July is one of the hottest months of the year in most US states. Flowers tend to die, vegetable plants can shrivel up, and water landscapes can develop algae or other fungi. To prevent your summer gardens from looking like something out of a creepy Tim Burton movie, follow the following tips!

From water gardens and veggies and flowers, to controlling summer garden pests, these tips will help your garden flourish even under the most humid conditions.

Water Gardens

Keeping water clear:

• 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 are essential to maintaining water clarity as they utilize the oxygen in the water, which helps prevent algae from accumulating in the pond. Following are some easy guidelines to know when trying to figure out how many grasses are needed:
  • 1 clump of grass per 1 sq. ft. of surface area for ponds less than 25 sq. ft.
  • 1 clump of grass per 2 sq. ft. of surface area for ponds greater than 25 sq. ft.

Adding proper foliage:

• Lotus plants are great for container water gardens on a deck or patio. Whiskey barrels make a perfect container for these types of water gardens.
• Tropical Water Lilies make a spectacular show of color for any water garden. There are all types of lilies; some that bloom during the day and others at night! 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.

Pest Controls

• If needed, set Japanese beetle traps up, but away from the garden.
• Use Diatomaceous Earth to control crawling insects such as cockroaches, ants, slugs, silverfish, earwigs, fleas, spiders, millipedes, centipedes, and carpet beetles. Use indoors and outdoors.
• Spray roses with Ortho Rose Spray or Dragon Rose Spray to keep black spot and other problems under control. Many people are starting to use compost tea to keep pest and funguses under control.
• Control slugs and snails on hosta and other plants with diatomaceous earth.

Fruit and Vegetable Gardens

• Remember to take tomato plants.
• If necessary, spray tomato plants and other vegetables to control diseases.
• Start seeds for fall vegetables this month. This includes broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels sprouts and many others.