July is peak garden-glory season. At this time of year gardens are not only full of colour, but the scent of flowers such as roses and sweet peas fills the air, especially towards the end of the day. It’s the perfect time for an impromptu evening party! But there’s still plenty to do to keep things blooming beautifully. Here’s a closer look at some July gardening jobs to tackle this month, and how to do it without breaking a sweat (well… maybe just a little one!).
July Gardening Jobs
At this time of year work in the garden can be done at a slower pace, and if the weather is hot you will probably need to water some of your plants, particularly trees and shrubs that were planted last autumn and winter. Water early in the morning or in the evening when it’s cooler. That way, less water evaporates and more gets to the roots. Aim the water at the base, not over the leaves – especially for things like tomatoes to prevent blight. A deep soak a couple of times a week is better than a daily sprinkle. If you can, use mulch such as bark or pebbles around thirsty plants to help keep the moisture in the soil for longer.
However, cultivated plants can’t survive on water and sunshine alone. If some of your plants, particularly container-grown plants, have weak growth, or fewer flowers or fruit than normal, it can be because of a deficiency in nutrients – nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. If your plants are looking unhealthy, an important July gardening job is to give them a boost with a fertiliser. You can buy these in a garden centre in organic or inorganic forms. Organic fertilisers are plant- and animal-derived products, such as bonemeal, seaweed extract, and blood, fish and bone. These products are broken down in the soil before the elements they contain can be absorbed by the plants’ roots so they are longer acting. For a more instant ‘boost’, inorganic fertilisers, once dissolved in water, are immediately available to plants. However, because they don’t need soil bacteria to break them down they do nothing for the long-term health of the soil. I use a mixture of organic and inorganic ferlilisers in my garden. For plants in containers, a liquid feed every couple of weeks is best to keep them flowering all summer long.
July Lawn Advice
Continue to mow grass regularly during this month to encourage good growth. Mowing is a vital July gardening job and the best way to ensure you have a good lawn and reduces weeds. Once a week is fine but for a really good lawn, twice a week. During dry weather, raise the blades of the mower and mow less often. The grass is best left a little longer during dry periods because it will not be growing as vigorously. If it’s very dry leave the clippings on the lawn to act as a mulch and help reduce moisture loss.
Don’t water established lawns unless absolutely necessary. They will turn brown in hot weather but it’s not worth wasting water on them, as the grass will soon recover in the autumn. Give the lawn a liquid feed unless you did so in June. Most lawns will benefit from a quick boost and there are many types of product on the market.
If possible, allow an area of your lawn to grow a bit longer for our garden wildlife. Some people leave the edges longer, or, if there’s the space, creating a meadow area where the grass isn’t cut back until later in the year is time saving and hugely beneficial for the environment.
More July Gardening Jobs
In warm weather, pests and diseases can rapidly become a problem. Check under leaves and around new growth. If you spot a small infestation of aphids, you can squish them gently with your fingers (gross but effective), or spray them with a mix of water and a dash of washing-up liquid. Try to avoid harsh chemicals – they also harm your friendly garden guests like ladybirds and bees 🐞🐝.
There are various sprays available from garden centres to deal with infestations, but the best way is to build up biodiversity in the garden by planting a variety of species. This way you will attract beneficial insects and other wildlife, the aim being to have a healthy balance between your friends and foes. It takes effort and motivation to create a truly sustainable garden but in the long term it’s possible to achieve a healthier garden.
Planning Ahead: Another July Gardening Job
We gardeners should always be planning for the season ahead so another of the July gardening jobs is to order spring-flowering bulbs online. There are some great bargains to be had. Look for a selection that will give you colour from the earliest snowdrop all the way through to alliums and camassias, that have only just finished flowering.
