July begins the hottest time of the year. Only August is hotter. Outdoor chores are really hard to perform in 90-100 degree weather. Early mornings are tolerable.

 

Lawn Care

Fertilize Bermuda with 12-3-6. Keep Fescue watered. Lawn schedule

Vegetable Gardens
Keep vegetables picked regularly to encourage more bloom production and therefore more food.  Squash, okra, cucumbers seem to go from an inch long to fully mature in just one day.  Look carefully at your tomato plants for horn worms (big, ugly, green caterpillars) camouflaged among the stems.  These worms can strip a limb in no time.  Carefully remove the horn worm because they produce a painful sting. Natural Guard® Neem Oil or Fertilome® Dipel Dust maybe used.  Plant a crop of green beans, tomatoes, and turnip greens.

Water
Trees and shrubs planted within the past year probably need supplemental water. Give plants a good soaking once a week rather teasing them with a little sprinkle here and there. Keep a good layer of mulch in beds and around trees. It's best to water in the morning to avoid evaporation and leaf spots from water droplets. Watering at night promotes disease and fungus.
 

Deadhead / Prune
Deadhead faded flowers of coneflower, black-eyed susan, daisies and other perennials to encourage a second bloom. Continuously cut back or deadhead annuals to promote new growth and fresh blooms all season.

Insects
Summer tends to bring all kinds of issues with insects and disease in the lawn and garden. One great product that packs a punch is Fertilome® Triple Action Plus. It treats for bugs, fungus and mites. Fertilome® Broad Spectrum Insecticide will keep your lawn free of common pests that make their way into our house (we all hate spiders!).

July Heat
During the hottest days of summer, some vegetables such as green beans, peppers, and tomatoes may drop their blooms. Geraniums and marigolds will stop flowering. Once it cools down, the plants will hold their blooms again. To reduce the effect of the heat, apply a three inch layer of mulch around plants and water regularly.