July Gardening 

July is a hot and dry month in the South.  Attention to supplying water in adequate amounts is of paramount importance.  Soak the ground deeply when you do water, then give no more for several days. 

Seeds of fast-growing annuals may be sown this month.  Annuals in this group include marigolds, celosias, calendulas, ageratums, phlox drummondii, zinnias, nasturtiums, and nicotianas.  Also coleus, cosmos, gaillardia, sunflower and tithonia. 

Keep chrysanthemums growing by feeding them every 2 to 3 weeks.  Pinch them back as this will encourage bushy growth and delays flowering.  It is also a good idea to stake them before they get too tall.  Be careful to watch for pests and diseases. 

Towards the end of the month, you can sow seeds of biennials such as foxgloves, canterbury bells and hollyhocks. 

Give roses a short rest at the end of  this month.  Do not fertilize now, but keep them sprayed or dusted to control pests and diseases. 

If you grow iris in your garden, you may lift them now to divide and transplant.  As daylilies stop blooming, they may also be lifted and divided.  Dividing daylilies promotes more bloom next season.  What a great time to share with other gardeners! 

Remember the wonderful displays of colorful pumpkins last year?  If you want to produce a big pumpkin for Halloween, now is the time to plant it. 

Soperton gardens are simply beautiful now.  Just take a ride around town and enjoy the myriad flowers in bloom.  The crepe myrtles are putting on a show...especially the pink one behind the Treutlen Medical Center; and the new white ones lining the park in town are lovely. 

Remember.  Continue to deadhead for longer garden bloom.

See you outside.  (I'll be the one in the big sun hat!)