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Texas Gardener: What to Do in July
Beat the heat with sun-loving blooms, pest control, good lawn care and sun protection. Pick up the pace for planting and planning
Houzz Contributor. I'm a landscape designer and freelance garden writer living in hot and humid Austin, Texas. I co-authored "Indoor Plant Decor: The Design Stylebook for Houseplants" (St. Lynn's Press) with Kylee Baumle. Follow me on Twitter @MulchMaven or on my Facebook page, J. Peterson Garden Design.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a landscape designer and freelance garden writer... More »
By this time in a Texas summer, we are in the midst of 100-plus degree days, rain is sporadic, and the air is heavy. If you feel like melting under these conditions, your garden probably feels the same. But we Texans (zones 8a, 8b, 9a) are a tough crowd, and so are our gardens. Just take a little extra care, and your summer garden can remain lush, green and healthy throughout the growing season.
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by jenny_hardgrave
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| Plant heat-loving flowers: There are many colorful flowers that will take our Texas heat and laugh it off. To add a refreshing color to your summer garden, plant zinnias, ageratum, Blue daze, periwinkle, wax begonia, portulaca, purslane and torenia. Be sure to plant them in areas where they will receive the appropriate amount of sun or shade, and water them well after planting to get them established. |
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Watch out for garden bugs: Summer is party season for many garden pests and diseases such as spider mites, leaf rollers, aphids, chinch bugs, fleas, ticks, chiggers, grubs, scale, powdery mildew and webworms. Some ornamental plants, such as roses, are especially susceptible to aphids and powdery mildew, so stay on top of these problems before they take their toll in your garden.
To manage pests, start with the least invasive methods possible — handpicking them or hitting them with a hard spray of water. If they aren't causing too much damage, you may opt to leave them be, but if they begin ravaging your tomatoes or ruining your lawn, be sure you identify the pest or disease you are dealing with before you treat with any chemicals. Your local county extension office or trusted nursery will be able to help you identify the problem and choose an appropriate treatment.
To manage pests, start with the least invasive methods possible — handpicking them or hitting them with a hard spray of water. If they aren't causing too much damage, you may opt to leave them be, but if they begin ravaging your tomatoes or ruining your lawn, be sure you identify the pest or disease you are dealing with before you treat with any chemicals. Your local county extension office or trusted nursery will be able to help you identify the problem and choose an appropriate treatment.
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| Plant vegetables and herbs: Plan for your harvest garden by planting pumpkins and sweet potatoes from early to mid July, and planting corn, eggplant and peppers from mid to late July. If you are sowing seeds, be sure to check the back of the seed packet for information regarding how many days it takes for that particular plant to reach maturity and begin yielding produce. Basil, oregano and thyme are bulletproof herbs to plant from 4-inch nursery transplants. Try some more unusual varieties like spicy globe basil, cinnamon basil, Thai basil, lemon thyme, coconut thyme, pink lemonade thyme, hot and spicy oregano, and Greek oregano. |
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| Protect yourself from the heat: If you are planning to work outside in the garden, remember to protect yourself from the heat and sun. Drink a lot of water, apply sunscreen, wear gloves and don a wide-brimmed hat to shield your face and neck. Sunglasses are also helpful in protecting your eyes from the strong Texas sun. |
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| Complete a garden project: Construct an arbor for your garden entryway, build a trellis to showcase a climbing rose, lay a pathway to make walking through the garden easier or create some decorative plant markers. Have one long-term and several short-term projects going to keep your energy and interest level high in July — your garden will thank you at the end of the season. |
Plan your autumn garden: It's not too early to get a head start on your fall garden. Plot it out on graph paper, create plant lists, remove perennial weeds before tilling the new bed, and add compost or fertilizer to enrich your soil. Step outside the expected and mix up your edible plants like herbs and vegetables, along with your ornamental plants and flowers.
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Practice good lawn maintenance: Mow your lawn at the suggested height for the grass type that you have, and never remove more than a third of the total height of your lawn in one mowing. Be sure your lawn mower blade is sharp in order to make clean cuts, and keep your mower in good working condition during the season when it's used the most.
Water less often but more deeply to encourage deep grass roots; they will come in handy during our typically dry summers. Always follow any water restrictions or watering guidelines for your area, but consider adding a rain sensor to your automatic irrigation system. It will automatically turn off your system if you've had rain so your lawn is not overwatered.
Water less often but more deeply to encourage deep grass roots; they will come in handy during our typically dry summers. Always follow any water restrictions or watering guidelines for your area, but consider adding a rain sensor to your automatic irrigation system. It will automatically turn off your system if you've had rain so your lawn is not overwatered.
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Feed the birds: And while you're at it, house them and water them, too. Add birdbaths to your garden, and make sure they are kept clean and filled with fresh water. Bird seed can be stored in feeders, and birdhouses are great places for birds to nest and raise their young. If you have pets like cats and dogs, keep an eye on them when they are out in the yard to ensure your garden birds' safety.
See more Southwest garden guides
See more Southwest garden guides
Ideabook published on June 30, 2012.
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