By Shirley Miller
Master Gardener
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July

Gardening Tasks Reminder

F ertilize:
Give warm season grasses a boost by applying Nitrogen only fertilizer this month. Do not apply fertilizer to cool season grasses this month. Wait until September when the weather has cooled.

Keep fertilizing mums. Fertilize shrubs including Crape Myrtle. Fertilize annuals after shearing back.

When fertilizing, do not apply directly in contact with plant roots or leaves.

W ater:
Water plants deeply and early in the morning. If it has not rained recently, remember plants need 1 ½ to 2 inches of water each week. Get to know your soil. If your garden has clay soil, let it dry out between watering so it won’t become sour. It is better to water less frequently and more slowly so that the moisture will soak in.

Irrigation is especially important on newly planted trees and shrubs. Water two-year-old plants deeply every two weeks and more mature plants each three weeks.

Uneven watering can elevate levels of the chemical that makes cucumbers bitter. This, in turn, attracts cucumber beetles.

Heat stressed plants have less water in their tissue and are more likely to be burned by pesticides. Water and wait several hours before applying pesticides.

M ulch:
Mulch at this time of the year accomplishes many things. Mulch helps retain moisture. Mulch keeps the soil temperature cool and therefore the roots of plants. Mulch helps control weeds. Apply 2 to 4 inches of mulch to your vegetable garden, flowers, shrubs and young trees. You may use hay, wheat straw, chopped up leaves, cottonseed hulls, etc. Do not mulch with sphagnum peat moss. It acts as a sponge and draws moisture from the soil.

Cut back cannas for continuing bloom. Remove spent blooms and a new flower cluster will appear from this stalk. When the second cluster has bloomed, cut the stalk, leaving some leaves. New canes will produce more buds.

Continue to dead-head perennials and annuals. Shear petunias back, apply fertilizer and plants will re-bloom with fresh vigor. Prune roses by one-third now for more beautiful bloom this fall.

P rune:
Stop pruning azaleas now. Buds are beginning to form for next year’s bloom. Pinch back mums for the last time.

Prune back old canes of Raspberries and Blackberries that have fruited.

P lant:
Sew seeds of perennials such as Foxglove, English Daisy and Sweet William now for next year’s growth.

Sew seeds of zinnia as late as July 4th. Time for the last planting of gladiolas. Plant red spider lily and surprise lily for flowers later.

Start planning your fall garden.

P ests:
Spider mites love hot, dry weather. Try a good strong spray of water from your hose to help control these pests.

To control black spot on roses, spray weekly with a fungicide. Keep the rose bed cleared of dropped leaves contaminated with fungus.

Control caterpillars and webworms. Master Gardeners can help with the proper chemical recommendations.

If you must spray pesticides on vegetables, check the label for appropriate use. Be sure to check “days to harvest” for waiting period after spraying

For a long-lasting bouquet, pick flowers early in the morning.

T ips:
  • Summer weather is hard on turf. Mow frequently and at the proper height. Do not remove more than 1/3 grass height at one time. Proper summer height for Bermuda is 2 inches. Mow Fescue and other cool season grasses to 2 ½ to 3 inches. Keep the lawn mower blade sharp to reduce shredding the leaf.

  • To catch weeds missed by pre-emergence application, apply a broadleaf weed killer. Master Gardeners will be happy to recommend the proper chemical for your type of grass and the current weather conditions.

  • During dry periods, trees shed up to 10 percent of their leaves. This shedding reduces water loss through transmutation and causes little or no harm to the tree.

  • Most slicing tomatoes will not set fruit when temperatures reach the 90-degree mark. Remove suckers from tomatoes, root, and plant for a fall crop.

  • Make fall garden plantings in late July. OSU Fact Sheet 6009 gives planting recommendations.

  • Weeds compete directly with your plant for water and nutrients. Many weeds are prone to severe insect infestation. Remove weeds before maturity to avoid re-seeding for next year.

  • Be careful not to cultivate too deeply, which can result in injury to plant roots. Azaleas have especially shallow feeder roots.

Contact the Master Gardeners at the Tulsa County Extension for more information.

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URI:/calendars/caltips_jul.shtml   Date Modified:Monday, 26-Oct-2009 17:44:58 EDT   Friday, 03-Sep-2010 14:30:18 GMT