Things to Do in July

CRAPEMYRTLES - Prune spent flower blossoms and you'll prolong the flowering period. If the leaves appear dark and sooty or almost uniformly charcoal gray, you have sooty mold, the result of an aphid infestation in May/June. Spray now with horticultural oil according to label directions. Next year watch for and treat aphids in May. Powdery mildew is another problem of Crapemyrtles. Use Funginex, Banner, or Bayleton. Call for a bulletin on Crapemyrtles.

WEED IN THE COOL-COOL-COOL OF THE EVENING - If weeds have grown so large that pulling them will disturb roots of nearby garden plants, do the weeding in late afternoon or in cloudy weather. By so doing, you give nearby injured or disturbed plants time to repair the damage before they again face the hot summer sun.

EXCEPTIONAL PLANTS TO PLANT FOR FALL COLOR

Chrysanthemums - an excellent perennial flower for fall color. Plant rooted cuttings in flower beds, planters, or tubs on patio. Pinch out the tips of garden mums to encourage lower, compact plants with many flowers.

Copper Plant (Acalypha) - a bronze or copper-colored plant that thrives in full sun. Needs winter protection.

Alternanthera (Joseph's Coat) - a low, creeping annual that is very colorful in summer and fall.

Impatiens and Coleus - annuals of many different colors. Plant in partial shade.

Flowering cabbage (kale), Ornamental peppers and Jerusalem cherries are tender annuals grown from seed in the spring. (Keep Jerusalem cherries away from children; fruit is poisonous.)

Daylilies - Tubers of daylilies (Hmerocallis) may be planted at almost anytime of year but "take" well when planted in early spring or late summer. After 3-4 years they usually become crowded. Lift, divide, and replant when blooming has finished.

Pansy seed - Late in July, place pansy seed in the refrigerator (not home freezer) for 10-14 days. Then plant in rows in fertile soil.

SHADE TREES MAY NEED MORE WATER - Shade trees in declining health may simply be thirsty. Most of the water should be placed at the outer reaches of the root system (the "drip line") where the small root hairs which take up the soil moisture are located. When you water a tree, water deeply - apply sufficient water so the soil is quite moist to a depth of at least 8".

BAGWORMS ON EVERGREENS - Hand pick the bags. Pesticides are not effective once bags have been produced.

ROOT CUTTINGS OF AZALEA, CAMELLIA and HOLLY - Use a soil mix of equal parts peat moss and either perlite or sand. Make cuttings three to six inches long from current season's growth. Remove leaves from lower half of cutting and dip basal end in rooting hormone. Container with cuttings can be placed in a clear plastic bag or set in a cold frame. Place them out of direct sunlight. Keep soil moist.

DON'T BAG GRASS CLIPPINGS - Leave them on the lawn and save 25% on your fertilizer needs for the year. Clippings take up unnecessary landfill space and can be best disposed of in a home compost bin.

FESCUE naturally goes semi-dormant during extremes of hot and/or dry weather; it can survive 3 weeks without water. Water only when grass shows sign of wilt (footprints will show when grass is walked on). The most effective watering methods is to water to the point of runoff, turn off sprinkler to let water soak in, then water again, repeating until the root zone is wet. Unless the water reaches the roots where it is taken up by the plant, you waste both time and water. Water in early morning or late at night; late afternoon or early evening is the worst time to water as the grass stays wet for a longer time, encouraging diseases. See Cool Season Grasses.

PRUNE "BLEEDER" TREES, i.e. Maple, Birch and Dogwood. Remove suckers and water sprouts from trees.

Last revised April 7, 1998

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