• Garden activities  and chores slow down a bit in July.  Once daily temperatures hover around and above 90 degrees, it's not a good idea to begin new garden projects. Weeding, watering, and enjoying the bounty of our gardens are the top priorities now!
  
  
• The sun and the heat  Protect yourself from both ... try to get most gardening chores done in the early morning or late evening.  Dress lightly, take frequent breaks, and drink lots of water!  Overdoing it this time of year could be dangerous, and just plain takes some of the pleasure out of our love of gardening.
  
  
• Annuals and perennials  Continue to pinch back and deadhead regularly to encourage bushier plants and prolong the bloom time.  Get a second bloom from faded annuals by cutting them back to approximately half their height, then fertilize them with a balanced fertilizer, and apply a generous layer of mulch.  Cut back old and spent blossom stems to keep your beds looking neater.
  
  
• Weeds  Be diligent on pulling the weeds and grass.  By removing them before they can bear seed, you'll have fewer weeds to fight next year.
  
  
• Vegetables  Fruiting and flowering plants need at least an inch of water weekly, and if nature isn't providing the rainfall, we need to water frequently and thoroughly. Harvest your veggies frequently, to help keep them producing.
  
  
• Container plants  Continue keeping a close eye on their water . . . they may need almost daily waterings when it is hot and dry.  Keep in mind that smaller pots dry out much faster than large ones.
  
  
• The birds  This is pretty much a repetition of what I had here for June, but it's so important now that the days are getting hotter!
  Make sure Hummingbird feeders always have fresh mixture in them ... it can ferment in the hot sunshine.  A little Vaseline smeared along the hook or chain supporting your feeder may help discourage ants.  Freshen the water in birdbaths daily -- the birds will love and need it, and it also prevents mosquito larvae from developing. Hummingbirds also love to bathe, usually on wet leaves or in a misty sprinkler.  Watching a sprinkler is a pleasure for anyone on a hot summer day!
  
  

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