Ornamentals

Remove infected leaves from roses. Pick up fallen leaves. Continue fungicidal sprays as needed.

Newly planted trees and shrubs should continue to be watered thoroughly, once a week.

Fertilize container plants every 2 weeks with a water soluble solution.

Keep deadheading spent annual flowers for continued bloom.

Perennials that have finished blooming should be deadheaded. Cut back the foliage some to encourage tidier appearance.

Plant zinnia seed by July 4th for late bloom in annual border.

Prune climbing roses and rambler roses after bloom.

Apply no fertilizers to trees and shrubs after July 4th. Fertilizing late may cause lush growth that is apt to winter kill.

With spider mite damage, leaves may be speckled above and yellowed below. Evergreen needles appear dull gray-green to yellow or brown.

Don't pinch mums after mid-July or you may delay flowering.

Vegetables

Blossom-end rot of tomato and peppers occurs when soil moisture is uneven. Water when soils begin to dry; maintain a 2-3 inch layer of mulch.

To minimize insect damage to squash and cucumber plants, try covering them with lightweight floating row covers. Remove covers once plants flower.

Dig potatoes when the tops die. Plant fall potatoes by the 15th.

For the fall garden, sow seeds of collards, kale, sweet corn and summer squash as earlier crops are harvested.

Sweet corn is ripe when the silks turn brown.

Harvest onions and garlic when the tops turn brown.

Keep cukes well watered. Drought conditions will cause bitter fruit.

Fruits

Cover grape clusters loosely with paper sacks to provide some protection from marauding birds.

Blackberries are ripening now.

Early peach varieties ripen now.

Apply second spray to trunks of peach trees for peach borers.

Prune out and destroy old fruiting canes of raspberries after harvest is complete.

Lawns

Water frequently enough to prevent wilting. Early morning irrigation allows turf to dry before nightfall and will reduce the chance of disease.

Monitor lawns for newly hatched white grubs. If damage is occurring, apply appropriate controls, following product label directions.

~Missouri Botanical Garden

For additional July tips from the Missouri Botanical Garden, please click here.

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