Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations
Our spring member drive has ended, but it's not too late to give. You have the power to help fund the essential journalism that keeps us all informed. Help us close the gap on our spring fundraising goal! GIVE NOW

ASK AN EXPERT – How Does Your Garden Grow? Tips For July

Pixabay

It can be a challenge to keep gardens growing well as summer heats up, so Utah State University Extension’s Gardener’s Almanac provides a checklist of tasks to help your garden, grass and plants grow well in July. Also included are links for tips and further information.

July Checklist

  • Start enjoying the tomato harvest.
  • Side dress (fertilize)potatoes in the garden with nitrogen in early July.
  • Harvest summer squash and zucchini when they are still small and tender.
  • Deep water established trees and shrubs about once per month during the heat of summer.
  •  Deadhead (cut off) spent blossoms of perennial and annual flowers.
  •  Divide crowded iris or daylilies once they have finished blooming.
  •  Visit alpine areas for wildflower displays.
  • Remove water sprouts (vertical shoots in the canopy) of fruit trees to discourage regrowth and to reduce shading.
  • Renovate perennial strawberry beds by tearing out old crowns (mother plants) and applying fertilizer to stimulate new runners.
  • Turfgrass only needs 1 ½ to 2 inches of irrigation per week. Click here to learn about irrigation needs in your area

Pests and Problems

  • If tomatoes are not producing, it could be due to hot weather (95°F and above), which causes flower abortion.
  • Blossom end rot (black sunken areas on the end of tomatoes) is common and is caused by uneven watering.
  •  Check under leaves of pumpkins, melons and squash plants for squash bugs.
  •  Treat corn for corn earworm.
  •  Spider mites prefer dry, hot weather and affect many plants. Treat for spider mites by using “softer” solutions such as spraying them with a hard stream of water or by using an insecticidal soap. Spider mites can be identified by shaking leaves over a white piece of paper. If the small specs move, you have mites.
  •   Control codling moth in apples and pears to reduce wormy fruit. For specific timing, see our Utah Pests Advisories.

More information on USU Extension’s Gardeners Almanac can be found at extension.usu.edu/yard and garden