Planting

You can still plant shade trees during warmer months – just make sure you water the sufficiently. Palm trees should be planted between May and August.

Transplanting

The fall and winter months are the best time to transplant.

Fertilizing

Any young trees, trees in stress or trees in low vigor that were not fertilized in May should be fertilized at this time.

Pest Control

Watch for spider mites on conifers such as cedar and bald cypress. Look for needles or leaves in the interior of the tree to fade and turn brown. You can identify the mites by placing a piece of white paper under the limb, shake the limb vigorously and then look for tiny black spiders to fall onto the paper.

If you see gelatinous sap oozing from spots on the trunk of peaches, nectarines or plum trees it is peach tree borers and can be controlled by spraying the trunk of the tree with insecticide.

Pruning

This time of year suckers (vigorous, fast-growing shoots that originate low on the trunk or at soil level) need to be pruned flush with the trunk or at their point of origin – even if it’s below ground.

Water

The heat will make it necessary to water recently planted trees if rainfall is less than 1 to 1 ½ inches per week. Use a water hose and let it drip slowly for 30 to 45 minutes at the base of the tree. Watch the lawn to determine when to water older well-established trees. When the lawn looks thirsty it’s time to water shade trees as well. Use a lawn sprinkler and apply about an inch of water.

Planting

Container roses can still be planted but require deep watering whenever we go 5 – 7 days without a good rain of 1 to 1 ½ inches.

Transplanting

It is too warm to transplant roses successfully.

Fertilizing

July is generally not a good month to fertilize roses.

Pest Control

Blackspot, spider mites, leaf-cutter bees, caterpillars and beetles are the most common problems this time of the year.

Pruning

No pruning is required this month other than deadheading and pruning out diseased or dead growth.

Watering

Keep roses watered as needed to maintain a moist soil. Do not allow our roses to wilt before you water them. Mulching 3 to 4 inches deep reduces the required frequency of watering.

Planting

Continue to plant lawns despite the heat as long as you can give them adequate water.

Fertilizing

If you last fertilized in April you might fertilize again. Fertilizer will create a deeper green color.

Pest Control

Chinch bugs continue to be a problem.

Mowing

Mow regularly at recommended heights.

Watering

Do not water lightly every day, this encourages diseases and creates a shallow root system. Apply sufficient water when irrigating to reach a depth of 6 to 8 inches.

Planting

You can still plant shrubs successfully during the increasing heat. Just remember to monitor them closely and water them frequently.

Transplanting

This is not a good month to transplant.

Fertilizing

Fertilize established shrubs that were last fed in the spring. Especially shrubs that you want to grow as much and as fast as possible.

Pest Control

Sooty Mold – a black deposit on foliage indicates the presence of sucking insects. It is not attacking the shrub but is living off the excretions produced by the sucking insects such as aphids, whiteflies and scales.

Pruning

This is the last month for pruning spring-flowering shrubs, do not prune camellias – their flowerbuds for fall and winter bloom are already set.

Watering

Heat stresses shrubs and even well-established plants will need to be watered if rain does not occur for several days. Maintaining 3 to 4 inches of mulch year-round will help hold as much moisture in the soil as possible.

Planting

Use a root stimulator when planting perennials during the hot months of summer.

Transplanting

It is too hot to dig, divide and move existing plants.

Fertilizing

Only perennials in active growth should be fertilized.

Pest Control

Continue to watch for the same pests as you did in June.

Pruning

Dead head flowers to keep your garden looking fresher. Use plant supports to help hold up weight of the plants and blooms.

Watering

Perennial beds require more water than what we can do by hand. Use soaker hoses drip irrigation or sprinklers and leave them on long enough for the water to moisten the soil about 4 to 6 inches down.

Planting

You might need to change out some of the annuals you planted in the spring that can’t handle the heat of July and August. There are some varieties of annuals that perform very well in heat – portulaca, vinca, and more.

Fertilizing

Continue to fertilize container plants with a soluble fertilizer.

Pest Control

Watch for pests and treat them accordingly.

Watering

Water as needed depending on how much rainfall is received.