July/ August Gardening Tips

Clear pond water can be achieved with proper plant balance. If the pond is in full sun, 50 – 70% of its surface must be covered with foliage such as floating heart, water hyacinth, water poppy, water lily, or lotus.

Underwater grasses produce oxygen, helping to maintain D.O. levels. Grasses will improve water clarity by using Nitrate. Following are some easy guidelines to know when to figure out how many grasses are needed:

1 clump of grass per 1 sq.ft. of surface area for ponds less than 25sq. ft.

1 clump of grass per 2 sq.ft. of surface area for pond larger than 25 sq.ft.

Time to fertilize all water lilies and lotus once a month to keep them blooming continuously throughout the season.

Lotuses are great plants for container water gardens on a deck or patio. Whisky barrels make a perfect container for these types of water gardens.

Tropical water lilies make a spectacular show of color for any water garden. Whereas hardy water lilies bloom only once during the day, tropical varieties, which are considered annuals in this area, include day and night bloomers. This makes it possible to enjoy the bloom in the late afternoon and evening. Day blooming tropical water lilies bloom heavier than hardy lilies. The flowers stay open longer each day and they bloom much later into the season. Night blooming tropical water lilies open their flowers at approximately 5 pm and do not close until the following morning around 9 am. This is perfect timing for those evening barbecues and parties.

Time to switch from a spring fish food to summer fish food since water temperatures have risen above 70 degrees. At higher temperatures, fish metabolize at a faster rate, thus creating a need for a diet higher in protein, which the summer food contains.

LDC recommends natural biological controls over chemical controls. Please Various pest problems can occur in July. LDC recommends natural biological controls over chemical controls. Please try to use the natural controls first and if they don’t seem to be helping, then switch to the chemical controls. *Gardens Alive carries many organic and biologically friendly remedies.*

If needed, set Japanese beetle traps up, but away from the garden.

Se Diatomaceous Earth to control crawling insects such as cockroaches, ants, slugs, silverfish, earwigs, fleas, spiders, millipedes, centipedes, and carpet beetles. Use indoors and outdoors.

Time to control aphids, lace bugs, bagworms, birch borer, fall webworm, Japanese beetle, obscure scale, oystershell scale, euonymus scale, pine needle scale, rhododendron borer, apple tree borer and spider mites.

Use Round-Up or Pratio to kill weeds and grasses in brick patios and walks. Stop[ birds from making a mess on your patio or automobile finish by placing plastic owls or owl decoy’s in your garden. This also works to protect fruit form bird attacks.

Spray roses with either Rose Pride or Immunox Plus to keep black spots and other problems under control.

Spray for bagworms on arborvitae and other evergreens. Use Sevin or Thurcide.

Spider mites can be controlled on Alberta spruce, hemlocks and other plants using ortho’s Systemic Insect control or Rose & Flower Insect Killer.

Lacebugs can be controlled on azaleas, andromeda and other plants now with Merit.

If necessary, treat dogwoods for borers with Borer Miner Spray.

To control deer foraging on your landscape plants, try the following: Bobbex, Milorganite and/or Deer Away.

To control rabbits and other animals that are getting into your garden, try a repellent such as Dried Blood or Ropel, which is labeled for that particular pest.

Fruit trees should be on a regular spray program.

Control slugs and snails on hosta and other plants with Bug-Geta or Deadline (if you have pets, you should use barrier tape or Sluggo instead of these products)

Monitor pieris, azaleas, locust trees, oaks, spruces, ect. for various pests.

Fertilize fruits and vegetables as needed with a good quality, slow-release vegetable food.

Stake tomato plants.

If necessary, spray tomato plants and other vegetables to control disease.

Start seeds for fall vegetables this month. This includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and many more.

If your lawn is in bad shape due to drought stress, insects, weeds or other reasons and you are considering a total renovation, August is the time to get started.

August is the best time to control grubs in the lawn. Apply Dylox and water it in thoroughly.

If you want to prevent broadleaf weeds such as chickweed and henbit next spring, but you would still like to see the lawn this fall, apply Portrait weed and preventer in early August. By applying this product now, you will be able to seed in late September or early October (seeding can be done 45-60 days after you apply the portrait).

If needed, apply a fungicide to the lawn to control turf diseases such as brown patch, dollar spot and others. Use Bayleton or Immunox.

Apply a fungicide to the lawn to control turf diseases such as brown patch, dollar spot, and others. Use Bayleton or Immunox.

Apply Perk to the lawn to keep it nice and green throughout the summer months. This product contains 10% iron, which gives added color without excessive growth.

Fertilize zoysia lawns now.

If needed, apply a weed control to the lawn to kill actively growing weeds. Use Bonide Weed Beater or Speed Zone.

Do not apply weed controls on newly weeded areas.

Do not apply weed controls on windy days.

Do not apply weed controls near or on the edge of waterways.

Do not allow children or pets to play on lawns freshly applied with weed controls. It is best to wait one week.

Always follow the label directions.

Feed houseplants with a good quality indoor plant food such as Jack’s Classic (water soluble powder) or Osmocote (slow release granular)

If needed, re-pot house plants to a larger pot.