July Tips for Zone 8 in the South
If January is the coldest month of the year in the South, July is the warmest month. With the warmer temperatures and so many plants growing and flowering this time of year there's always something that needs done in July. If the weather is dry plants will need water to thrive. If there is average or above rainfall plants will need pruned and fed more.
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Fertilization & Watering Tips
- Make sure your plants and lawn are receiving enough water
If the weather is hot and dry, make sure to check plants and provide adequate water for those that might be under stress from the lack of water. If there's been average or above average rainfall turn automated irrigation systems off until they're needed again. As a general rule of thumb, keep in mind that most plants, except for xeriscape (drought tolerant) plants, will benefit from an inch or so of water per week. Also keep in mind that it's better to give plants a deep soaking than to splash a little water on them more often.
Plants growing in containers or raised beds will usually require more attention to watering. When temperatures are high and humidity low, plants growing in containers may need watered every day, or even twice a day once the roots are filling the pot.
Watering plants or the lawn is best done during the morning hours. Avoid watering in the late evening or at night as this can promote development of damaging fungus. If you have an automated sprinkler system set the timer to begin watering no earlier than 5 AM and no later than 4 PM.
To help retain moisture in the soil, maintain a 1.5 to 2-inch layer of mulch around plants in garden beds or in containers. Shredded wood mulch or pine straw are my preferred mulches.
Watering can be done by hand or by an irrigation system. If the cost of having an irrigation system installed is more than you want to spend, consider installing a drip or micro-sprinkler irrigation system. These systems are very easy to install, requiring no digging. They use much less water than underground sprinkler systems, hook directly to any water spigot, and can be automated using an inexpensive watering timer. Many digital timers allow for two or more watering times per day.
SEE:
How To Water A Lawn
How To Water A Newly Planted Shrub
How To Water Potted Plants
How To Water Tomato Plants
- Fertilize warm season lawns
Warm season lawns such as Bermuda, Centipede, St. Augustine and Zoysia can be fertilized if needed. If your lawn is regularly irrigated, and looks like it needs a boost, you can fertilize with a slow- or quick-release high nitrogen fertilizer. If your lawn is not irrigated on a regular basis you can apply a slow-release lawn fertilizer or mild, natural fertilizer such as Milorganite. If there are many weeds present in your lawn, and you are not planning on overseeding within the next 6 to 8 weeks, you can apply a weed & feed type fertilizer at rates recommend on the product label. If there's only a few weeds, these can be spot-sprayed with the appropriate lawn weed killer for your type of lawn grass.
NOTE: For those who have Centipede or St. Augustine lawns, make sure to use only "weed & feed" products containing Atrazine weed killer.
SEE:
How To Fertilize A Bermuda Lawn
How To Fertilize a Zoysia Lawn
How To Fertilize A Centipede Lawn
How To Fertilize a St. Augustine Lawn
- Fertilize annual and perennial plants
If needed, fertilize annual and perennial plants growing in flowerbeds and containers with a granular flower food, or you can feed more regularly with a water-soluble fertilizer. If these plants have become spindly it would be a good idea to cut them back. Many summer-flowering perennial plants, such as coreopsis and tall garden phlox, will rebloom after a mid-summer pruning.
SEE: How To Fertilize Annual Plants & Flowers
SEE: How To Fertilize Perennial Plants
- Fertilize vegetables
If there's been a lot of rainfall, hot peppers, okra and other fast growing vegetable plants will benefit greatly from a balanced general purpose fertilize since the rain has likely leached out nutrients from the soil,
SEE: How To Fertilize The Vegetable Garden
- Fertilize roses
To maintain overall health and enhance bloom production, remove spent rose blooms and fertilize with a well-balanced rose fertilizer or mild organic plant food.
