JULY

You can still plant if you have adequate irrigation or plan to water diligently.

Continue mowing weekly. It is best for the lawn to not cut grass below 3 inches tall. It is also better not to bag grass clippings. Leaving the clippings on the lawn saves work, adds organic matter and nitrogen to your soil, and does not contribute to thatch build-up.

Avoid mowing your lawn during extreme hot and dry weather.

Keep up with the weeding as necessary.  

Keep everything watered (including yourself).  If you have irrigation, irrigate the lawn between 12 a.m. and 6 a.m. These times allow for the least amount of loss from evaporation and drift from winds.

Start seeds for fall transplants of cool season vegetables like broccoli, cauliflower, and greens during the second half of July.

Fertilize your flowering plants every 7-10 days with a water soluble fertilizer (like Jack's) especially during dry spells and/or extreme heat. 

Remove spent flowers, and don't be afraid to trim back flowering perennials and annuals that look leggy or worn out. They will come back stronger and most will flower again.

Look out for spotted lanternfly adults. Get more information here.

Scout for Japanese beetles which often feed heavily in mid-late summer. Drown the beetles in a bucket of soapy water. 

Keep an eye out for active bagworm caterpillars.

Check yourself and others for ticks.  Here is a great resource in our area for information on ticks and tick-borne illnesses. 

Check your property for standing water which can be mosquito breeding sites. Eliminate these or dump coffee grounds in them if they cannot be drained. Here are some other mosquito control ideas.

Fertilize houseplants while they are actively growing.

Take time to enjoy the fruits (and vegetables and flowers!) of your labor!