JULY Gardening To-Do List

Now’s the time to start seeds of cool-season vegetables for fall growing
Rogue out (remove) virus-infected plants from the garden and control leaf-hopping insects to prevent virus spread
By pruning off faded blooms from annuals, you can prevent seed formation and coax additional flowers
Mulch flowerbeds with dried grass clipping or compost to maintain moisture and reduce weeds
Save maintenance and water by allowing perennial rye and Kentucky blue grass lawns to go dormant during the summer
Raspberries are ripe when they pull readily from the central core
Prune water sprouts (upright, vigorous shoots) from apple trees
Avoid deep cultivation around shallow rooted trees and shrubs such as evergreens
Add a water-soluble fertilizer to hanging baskets and patio pots every 2 weeks to keep plants blooming their best
Cut flowers for drying at their prime or when just opening

Add one last planting of gladioli bulbs for flowers into fall
Harvest veggies as soon as they’re ripe to encourage further production
Avoid the sight of a weed-infested garden: weed first before you leave on vacation
Harvest sweet corn when silks are brown and punctured kernels produce a milky juice
Prevent blossom-end rot on tomatoes by providing plants with at least an inch of water each week
Let melons ripen on the vine — this is where they will develop their best flavor
Start fall garden transplants from seed
Petunias, coleus and other summer annuals might be leggy by now
Pinch them back just above a leaf to encourage bushy growth and more flowers
Leave faded flowers on those plants that form ornamental seed heads, pods, or berries
Provide water in a shallow pan or birdbath for your feathered and fluttering friends

Remove annuals with stunted or unusual color; these are usually virus infected and the disease can spread to neighboring healthy plants
To control disease on fruit trees, maintain a summer spray schedule
Clean hummingbird feeders filled with nectar solution regularly to ward off mold and bacteria
Consider drip irrigation and/or soaker hoses for watering in the flowerbed and vegetable garden
Bats help control mosquitoes; attract these friendly mammals with bat houses
Muskmelons and cantaloupes are ready for picking when the stem “slips” easily from the fruit with gentle pressure
Harvest veggies as soon as they’re ripe to encourage additional production
Sharp mower blades prevent leaf blade damage and lawn stress
Prevent diseases on susceptible rose varieties: apply fungicide every 7-10 days
Lanky annuals need your help! Pinch them back now to encourage bushy growth and more flowers