In a normal gardening calendar year, the month of July starts to ease off as far as the flurry of Spring activity is concerned. Most hardy garden shrubs and perennials have finished growing their first flush of growth and are quite happy to slow things down a little and allow the first growth to harden and mature a little.
Alstroemeria Ligtu Hybrid
This is not so with tender perennials such as Dahlias and Late flowering perennials such as the Salvias. If growing conditions are right - ie plenty of food and water - they will still be sending out the growths that will bear the later flowers.
Most propagation by seed and cuttings will be avoided in this month, as the heat and sunlight will be too intense to allow successful propagation. In short, July in the garden tend to start slowing down. For those with large lawns, this will be relief!
July in the garden is a reward for all the work that was done earlier in the year - or even last Autumn. It is a good month to stand back (a little) and admire the display of flowers and foliage - the fruits of your hard work. This is not to say that there is nothing to do tis month. Just that it is a month where you can reflect a little, on what has been done - good and bad, and assess what has to be done.
The month of July in the garden, takes a different direction as far day to day tasks are concerned. 'Maintenance' tends to take over from the initial work of growing and planting. Garden centres will all realise that this July month sees the start of a rather severe drop off in trade. Many will have to start clearing some of their stock - both to get rid of it before it becomes worthless, and also to start setting the scene for the forthcoming Autumn season. Autumn may not start in your gardening mind and in your garden until late September. In the garden centre, the first of the spring flowering bulbs will start to appear on shelves in the middle of next month!
Water when necessary - and ONLY when necessary. Do this in the evenings or early morning. Try not to splash the larger flowers as they tend to take longer to dry out, and there could be the possibility of scorch from magnified water droplets!
Feeding Plants but ensure that you uses the right feed. Liquid feeds at this time of year are best - and quick acting. Generally, it is not a good idea to feed plants when they are in full flower. Do NOT feed plants when the are dry. Water the soil well before and after feeding.
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