By Gary Crispell, NC State Extension Master Gardener^SM volunteer of Durham County

Greetings from the Hudson Valley of New York where it is wet and cool. Eat your hearts out. We are on a family trip back to the various “home places” of our youth(s). When we left, the Accidental Cottage Garden (ACG) was so very sad after breakfast. Not too bad before that, but after…. There is a plethora of things in bloom. Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp.) are the current dominant genus.

(Left to right) Black-eyed Susans (Rudbeckia spp.) and lilies (like this Lilium lancifolium) are the stars of the show in the ACG this July. (Image credit: Gary Crispell)

There are R. hirta of various cultivars, R. fulgida, and R. amplexicaulis. Also gracing the garden are purple cone flower (Echinacea purpurea), balloon flowers (Platycodon grandiflorus) which were spectacular this year, and corn flowers/bachelor’s buttons (Centaurea cyanus). The evening primrose (Oenothera lamarckiana). It was a prolific re-seeder last year, and now even after donating ten plants to the plant sale, I have I don’t know how many. If you want one (some?) let me know.

Purple cone flowers (Echinacea purpurea) and the abundant evening primroses (Oenothera lamarckiana) are definitely beating the heat. (Image credit: Gary Crispell)

The Chinese forget-me-nots (Cynoglossum amabile) are still contributing their delightful blue blossoms to the palette. Gallardia (G. pulchella), tiger lilies (Lilium lancifolium), and ‘Stargazer’ lilies (Lilium auratum ‘Stargazer’) round out the ACG’s offering for the moment. I’m sure those of you who have not already melted are ready for a break from the relentless heat and humidity. We shall attempt to send some relief, or perhaps bring it personally with us when we return. Until then, soldier on. There are still things that must be done in the garden (early in the morning, I
suppose).

Lawn Care

Warm season grasses (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine) can still be fertilized if you have not already done so. Mow these grasses by removing the top 1/3 of the new growth, down to a height of 2”-2 ½.” Mow cool season grasses to a height of 3”-4.” Lower than that stresses the grass and promotes weed growth.

Fertilizing

Planting

It is not too late (but getting there) to plant pumpkins, broccoli, beans, collards, carrots, Brussels sprouts, and even tomato plants. Start seeds for a fall garden. Sow cruciferous (cabbage, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, kale, etc.) seeds in starter pots to be transplanted into the garden in mid-August. Pot up or replant house plants in fresh soil.

Pruning

Trees that bleed when cut (maple, birch, elm, dogwood) can be pruned this month. Another “last call:” prune back overgrown or unshapely shrubbery and trees. Pruning after July is a no-no until December. Coniferous plants (produce seeds in cones) can be lightly pruned now. These plants frequently do not respond well to severe pruning, so be judicious. Keep garden mums pinched back until mid-month for fall blooms. Otherwise let ‘em go to flower as they please.

Spraying

There are critters out there that would delight in making a total disaster of your garden. Generally, by sucking the plants dry. Some of the most notorious ones (Their pictures should be on the walls at the Post Office.) include bagworms. You will have to remove the bags and (Owoo…gross) smush them. There are leaf miners (They can be found inside the leaves using little tiny pickaxes and microdroplets of trinitrotoluene.), spider mites (You’ll find them on the web—Sorry, couldn’t resist.), aphids, who like the new growth of anything green, lace bugs (Their great grandmothers taught them how to do that.), and Japanese beetles who prefer their sushi vegetarian style. Spray when appropriate using the proper chemical and following all the label instructions. Be aware of tomato blight and treat as necessary. Continue any rose, fruit tree, and/or bunch grape programs—like, ad infinitum. Veggie pests attempting to reduce your harvest include cucumber beetles (guess where), flea beetles (Nope, not there. Check the tomatoes, eggplants, and beans.), and aphids on all the above and all the rest of them, too.

Things to do that will improve the quality of your “What I did this summer” essay (I know you remember those) to the point where the teacher will read it to the end:

• July in the piedmont of North Carolina (and South Carolina and Georgia, for that matter) can be brutal. Your plants feel the heat as much as you do and require much the same treatment i.e. hydration, hydration, hydration. If Nature doesn’t provide it, it’s on you. At least an inch of water per week is necessary for continued good health. (For the plants. You probably need a bit more.)
• Build a cold frame or a greenhouse if you are feeling particularly ambitious. That will give you a place to play in the dirt all winter.
• Sip on a cool beverage in the shade (or in the AC, heat wimps).
• Chill (mentally, if not physically). July is a time to sit back (maybe with a water hose) and watch the garden flourish.

Happy Birthday, USofA.

Resources and Additional Information

For more information on planning for fall gardening, as well as year-round planting, see our previous blog post “Garden Veggies year Round: One Gardener’s Calendar,” by Kathryn Hamilton.

https://wp.me/p2nIr1-2F1

For all things lawn related, check out NCSU’s TurfFiles, a comprehensive how-to guide for caring for turf grass. There you can search by your warm or cool season grass type.

https://www.turffiles.ncsu.edu/grasses

Want to learn more about both beneficial insects and how to sustainably manage pest insects in your landscape? NCSU offers a one-stop shop resource on their website.

https://gardening.ces.ncsu.edu/integrated-pest-management/insects-2

Check out out previous blog post on how to control Japanese beetles in the garden.

Coping During Japanese Beetle “Season”

Article Short Link https://wp.me/p2nIr1-4G9