Finally, those hazy, lazy days of summer have arrived! The temperatures are getting warmer, the sun is high and hopefully the rainfall of June will become a more weekly, not daily event! During July and August, it is best to get outside during the early mornings and evenings, when the temperatures are cooler. Keep records on daily temperatures and rainfall, since summer heat and drought affects plants as much as winter cold and snow. Also, do not forget to wear a big hat and plenty of sunscreen!
We are always happy to answer any of your gardening questions. Please submit them to
rugardens@aesop.rutgers.edu or for additional plant information visit the Rutgers Gardens web site at http://www.rutgersgardens.rutgers.edu/
Bruce Crawford, Director of Rutgers Gardens
Things To Do For July:
Weed and fertilize your containers - water as needed. The plants are now beginning to approach their mature size and it is important to keep them well fed and hydrated. If you used slow release fertilizer pellets in your containers, use a 50% dilute solution of liquid feed. During hot periods, containers may need to be watered twice per day. Some of the plants, such as Coleus and Plectranthus would benefit from an occasional pinching, to make the plants more full.
For turf grass, raise the cutting height to 3” during the hotter and drier months in order to reduce stress. If you irrigate, do so for extended periods early in the morning to encourage deeper root growth. Try not to water in the evening, since that will promote various fungal problems. Avoid fertilizing during the summer.
For Roses, deadhead, give them a light feeding and remove any leaves from the plant or the ground that have blackspot (this will reduce future outbreaks).
Some perennials can be pinched or cut back to the ground, such as Catnip (Nepeta faassenii), early blooming Salvias (Salvia nemerosa cultivars) and Yarrows (Achillea cultivars) to encourage a second flush of flowers.
Weed. There is an endless growth of weeds this year from the unusually moist June. It is best to get them young before they become noticeable or the root systems become too established.
Peas, radishes, lettuce, spinach and other cool season crops need to be composted and replaced by beans, beets or any 80 day to maturity crop. At this point summer squash and cucumbers are beginning to come of size; harvest them small (6-10”) and frequently to ensure continued yields and tenderness.
When watering tomatoes, make certain that the fruit remains dry in order to reduce the occurrence of blossom end rot. Keep the tomatoes staked; contact with the ground can also promote blossom end rot and other decay problems.
Provide a light pruning to rampant growing Wisteria stems, stray stems of Clematis, and other vines. A heavy pruning will invigorate excessive vegetative growth and less flowering buds.
Prune watersprouts and suckers on small trees and large shrubs before they become too large and begin to deform the plant.
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