July is a crucial month for Pennsylvania gardens, where the summer heat truly sets in and the mid-year growing season reaches its peak. This article offers a detailed guide on what to do in your Pennsylvania garden in July, breaking down the information into five categories: vegetable gardens, lawn, landscape, containers, and flower gardens.
Vegetable Gardens
- Planting: This is a great time to plant your late summer vegetables, such as beans, cucumbers, and summer squash. Additionally, start preparing for the fall by sowing seeds of cool-weather vegetables like broccoli, cabbage, kale, and Brussels sprouts indoors.
- Harvesting: Tomatoes, peppers, summer squash, cucumbers, and early planted corn should be ready for harvesting.
- Maintenance: Regular watering and weed control are essential, especially during hot, dry periods. Utilize mulch to retain soil moisture and keep the roots cool. Be vigilant about pests and diseases; handpick any harmful insects and use organic pesticides when necessary.
Lawn
- Watering: Grass needs around 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage deep root growth.
- Mowing: Raise the mowing height to around 3 inches to minimize stress on the grass and reduce water loss from the soil.
- Fertilizing: Generally, fertilizing is not recommended in July as it can burn the lawn. If necessary, use a slow-release fertilizer.
Landscape
- Planting: July is not an ideal month for planting new shrubs and trees due to the heat, but if necessary, ensure ample water is provided to help the roots establish.
- Pruning: Remove spent blooms on perennials and summer-blooming shrubs to encourage new growth.
- Watering: Deep watering is essential, especially for newly planted trees and shrubs.
Containers
- Planting: Continue to plant summer flowers and herbs for a continuous display of color and freshness.
- Watering: Container plants dry out faster, so ensure they get water daily, especially on hot days.
- Fertilizing: Regular feeding is crucial for container plants. Use a water-soluble fertilizer at least once every two weeks.
Flower Gardens
- Planting: Continue planting annuals and summer-blooming perennials. For fall color, start sowing seeds of fall-blooming plants like asters and mums.
- Deadheading: Regularly remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms.
- Mulching: Mulch around plants to keep the soil cool, retain moisture, and suppress weeds.
Remember, July in Pennsylvania can often mean high heat and dry spells. It’s essential to prioritize watering all areas of your garden, but especially those with newly planted seeds or saplings. Continue to monitor for pests and disease, and most importantly, take time to enjoy the fruits of your labor in the serene beauty of your garden.
