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Watching
stately blue delphinium wave amidst ruby and ivory plumes of
astible is a patriotic Fourth of July display to rival any fireworks, and
you don't even have to wait for nightfall to enjoy it!
For
many gardeners July is the month when they can look around in
relief: their plants are in place and blooming their best. For
others of us, we start beating ourselves up: summer is well underway
and we are so far behind!
Whatever
your situation, remember that the number rule of gardening should be to
HAVE FUN. This is not a JOB; it's a JOY. Put your "to do" list
aside, and let yourself get caught up in the beauty of creation: amazing
hues and colors, clever little petals and fabulous fragrances.
Do what you can and just enjoy the precious blooms and breezes!
If
you have everything in place, then you probably know that July can be a
month to coast. All you have to do is pay attention to the
watering ( a couple of dry days can really take their toll) and knock down
those pesky weeds. Removing dead blooms and fertilizing heavy bloomers
(and other plants who look like they could use the help) can keep your
gardens looking their best. Heavy mulch can cut down on the day-to-
day weeding (freeing up more time for summer relaxation!) as well as help
your soil retain moisture when the heat index rises.
If
you are planning summer trips, you may want to make a note to
arrange for a neighbor to water your containers while you are gone.
If that isn't an option, moving your plants into the shade or an area
serviced by irrigation can help keep them going.
By
now your lilacs and some other spring flowering shrubs are done blooming
for the season. This is the time to prune those bushes back if they are
getting too large for your site.
If
you feel like your gardens are still missing a little something,
July can be a great time to take advantage of half-off sales at garden
centers and add some fun new surprises to your perennial collection or
boost up your garden's color wheel with some new annuals. Ask garden
center staff to recommend new perennials or check out some of the
links on this website. Before you buy, be sure to check tags to make sure
plants you want to see survive from year to year are labeled for Zone 4 or
lower. (If it's a sheltered area, you might be successful with Zone 5
cultivars.) New transplants will require more water than established
plants.
If
you have the ambition, you can keep planting throughout the month. This is
also a good month to visit back and forth with gardener friends to
talk about the plants you might want to divide and exchange in the fall.
Journaling
If
the idea appeals to you, try to take a few minutes to chronicle your
successes with notes or pictures in a journal or on a gardening blog.
Journals are lots of fun for comparing early, mid-season and late season
gardens and can give you some additional insight into the plants that seem
to do best at your house.
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