy pruning and deadheading during drought conditions, as new growth will require more water. Properly timed and executed deadheading can produce a more prolific and extended blooming season.
Pest Control Tips
Many plants bloom in summer. As these plants blossom, they also attract pests that will bug your home. Here are some tips to keep these insects in check.
Monitor Pest Population Regularly
Insect pests proliferate during hot weather, making it essential to monitor your garden regularly. Treat pests as soon as their populations become noticeable to prevent them from causing significant damage.
If you’re conscious about using pesticides, you can use natural, non-toxic alternatives (e.g., neem oil, peppermint oil, and castile soap) to control their population without harming your plants.
Leverage Natural Predators
Introducing natural predators is one of the most effective and environmentally friendly ways to control pests. For example, releasing lady beetles (ladybugs) can help control aphid populations. These beneficial insects keep pest numbers in check without chemical pesticides.
Lawn Maintenance Tips
Follow these practical tips to maintain a healthy lawn during summer.
Be Careful When Using Weed Whackers
When using a weed whacker, exercise caution around trees. Weed whackers can damage tree trunks, potentially leading to the tree’s decline or even death. Protect the base of your trees by keeping a safe distance when trimming around them.
Mow Your Lawn Regularly
Mowing your lawn at the correct height is crucial for maintaining its health. During the summer, continue mowing at 3″ to 3.5″. Additionally, sharpen your mower blades often to ensure a clean cut every time.
July Garden Checklist
Keeping a schedule of maintenance tasks for your garden or lawn is a great way to hold yourself accountable for the wellness of your landscape. A weekly, monthly, and seasonal checklist is a practical way to track landscaping tasks.
Here are some weekly tasks to add to your July landscaping checklist:
Inspect for pests and diseases once a week.
Mow and edge your lawn weekly.
We recommend you do these tasks every month for the rest of the summer:
Prune shrubs and hedges.
Fertilize lawns and flower beds.
Check, repair, and maintain irrigation systems.
Do these extra steps at least once in July or other summer months to keep your landscape healthy:
Prepare for mid-summer planting of ornamental plants.
Assess soil health and make necessary amendments.
When In Doubt, Reach Out to A Professional
If maintaining your landscape seems overwhelming, or you want more gardening and landscape tips, don't hesitate to contact your local landscape experts. Call Gardenworks Inc. at (707) 857-2050 for professional advice and services. Whether you need help with a specific issue or want to enhance your garden's beauty and functionality, our team is here to assist you with expert knowledge and care.