Perennials:

• When planting in August keep making additions. Don’t be afraid of expanding this time of year. For instance, dig and divide iris poppies and other spring-blooming perennials.
• Mulch perennial gardens if you haven’t done so yet. Use evergreen needles if you have them. This will keep beds moist and cool.
• Don’t do any fertilizing. This will cause problems with survival during the winter months.
• Keep watering, especially new plantings. They require about an inch of water a week.
• Continue deadheading to prevent reseeding and to prolong blooming.

Shrubs:

• Check all shrubs for water stress. Prioritize if water bans come in order.
• Overwatering plants suffer root rot, shallow watered plants are more susceptible to drought. Monitor closely.
• Replenish mulch in August with a 2-to-3-inch layer. Do not bury the crowns.
• No fertilizing is needed in August here either.

Lawns:

• Don’t kill the yard. Keep mowing at 3 to 3 ½ inches. Cut newly sod grass as soon as it is well-rooted. The early part of the month is focused on sustaining the lawn.
• Proper care, whether the grass is dormant or growing, will help the lawn survive the heat and drought.
• As temps cool, you will notice the improvement in the health and appearance of your lawn.
• An established irrigated lawn should receive 1 inch of water when it shows signs of wilting.

If you have any doubts or lawn care questions, stop in and talk to a Heritage Hill Nursery representative.

Perennials:

• Depending on how much or how little rain your area receives, droughts can be devastating on gardens.
• Shallow watering early in the season can be a problem in July when the roots of plants are not accustomed to searching deeply for water.
• In July, water deeply, but no more than once per week during dry spells.
• To cut down on potential disease and to reduce water lost to evaporation, water early in the day or morning.
• Keep in mind to top off watering in your garden regularly to make up for evaporation.
• Remember, July can be beautiful, but the heat may be brutal.

Shrubs:

• Just like June, July is a good time to prune shrubs that have already bloomed!
• It is what is needed for future growth. It is also a good month to trim hedges. This keeps the hedge looking full and lush all season long.

Lawns:

• Fertilizing in July. Pay attention. Only irrigated and highly managed lawns can be fertilized this month.
• Do not fertilize dormant or non-irrigated lawns in July as it can damage or kill the grass.
• Also, as July sets in and drier conditions normally persist, you may not need to cut the grass as often. Keep this in mind and enjoy your yard!

If you have any doubts or lawn care questions, stop in and talk to a Heritage Hill Nursery representative.