Gardening Tips: July

Manage watering, pests and heat

• Keep bird feeders clean! Wash seed feeders periodically with a mild bleach solution to control possible disease transmission. Clean hummingbird feeders at least weekly, and watch for mold.

• Be careful mowing and weedeating - do not damage tree bark

• Deadhead spent flowers from ornamental plants to encourage more blooms

• Plant cowpeas in bare garden areas as ‘green manure’ to enrich soil

• Water tomatoes deeply and evenly to avoid cracking after heavy rains

• Watch houseplants for insect infestations

• Control pests on summer vegetables and flowers:

  • Pick Japanese beetles off daily and drown in soapy water (beetle traps just draw more beetles!

  • Watch for aphids, white flies, fungal diseases and spider mites (control with Neem oil spray - be careful to follow package directions to avoid harm to pollinators and aquatic life)

  • Keep fig bushes well watered and mulched