Container Gardens
As we move into July it’s important to remember to fertilize our container gardens. These pots and containers hold a limited amount of soil which in turn can only hold a limited amount of nutrients. Feeding with a water-soluble fertilizer or adding a slow release fertilizer will help give these plants the much-needed energy to keep blooming and growing throughout the rest of the summer. Also, as summer progresses some plants can start looking at bit straggly or overgrown. Don’t be afraid to give petunias, calibrachoa or any trailing plant a bit of a trim if needed. In the case of blooming annuals this will help produce more flowers. If some plants are just not doing well in the containers considering removing them and replacing or just let the other plants fill in around the empty space.
Vegetable Gardens
Growing your own vegetables has seen a tremendous resurgence this past spring.
Just like the container gardens, giving your vegetable plants some organic fertilizer will help produce a great crop of peppers, tomatoes, cucumbers or anything else you may be growing.
Once we get to the end of July and early August a second crop of cool season veggies such as lettuce, peas, kale, spinach, radish and beets to name a few can be seeded directly in the garden to give you a fall crop of homegrown goodness.
Landscaping
Summer is an excellent time to plant shrubs, shrub roses, evergreens, trees and perennials, whether it’s a full-on landscaping project or just freshening areas of your yard. The most important thing to keep in mind is to make sure plants are adequately watered during the hot days of summer. A thick layer of cypress mulch or wood chips around your landscape plants will decrease the amount of water needed plus help control weeds. Perennials, shrubs and trees can be successfully planted until early November. Evergreens should be in the ground in early October. Be sure to keep newly installed plants well-watered until the ground freezes.
Swiss Shard
Easily started from seed in late July or early August swiss chard can be grown in the vegetable garden or in planters. It thrives during cool fall temperatures.
Catmint (Nepeta)
A favorite for three reasons. Blue flowers bring the color of the sky into the garden. Trim back a bit after the first blooms have faded and it will rebloom all summer. It’s a pollinator magnet. They love it!
Summer Crush Hydrangea
Introduced in 2019 by Minnesota’s own Bailey Nurseries, Summer Crush Hydrangea makes a great addition to the landscape with its bright raspberry red flowers. If you’re looking for a different look, grow these plants in decorative containers during the summer months.