July Gardening in the Piedmont

July Gardening Tasks in Mecklenburg County,

SE Piedmont

The North Carolina Cooperative Extension, Mecklenburg County Center, is located at: 1418 Armory Drive Charlotte, NC 28204 (Telephone: 704.336.2082)

Perennials, Annuals, Bulbs

Divide and transplant Daylilies, Irises and Peonies after they finish blooming (every couple of years). Divide older bearded iris rhizomes; cut out the woody parts and replant the rest. How to Divide Irises
Before mid-month July, take a third of growth off fall-blooming perennials to encourage abundant flowers and compact growth;
Lightly fertilize ever-blooming and fall-blooming roses for their autumn display.
Don’t pinch back mums or dahlias after July 1 or you may disrupt their fall blooming show.
Pinch leggy shoots of Begonias, Coleus and Geraniums to create more shapely plants.
By mid-month, prune Hydrangea Macrophylla and Gardenias as blooms fade.
Transplant and divide with care - keep transplants moist.
To speed new growth, lightly fertilize perennials after pruning.
Make a final pinching of fall bloomers, such as Chrysanthemums and Asters.
Columbine should be cut back to the ground when all flowering is finished so that fresh foliage will develop.
Remove spent flowers from perennials and annuals to promote plant vigor and growth.
Remove canna flower stalks when seeds begin to develop.
Prune crowded perennials and deadhead to keep them in their space and control reseeding.
Plant seeds of Foxglove, Butterfly Weed, Shasta Daisies, Yarrow, Purple Coneflower, and Black-Eyed Susans now.
Inspect plants regularly—aphids, beetles, thrips and white flies are at their worst this month.
Japanese beetles continue to eat their way through our yards; hand pick and drown in a bucket of soapy water.

Vegetables

Pick beans, squash and tomatoes regularly to increase production;
For sweetness, pick peas and corn late in the day (when they contain the most sugar, especially if the day was cool and sunny; other vegetables like lettuce and cucumbers are crisper and tastier if harvested in the morning
Through August start seeds indoors for collards, spinach, cabbage, broccoli and cauliflower
Remove lower suckers on tomatoes and lightly fertilize to keep production going
Plant tomatoes for fall.
Plants of Collards and Brussel Sprouts can be set out mid-July.
Plant beans and carrots now.

Herbs and Fruits in How To Grow

Strawberries may have finished producing, but keep them mulched and add light fertilizer for next year’s crop.
Herbs begin to mature this month—the best time to harvest them for peak flavor/scent is early morning after the dew is dry. more on Herbs-cultivation, cooking, uses
Reap what you’ve grown. If you have more than you need, share with friends or a nearby retirement or assisted living center.

Lawn & Landscaping

Remember to change directions when mowing—go east to west one mowing, and then switch to north to south (or on a diagonal) for the next.
During droughts: Either apply one inch of water per week or allow grass to go dormant. Water a dormant lawn every three weeks.
Do not fertilize cool-season lawns until September.
It is a good idea to submit your soil samples for analysis this month, to determine nutrient requirements for application this fall. Most of the year (generally April through November), routine NCDA&CS soil tests are provided at "no direct cost" to North Carolina residents. Soil Test How To
Watch for brown patch and continue checking for grubs.

Trees, Shrubs & Groundcovers

Fertilize trees and shrubs for the last time this year.
Spring flowering shrubs should not be pruned after July 15th.
Continue staking tall trees/shrubs before they fall over.
Mulch to conserve moisture. Do not crowd or pack mulch around lower stems and trunks.
Scout landscape plants such as Japanese maple, Leyland cypress and junipers for bagworms forming, and apply an insecticide labeled for bagworms.
Bags may also be picked off and burned later in the season, if legally allowed in your area.
Prune “bleeder” trees (maple, dogwood, birch and elm) this month, if needed.
Remove spent crepe myrtle and buddleia blossoms to prolong the flowering period.
Take semi-hard cuttings now from aucuba, azalea, buddleia, camellia, clematis, nandina, gardenia, holly, kerria, Confederate rose and weigela.
If shrubs need light trimming, don’t wait any longer; the tender re-growth could be killed back over winter.
Hot, dry weather favors powdery mildew. As soon as you notice the disease, spray every 7-14 days (according to label directions).
Spider mites are another problem during hot and dry weather; reduce their numbers with horticultural oil or spray insecticidal soap.

More to do....always!

Don’t forget the sunscreen. Wear a hat, and remember to drink water while working outside for extended periods! Read more Smart + Safe in Summer Heat

Heat Wave Tips

Full sun, heat loving perennials thrive at the Independence Park Extension office.
(Joe Pye left) Near the roadside, xeriscape plants are loving this HOT, dry time of year.

Heat Wave Tips for Your Garden
Top 10 Heat Survival Plans

We like Tomatoes

See tomatoes growing in raised beds at Independence Park. Harvests are used in Extension Sustainable Living cooking classes.

A Tomato Primer
the Basics of Growing Tomatoes

The Tomato Wars Heirlooms Vs. Hybrids

Extreme Heat Tips

During conditions of extreme heat, these simple tips can help keep both YOU and YOUR garden healthy. Lengthy doses of daytime temperatures in the 90s and low 100s coupled with nighttime temperatures above 75°F are enough to push even the hardiest gardeners and plants to the edge of capabilities.
Garden Smart + Safe During Summer Heat

Growing Perennial Herbs

Growing Perennial Herbs
Herbs are useful plants even the beginning gardener can grow with success. Growing herbs is much less demanding than growing vegetables. The amateur gardener can grow herbs successfully by following a few rules.

Soil Test

How to do a Soil Sample for Testing
A soil test report gives you precise nutrient requirements for the soil type and plant type in your situation.
Where to get a Soil Test Kit in Mecklenburg County
Cooperative Extension Center, 1418 Armory Drive, NC 28204,
and locations in Mecklenburg county.

Got GARDEN questions? Get answers!
The more you know, the more you can grow.
growing & gardening in the Southeast
Mecklenburg Extension Master Gardener℠ Volunteers
mastergardenersmecklenburg.org

July Gardening Tasks in Mecklenburg County, SE Piedmont