From the experts at Cropley’s Garden Center in Bolton, CT
As the heart of summer settles over Connecticut, our gardens are alive with color, fragrance, and the hum of busy pollinators. The gardens we’ve carefully tended since spring are now at their peak. While July is a month to relax and enjoy the fruits of our labor, there are still essential tasks that need to be undertaken to ensure the health and beauty of our gardens throughout the rest of the season. Here at Cropley’s Garden Center, we’ve put together a list of key gardening tasks for this vibrant month.
1. Hydrate, Hydrate, Hydrate Connecticut summers can be hot, and occasional droughts make proper watering crucial. Early morning is the best time to water your plants to minimize evaporation and to prevent the spread of disease. Consider installing a drip irrigation system for a more effective and water-efficient method of keeping your plants hydrated.
2. Keep on Top of Weeds With the sun beating down and watering needs increased, weeds can quickly take over if not kept in check. Regularly hoeing and hand-pulling weeds prevents them from setting seed and taking over the garden. A thick layer of mulch can also help suppress weed growth and keep plant roots cool.
3. Prune Summer-Flowering Shrubs Once your summer-flowering shrubs like hydrangeas and spireas have bloomed, give them a good prune. This encourages healthy growth and ensures an impressive display of flowers next year.
4. Deadhead Flowers Remove spent blooms from your flowers regularly. This not only keeps your garden looking neat but also encourages the plant to focus its energy on producing more blooms rather than seed production.
5. Harvest Regularly If you’re growing fruits and vegetables, regular harvesting keeps plants productive. From beans to zucchinis, berries to tomatoes, pick your produce as soon as it’s ripe to encourage more to grow.
6. Look Out for Pests and Diseases Be vigilant about pests and diseases. From Japanese beetles to powdery mildew, summer pests and diseases can quickly take hold. Use environmentally friendly solutions wherever possible and remember, a healthy plant is the best defense against pests and diseases.
7. Plan for Fall While it might seem early, July is the perfect time to start thinking about your fall garden. Start planning and ordering fall bulbs and seeds, and consider sowing fall crops like kale and cabbage towards the end of the month.
8. Feed Your Plants Your plants are growing rapidly and using up lots of energy. Help them out by applying a slow-release granular fertilizer or regular liquid feedings.
9. Enjoy Your Garden Don’t forget to take a break and appreciate the beauty of your garden. Whether you’re sitting back with a cold drink, hosting a barbeque, or simply strolling around your plants, remember that gardening is as much about joy as it is about work.
Remember, the team at Cropley’s Garden Center is always here to help with your gardening needs. Stop by for tools, plants, and expert advice to make your July garden flourish. Here’s to the joy of July and the pleasures of summer gardening in Connecticut!