July Garden Calendar

• Water well. Keep flowers and lawns green and healthy by making sure your landscaping gets enough water -- about 1 inch a week. If using a sprinkler, set out a pan or tuna can on the lawn to collect and measure how much water falls. The best time to water is in early morning; this prevents water loss from evaporation and gives foliage daylight hours to dry to prevent disease.
• Keep up with weeding. Try working in the cool of morning -- especially right after watering, when roots will be easier to pull -- or in the evening to minimize your exposure to hear.
• Deadhead flowers regularly. It keeps your landscape tidy and encourages certain flowers to bloom more.
• Mulch. Spread 1-3 inches of wood chips or other weed-suppressing material now that the soil has warmed.