This Month in Your Garden – July 2024

Coastal Region – Christopher Burtt

Water is essential. This time of year can bring inconsistent rainfall, and with the heat, supplemental irrigation may be needed. Make sure to water deeply but infrequently when irrigating. This is determined by soil type and plant needs.

  • Turf: Apply a second (or third) application (if necessary) of turf fertilizer. Follow soil result guidelines for appropriate ratios. Do not exceed 1lb of actual Nitrogen per 1000 sq ft per application to avoid waste and burning.
    Monitor the water needs of the grass and irrigate during times of drought stress. Generally, an inch per week of rainfall satisfies the water needs of a healthy lawn.
    Look for Grey Leaf Spot on St. Augustine lawn during humid weather, as it becomes an increasing problem. Most fungicides labeled for turf will control this disease.
  • Pruning and Fertilizing: Cut back herbs, including basil, mint, & oregano, keeping them compact. Continue to deadhead flowers such as roses. Trim impatiens, giving them new life through late summer/fall.
  • Planting: Plant gladioli bulbs every ten days until the end of the month for a succession of blooms and cut flowers into the fall. Start a second crop of vegetables and begin planning a fall garden. Lima and Pole Beans can be planted now. Many cool-season vegetables can be started for the fall, such as collards, kale, and cabbage.
  • Insect and Disease issues: Regular scouting is essential to stay ahead of various concerns in the garden. Check regularly for bacterial wilt on tomatoes, eggplant, & peppers.
    Examine fresh shoots for aphid clusters and black mold. Look for spider mites, which cause yellow-bronze stripes on leaves.
    Check for weak looking, stunted growth plants, which may indicate nematode damage.
  • Harvesting: Continue to harvest fruits and vegetables as they become ripe. Be sure to harvest in the morning before the heat of the day for the best quality.
    Follow your garden journal for appropriate harvest dates. Mid-season Blueberries should be ripening. For vegetables such as okra and squash, be sure to harvest continuously to avoid overripe fruit.
Mealy bugs.

Mealy bugs.
Christopher Burtt, ©2024, Clemson University

Drought stressed plant.

Drought stressed plant.
Christopher Burtt, ©2024, Clemson University

Diseased hydrangea.

Diseased hydrangea.
Christopher Burtt, ©2024, Clemson University

Midlands Region – Carmen Ketron

      • Most lawns will benefit from a second and final fertilizer application in July. Find specific recommendations in individual soil analysis reports. It is vital to have a way to water in the fertilizer if there is no rain in the forecast.
      • While your plants may be thriving, giving them a heavy trim now can bring about another flush of growth. This is especially beneficial for leggy window box plants, overgrown herbs, and flowering summer annuals like impatiens, calibrachoa, and petunias. A good trim not only promotes new growth but also keeps the overall plant tidy.
      • Fertilize your summer container plants. Even if they grow in a potting mix with a slow-release fertilizer, a water-soluble or liquid complete fertilizer will help their appearance as they take up more nutrients in the growing season.
      • The heat and sporadic rain this summer have stressed many home landscape plants. It’s crucial not to neglect perennial plants, shrubs, and trees, even well-established ones. During drought periods, they will struggle without supplemental watering. Provide one inch of water to the shrubs and small trees that do not receive regular irrigation. This should be a deep, slow watering that reaches all around the plant. Remember, the larger the plant specimen, the more water it will need to adequately provide 1 inch of water to the entire root system.
      • Japanese beetles are a persistent pest this time of year. The best thing for a homeowner to do is to knock them off into a bucket of soapy water and get a plan together to control the grub populations throughout the following year.
      • Too much produce in your garden can seem overwhelming, but it is a great excuse to practice your pickle relish and chow chow combinations.
Trimming back leafy herbs such as basil improves plant healthy and vigor.

Trimming back leafy herbs such as basil improves plant healthy and vigor.
Carmen Ketron, ©2024, Clemson University

Deadhead blooming summer flowers to encourage continuous blooming.

Deadhead blooming summer flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
Carmen Ketron, ©2024, Clemson University

Pickle and can excess summer produce for later.

Pickle and can excess summer produce for later.
Carmen Ketron, ©2024, Clemson University

Summer plants can get out of hand quickly, heavy trimming is suggested to manage plants effectively.

Summer plants can get out of hand quickly, heavy trimming is suggested to manage plants effectively.
Carmen Ketron, ©2024, Clemson University

Upstate Region – Briana Naumuk

      • Japanese beetles continue to plague the landscape, causing damage to plants. The best way to control light infestations is by handpicking the beetles and putting them into soapy water. Grub killers should be applied this month to help control a second generation. See HGIC 2156 White Grub Control for more information.
      • Continue to deadhead perennials. You can fill in empty flower bed space with quick growing flowers like cleome, sunflowers, and zinnias.
      • Most blueberries are ripe and ready for picking. Late-season varieties will ripen into July. Pick blueberries when dry to reduce potential damage to the berries.
      • Peaches should be monitored for fruit-eating pests. Apples should be monitored for fruit rots and fungal diseases. Remove damaged fruits and dispose of them to help. Bagging the fruits when they are small can help deter pests.
      • Begin planning for your fall garden, especially if you are planning on starting seeds for cole crops like cabbage, broccoli, and cauliflower.
      • Make sure you are scouting vegetable gardens for insect pests, squash bugs, and aphids. Take care of garden pests with a horticultural oil or insecticidal soaps.
      • Look out for tomato hornworms and remove them by hand.
      • Make sure you are irrigating your lawn properly, especially during drought conditions. Water trees and shrubs that have been planted in the spring to help ensure they are able to thrive in the landscape.
An example of Japanese beetle damage on roses.

An example of Japanese beetle damage on roses.
Briana Naumuk, ©2024, Clemson Extension

Zinnias can be a great addition to the garden, whether they are in a pot or in a flower bed.

Zinnias can be a great addition to the garden, whether they are in a pot or in a flower bed.
Briana Naumuk, ©2024, Clemson Extension

These banana peppers are ready for harvest.

These banana peppers are ready for harvest.
Briana Naumuk, ©2024, Clemson Extension

If this document didn’t answer your questions, please contact HGIC at hgic@clemson.edu or 1-888-656-9988.

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