By Claudette Sims, Halton Master Gardener
Keep things blooming
Cut back early blooming perennials, e.g. hardy geraniums and delphiniums after the first flush of flowers to encourage new growth and blooms. Shorten stems of fall flowering plants like asters, mums, Joe-Pye weed and goldenrod to keep them sturdy and compact. Trim just above a set of leaves. Deadhead spent flowers by pinching or cutting with scissors to encourage blooming and branching.
Common milkweed
Trim back some of your common milkweed (Asclepias syriaca) stems
the second or third week of July to stimulate new, young growth which is more attractive to monarchs for egg-laying.
Lawn
Mow high (3”/7.5 cm) to shade out weeds. Leave the clippings on the grass to return nutrients and water to the soil. Let the lawn go dormant in dry hot spells (it may yellow) by watering only every other week. Water dormant grass if the blades don’t spring back when you walk on it or if they fold to show their lighter blueish green underside. Do not fertilize in July. Learn more about summer care of lawns.
Water spring-planted trees/shrubs regularly, avoiding the hottest part of the day. Water existing trees less frequently, but deeply. Water at the base of plants, not foliage, or use soaker hoses. Stop watering garlic two to three weeks before harvest. Harvest when tops turn brown (about mid-July).
Weeds
Target removal of seedheads to reduce the seed bank for next year. Check this Ontario Weed Photo Gallery to help ID weeds and find management options.
Veggies
Water during dry or hot weather to avoid stressing plants. Do not over fertilize tomatoes as it can lead to blossom end rot. Snip herbs to encourage new bushy growth. Add these plants near your veggies to attract beneficial insects.
Pests
Identify the “pest” before taking action. That pest may be a butterfly caterpillar or a beneficial insect which keeps your garden in balance. For problem pests, start with a strong spray from your garden hose to knock them off. Others can be knocked into a bucket of soapy water.
Enjoy and assess
Grab your favourite drink and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of a living space. Congratulate yourself for creating a garden whose beauty isn’t just “petal deep, but goes into the soil and back into the air for miles around on the backs and legs of insects” (Benjamin Vogt).
