July 2020

Water lawns and gardens three times a week depending on temperatures, wind and rainfall.
Water established trees slowly and deeply once a week.
Water fruit trees three times a week as they continue to develop fruit.
Water shrubs three times a week.
Water plants in containers three times week depending on pot size and temperatures.
New plantings will require more water the first year.
Use rain barrels to collect water from the monsoon rains.
Inspect and repair drip irrigation as necessary.

Continue to fertilize houseplants with a good water-soluble fertilizer. Be sure not to over-fertilize or over-water houseplants and never fertilize a sick plant.
Fertilize annual container gardens with a high-phosphorus blooming formula weekly for continued blooms throughout the summer.
Fertilize vegetables with a good organic vegetable food.
Fertilize roses with a slow release fertilizer.
Do not fertilize cool season lawns in temperatures over 85 degrees.

Continue to plant flowering annuals and perennials in your garden for colorful flowers all summer.
Plant up or refresh containers with annuals, perennials and/or small shrubs. Remember the saying, “Thriller, Filler and Spiller!”
Plant native trees, shrubs and perennials for beautiful low-water xeric landscape.
Plant iris and daylilies.
Mow established lawns weekly. In hot weather, mow to 2-3 inches high.
Kill weeds with a good weed killer.
Continue to remove spent flower blossoms from roses and flowering plants to promote repeat flowering.
Refresh mulches as necessary to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Make sure you have finished pruning your spring flowering shrubs by mid-month.

Keep an eye out for aphids, spider mites and other insects. Eliminate as needed.
Use BT to prevent damage on your plants from budworms (in geraniums and petunias) and tomato horn worm on tomato plants.
Add calcium to prevent blossom end rot. Most good tomato fertilizers with have calcium in them.
Check roses and foliage for powdery mildew and other diseases.
Spray fruit trees with a good fruit tree spray to prevent insects and diseases. Read the labels. Fruit trees are developing fruit so keep your trees hydrated and fertilize according to the label.
Bring in samples of insects or damaged plants to our pharmacy in plastic baggies for solutions to problem areas. We can also identify plants for you!
Apply chelated iron or soil acidifier with iron to chlorosis-prone trees and shrubs, chitalpa, maples, aspens, willows, euonymus, photinia and other non-native trees and shrubs.
Treat for bores on trees by saturating the trunk of the tree with a good borer killer.