July Garden Checklist from Avant Gardening
JULY GARDEN CHECKLIST
“I drifted into a summer-nap under the hot shade of July, serenaded by a cicadae lullaby, to drowsy-warm dreams of distant thunder.” – Terri Guillemets
Now that summer is in full swing, you may be tempted by that hammock in the shade, swaying gently in the breeze… Now should be the time to comfortably sit back for a moment and enjoy the fruits of your labor. But remember, there are still plenty of things to do in your garden – Don’t snooze for too long!
1. Harvest Your Garden Bounty
Many fruits and vegetables ripen up this month! Be sure to get in your garden to start picking and preserving your harvest – try making some salsa or pasta sauce to use up multiple different kinds of veggies. You can also plant a second round of vegetables to harvest in fall, consider: arugula, broccoli, chard, kale, lettuce, spinach, radish, carrots or green beans. If you have too much for your family to eat, consider donating extras to the Second Harvest Food Bank.
2. Don’t Forget Deadheading!
If you take some time to remove and prune off spent blooms, the plant can use that energy for more flower production versus seed. Deadheading encourages your perennials to re-bloom, extending their bloom time and providing a more attractive display overall.
3. Take Garden Walks
We are so lucky in Madison and Dane County to have gorgeous gardens overflowing with inspiration at our fingertips! Bring your sketchbook or camera along and document plant combinations that work, interesting cultivars that you may find, cool wildlife sightings, etc. The UW Arboretum, Allen Centennial Garden and Olbrich Botanical Gardens are all great places to find a huge variety of unique gardens that you could create in your home landscape.
4. Remember the Basics
July brings with it some of the hottest days of summer don’t forget to thoroughly water your container and vegetable gardens. If you have travel plans, ask a friend to water for you – the worst feeling is coming back from a great trip to find your beloved plants have all wilted due to neglect.
“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawn mower is broken.” – James Dent
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