July 1, 2022, 9:54 am | Read time: 5 minutes
High temperatures and the accompanying dryness pose significant challenges for garden plants. Therefore, in July, hobby gardeners should pay special attention to caring for their lawns, shrubs, and flowers.
In July, the garden blooms in every corner. However, there’s no time to put your feet up. July can bring long dry spells, making regular watering a top priority for garden tasks. The timing of watering is crucial. Hobby gardeners can find out what to consider at myHOMEBOOK.
Overview
Garden Tasks in July – Caring for Plants and Lawns
Plants
- Remove wilted flowers from perennials, fertilize, and prune them.
- Ivy can also be pruned if it grows too vigorously.
- July is also the right time to pinch out tomatoes in the garden.
- Daffodils can be divided.
- Dahlias benefit from support to grow strong.
- Roses need their last dose of fertilizer in July. Bulb and tuber plants also need some fertilizer at the beginning of July.
The top priority for plant care in July is watering. Plants need plenty of water–preferably in the morning or evening, and on particularly hot days, at both times. It’s important to water at the base of the plants, avoiding wetting the flowers and leaves.
In a hot and dry July, watering is one of the central gardening tasks. Even deep-rooted perennials and fruit trees need regular water now. Water your garden preferably in the morning. This allows plants to dry faster, reducing the risk of fungal growth in hot weather. For the same reason, water plants like roses at the base rather than from above. Water in several small portions to allow the soil to absorb the water more effectively.
Note: While heat and drought can be dangerous for many plants, these conditions are favorable for weeds. They typically thrive in the garden in July, so hobby gardeners need to weed regularly. Find more tips against lawn weeds here.
Soil and Lawn
Soil and lawn also need one thing above all in July: water. Especially in dry summers, consistent watering is essential. To help the lawn retain water longer, it also needs regular mowing. Until September, you can repair bare or burnt spots by reseeding.
The nutrients from the first fertilization are now depleted, so the lawn needs a boost. It’s important not to fertilize on hot, dry days. Ideally, it should rain during fertilization. If not, you can water the lawn thoroughly within 24 hours. If you don’t water, brown spots and holes can form, quickly filling with unwanted lawn weeds like couch grass.
Tip: Water the lawn less frequently but for longer periods. It’s good to have moisture reach about 6 inches deep. Sandy soils can handle a shower every three to four days. Heavier soils need it even less often but require more water.
What Hobby Gardeners Can Plant in July
- Early July: bush beans
- Until mid-July: endive
- Until the end of July: sugarloaf and Swiss chard
- End of July/early August: winter leeks
- Bearded iris
- Strawberries
- Radish
- Small beets, radishes, radish, turnips
- Spinach
- Autumn and winter lettuce
- Peas
- Fennel
- Chinese cabbage
- Radicchio
Tip: If you’ve planted herbs, you should reseed them regularly in July. This way, you can ensure a harvest into the fall.
Related: Which plants can be sown in July
Which Flowers Bloom in July?
- Gladiolus
- Dahlia
- Bellflower
- Cornflower
- Snapdragon
- Lily
- Delphinium
- Wild mallow
- Coreopsis
- Clematis
Prune climbing plants, young shrubs, and perennials that bloom twice a year vigorously after flowering. Early summer bloomers like delphinium, fleabane, lupines, or Turkish poppy should be cut back to the ground. Don’t forget to stake your autumn perennials to prevent them from bending. Deciduous hedges can also be pruned in July with hedge shears.
What Can Be Harvested in the Garden in July?
Hobby gardeners can harvest cucumbers and zucchini in July, among other things. It’s best to do this regularly to increase yield. Garlic is also ready for harvest–once the leaves turn yellow, the bulbs can be pulled from the ground. Save some of the harvested cloves for planting in October. Apricots, some apple varieties, strawberries, peaches, plums, cherries, raspberries, gooseberries, and currants are ready for picking. Here’s an overview of what’s ripe for harvest in July:
Fruit
- Berries (blueberries, strawberries, gooseberries, raspberries, currants)
- Apricots
- Peaches
- Mirabelle plums
- Cherries (sweet and sour)
- Melon
Vegetables
- Salad (iceberg, lettuce, lamb’s lettuce, radicchio, endive, arugula)
- Cabbage (cauliflower, red cabbage, white cabbage)
- Kohlrabi
- Spinach
- Broccoli
- Beans
- Carrots
- Radishes
- Peas
- Radish
- Celery
- Potatoes
- Onions (including spring onions)
Tip: Also check your plants for pests. Common pests include aphids, woolly aphids, vine weevils, and slugs. Remove pests like lily beetles and combat powdery mildew, black spot, and others.
Planting and care tips for radishes in the garden
How Savoy Cabbage Is Grown in the Garden
How to winterize the garden
Additional Garden Tasks in July
Owners of a garden pond have some extra tasks in July. Algae multiply quickly in high temperatures and regular sunlight, so they need to be skimmed off regularly to keep the pond clear and clean. July is also the right time to plant water lilies. Initially, they thrive in baskets in shallow areas. Once they form leaves, they can be moved to deeper areas.