Coastal Region- Glen Payne
Indoor Plant Care
- Indoor plants may need to be repotted if roots are growing over the sides of their container. Repot in containers 2-4” larger in diameter than the current ones.
- Use a moisture meter to determine when it is time to water; overwatering can be just as detrimental to plant health as underwatering
- Fertilize once per month to ensure nutrients are available to potted plants.
- Move indoor plants around to ensure they are happy and receiving just the right amount of sunlight.
- Avoid placing indoor plants near air conditioning vents, which can dry plants out. For more information, see HGIC 1459, Indoor Plants- Watering.
Thigmotropic Growth in Vines
- Maypops, coral honeysuckle, & cucumbers are showing a high plant intelligence this summer, demonstrating positive thigmotropism (reaction to touch).
- These plants move toward a contact stimulus, having a weak root system, they coil around seeking support to continue to climb and grow.
Bumble bee covered in pollen on a Maypop (Passiflora incarnata).
Glen Payne, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Pollinators & Beneficial Insects
- Pollinators & Beneficial Insects have hatched out.
- Bees
- Ladybugs
- Syrphid flies
- Praying mantis
- Assassin bugs
- These insects are busy searching for food and, as a bonus, keeping plant material relatively pest-free.
- To learn more, see HGIC Beneficial Garden Insects.
Pest Activity Observed
- Viburnums: mild infestations of whiteflies & tea scale
- Hydrangeas: defending themselves against caterpillars, whiteflies, and fungus as rain has increased in the afternoons.
Summer Fruit and Vegetable Update
- Tomatoes, blueberries, & cucumbers are having a good year with a dry spring and afternoon rain in the best amounts tapering off at the perfect time for sweetness & harvesting.
- Citrus crops are sizing up with the late afternoon rains. Scale, white fly & nutrient deficiencies continue to be issues in the Lowcountry. For more information, see HGIC 2221, Citrus Insects & Related Pests.
Palm Tree Maintenance
- Lower leaves are appearing yellow & brown, translocating nutrients to new fronds.
- Remove cold damage & emerging seed pods.
- 2-3 new spears are emerging in the palm centers
- Fertilizing with 8-2-12 +Mg is beneficial now.
- Prune palm now until mid-August, check palm foliage for fungal issues and remove and dispose of older diseased fronds.
- HGIC 1019 Palms & Cycads
Lawn Fertilization
- Coastal turf can benefit from iron applications for green-up now that temperatures are above 80 °F.
- If performing split fertilizer applications, now is the time for a second application.
- Water in fertilizer & iron after application to avoid burning leaf blades and make good soil contact.
- HGIC 1201, Fertilizing Lawns
Midlands Region- Jackie Jordan
With temperatures heating up, it’s important to stay hydrated- the same goes for your plants.
Smart Watering Practices
- Irrigate deeply but infrequently and water pre-dawn. This will limit the amount of irrigation lost to evaporation.
- Top-dress plants with a ½-inch layer of compost:
- Improves water retention in sandy soils
- Enhances water availability for plants in heavier clay soils
- A 3-inch layer of mulch will help to keep roots cool, suppress weeds, and retain moisture.
Summer Pest Watch
- Scout for spider mites, which thrive in hot, dry weather and can harm many types of plants.
- Be on the lookout for chamberbitter.
- Hand-pulling and mowing are useful strategies for limiting seed production.
- Herbicides are most effective when applied to smaller plants.
Lawn Care Tips
- Raise the mowing height to improve drought tolerance.
- Leave grass clippings on the lawn to recycle nutrients to the soil.
- Never remove more than a 1/3 of the leaf blade at one time when mowing.
Garden Harvesting & Maintenance
- Harvest fruit, vegetables, and cut flowers early in the morning to preserve freshness.
- Bring the harvest indoors to cooler temperatures.
Succession Planting & Fall Prep
- If your beans develop rust, a second planting can be seeded out in July.
- Start yellow squash, zucchini, and other summer squash varieties indoors at the end of July for a fall crop.
- Begin planning and ordering seeds for your fall garden.
- Consider trying some bok choy and tat soi.
Flower Care
- Deadhead annual flowers in window boxes, containers and hanging baskets if they have stopped blooming.
- Deadhead rose bushes to encourage more blooms when the temperatures cool down.
Pineapple lily in bloom.
Jackie Jordan, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Gladiolus in bloom.
Jackie Jordan, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Dahlia in bloom.
Jackie Jordan, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Zinnia in bloom.
Jackie Jordan, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Hymenocallis in bloom.
Jackie Jordan, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Upstate Region – N. Jordan Franklin
July brings hot, humid, and sometimes dry conditions to the Upstate.
Stay Safe While Gardening
- Take care of yourself while gardening outdoors this month.
- Drink plenty of water, wear loose-fitting clothes, and sport a wide-brimmed hat.
- Try to work in the morning or evening to avoid the hottest parts of the day.
Watering Tips for July
- Providing plants with water is crucial this month.
- Most plants need an inch of water per week (including rainfall) for healthy growth.
- Gardeners with an irrigation system or an overhead sprinkler can easily determine how long it takes to apply one inch of water using tuna, cat food, or soup cans.
Avoiding Disease in Warm, Wet Conditions
- Many plant diseases thrive in warm, wet conditions.
- Water early in the morning, ideally finishing by 9:00 A.M.
- This gives plants time to dry throughout the day, reducing disease risk.
Turfgrass Fertilization Reminders
- Clemson Agricultural Service Lab Soil Reports recommend fertilizing warm-season turfgrasses this month:
- Bermudagrass
- Centipedegrass
- St. Augustinegrass
- Zoysiagrass
- Gardeners can apply nitrogen fertilizer on warm-season turfgrasses until August 15.
- Applying nitrogen fertilizer after August 15th may result in disease problems in the lawn.
Planting & Pest Control in the Vegetable Garden
- July is still a good time to plant several crops, such as:
- Okra
- Summer squash
- Pumpkins
- Beans
- Insect pests are very active during hot, humid conditions. Regularly scout plants to catch pests before they become a problem.
- Most garden pests can be controlled by sweeping insects into a bucket of soapy water or using insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Apply soaps and oils to plants early in the morning or late evening when beneficial insects are less active, while avoiding the hottest part of the day.
Providing plants with water is a crucial task during July.
Jordan Franklin, ©2025, Clemson Extension
Many garden pests can be controlled by sweeping insects into a bucket of soapy water.
Jordan Franklin, ©2025, Clemson Extension
