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JULY GARDENING
BY GLADYS JEURINK
For me July is
usually the most difficult time. The days are hot and so are the nights
as well as less rain than we need. To combat all this I try to water and
then mulch while the ground is still wet. My compost never really
becomes true compost. Everything goes through the chipper so is in small
pieces and starts the breaking down process. I also like to add grass
clippings and put at least 2 inches around the plants (but not against
the stems.) This preserves the moisture and cools the soil around the
roots. The worms are hungry
and will snatch it gradually to digest and make “castings” lower in the
soil as well as creating air tunnels for the roots.
I have never
had raised beds but I can see how they would help because usually part
of the material in the “raise” is generally organic material and this
can absorb more moisture than clay to make it available for the roots.
Do not keep stirring your soil with a hoe or tiller as this
exposes the soil to the air and dries it out. It also brings weed seeds
up to germinate. Put your mulch on top of the weeds to smother them and
they will become part of the mulch. In some countries the people raise
the edges by bringing up the soil in a small area and then planting down
inside the space. The sides protect the plants from wind and they water
only the low areas. Seeds will not wash away as easily and thin mulch
keeps them damp to help them germinate.
By July most of
the weeds are not starting. Under the mulch its dark and they aren’t
stimulated to start. On the surface it is too dry for the seeds to
germinate. But there is one, Purslane which never gives up.
Portulac aleracia is also
called little hogweed, parsley, duckweed, and wild Portulaca by the book
“Weeds of the Great Plains”. Some people pick it and eat it raw, cooked
or in pickles. After trying to kill so many I don’t think I would enjoy
eating it. It spreads by seeds and lateral roots. Even small pieces can
root in a damp soil and start a new plant. The only place I don’t find
it is in the shade. It
spreads quickly on the ground, never over an inch high, but if you let
it, it will be up to 2 feet long with many, many seeds that are carried
by the birds!!
By this time some of our plants
like Petunias and Impatiens are starting to look tired which means it is
time to cut them back by about half.
It looks a little bare for a week or so but with water they will
try to start over. The
purpose of a plant is to provide a new generation and cutting removes
most of the seeds so they try again. If you want fresh green dill for
your fall pickles it is time to start new seeds as the old crop is
turning brown and seeds are dropping off. I always need a patch of dill
for the Swallowtail butterflies.
If you are a
fall gardener the last of the month is time to start those crops as well
as your last row of string beans.
Cabbage and cauliflower transplants are sometimes available in
the garden centers. They will benefit by the cooler nights in August. If
we have a late fall cucumber vines will produce a new crop but if they
don’t have enough water during the hot weather they become bitter. Most
of this is in the stem end so when you notice it just cut that end off.
Now is the time
to be looking for material for winter bouquets as well as deadheading
plants that have finished blooming. Many will have time and energy to
put out a new crop of blooms.
Cockscomb (Celosia species) need to be picked at their brightest color stage
for drying. If done right the color will last for several years in a
wreath. Especially the crested ones which many people say looks like a
brain. They come in reds, pinks and yellows. Many get over 9 inches
across. To dry just pick and hang upside down in a dark dry place.
This keeps the stem straight until it dries and preserves the
color. The plumose or plume type can be treated the same way. I like to
plant the seed directly outside as Celosia resents transplanting or its
growth may be stunted with premature blooming. Wheat needs to be cut
before it gets too ripe. Cattails should be picked before the “tails”
open to scatter the seed. These heads were dipped in oil and then used
as a torch at one time. Many
of the weeds are now going to seed as well as some of the grasses. Keep
an eye on all the plants to know when to pick for drying as July is just
the beginning of the season. If plants get too advanced they tend to
shatter as you work with them.
Yarrow (Achillea
species) is another plant for wreaths or bouquets. It is easy to
grow, doesn’t need or like a lot of water and comes in many colors that
stay for a long time. Clumps
need to be divided in spring after several years for it to do its best. Copyright 2014 |