MONTHLY GARDENING TIPS
Here’s what to do, what’s in bloom, and lots of tips and tricks for each month of the year! Check back each month to find new, seasonal tips for ornamental gardening, lawn care, edible gardening, and indoor plant care in the Pacific Northwest!
July Tips for PNW Gardeners
In the Garden
Deadhead your annuals to keep your plants producing new flowers. Pinching back leggy stems will also encourage bushiness.
Looking for Shrubs with Beautiful Summer Flowers & Foliage? See our favorites on the blog.
Mulch your garden beds with up to 3” of compost to help reduce weeds and keep moisture in the soil.
Your plants need water to thrive this summer. See the Best Watering Practices for the PNW and learn how to make setting up a Drip Irrigation System easy.
Read The Truth about Drought-Tolerant Plants. Even "drought-tolerant plants" need some water, especially in the first three years when they are becoming established in the garden.
Edible Gardening
Enjoy salads all summer long and into fall by planting leafy greens such as lettuce, arugula, Swiss chard, radicchio, and bok choy in July and August. Many of these greens prefer a bit of shade in the hot summer months.
Now is the time to sow seeds for fall carrots, beets, and peas (yes, you can grow a fall crop of peas in the PNW!) Learn more about Planting a Fall Vegetable Garden.
Greedy feeders like tomatoes, beets, and greens may need another round of fertilizing in July.
Be sure you are harvesting your fruits and veggies regularly! Summer edibles will produce more if picked at least 2-3 times per week.
Lawn Care
In summer, lawns need approximately 1 inch of irrigation per week to stay green and healthy.
If you plan to let your lawn go dormant this summer, a deep watering about once a month will keep it from dying back completely.
When mowing, remember that the height of the grass generally equals the depth of the roots, so keeping grass a little longer helps build a strong support system. Set your mower to medium height to avoid cutting off more than 30% at a time.
Indoor plants
Houseplants are growing actively right now. Fertilize them regularly and be sure to follow the directions on the product label for best results. Read about the Proper Care and Feeding of Indoor Plants on our blog.
Did you know many of your indoor plants would enjoy spending the summer outdoors? Expose them to the sun gradually by first putting them in a shady spot and increasing the amount of sun they receive by an hour or two every few days.
Summer is a good time to repot any houseplants that may be rootbound or need a soil refresher. See our Step-by-Step Guide to Repotting Plants.
Indoor plants have positive benefits on our physical and mental health. Learn more about the 7 Health Benefits of Houseplants.
Don’t have a green thumb? We can help! Try these 5 Easy Houseplants.