Summer is in full swing, and your Fayetteville garden needs a little extra TLC to thrive in the heat. Here are our top tips to keep your landscape happy, healthy, and blooming this July:
1. Water Wisely
Water deeply and early in the morning to reduce evaporation and help moisture reach the roots. Skip daily watering unless it’s absolutely necessary—instead, aim for a good soak once or twice a week. Drip irrigation and soaker hoses are great tools to help you conserve water while keeping your plants hydrated.
2. Mulch Matters
A 2–3 inch layer of mulch (like pine straw, wood chips, or shredded bark) helps retain moisture, keeps roots cool, and blocks weeds from taking over. It’s a summer garden essential!
3. Feed Mid-Season
Many plants appreciate a nutritional boost mid-summer. Apply a slow-release fertilizer or side-dress with compost to support strong blooms and continued growth, especially for heavy feeders like tomatoes, peppers, and roses.
4. Prune & Deadhead
Keep your garden looking neat and blooming strong by removing spent flowers and lightly trimming back overgrown perennials. You can also pinch back mums and other fall bloomers early in the month to encourage bushier growth.
5. Watch for Pests
Japanese beetles, spider mites, aphids, and squash bugs are common this time of year. Keep an eye out and use organic treatments or hand-pick pests when possible. Also, be on the lookout for signs of fungal disease and water early in the day to reduce humidity around your plants.
6. Harvest Regularly
Keep your veggie garden productive by harvesting often! Pick tomatoes, cucumbers, beans, and squash frequently to encourage more growth and keep pests at bay.
7. Plant with Heat in Mind
You can still plant in July—just choose wisely! Go for heat-tolerant annuals like zinnias, lantana, and celosia, or plant fast-growing veggies like okra, pole beans, and squash for a late-summer harvest.
8. Prep for Fall
Late July is a great time to start seeds for your fall garden. Begin indoors with crops like broccoli, cabbage, and collards so they’re ready to transplant in August. Don’t forget to amend your soil now with compost to set the stage for success.
9. Lawn & Landscape Care
Keep fescue lawns mowed at around 3 inches to shade the soil and hold in moisture. Alternate mowing patterns to avoid compaction. Hold off on fertilizing fescue until fall, and avoid heavy pruning on spring-blooming shrubs right now.
10. Work Smart in the Heat
Always garden during cooler hours—early morning or late afternoon. Wear sunscreen, drink plenty of water, and don’t forget your hat!
Need help with landscape maintenance or planning a new garden bed? Give Green Biz a call for expert advice, quality plants, and professional landscaping services right here in Fayetteville.
Happy gardening! 🌱