'Ketchup & Mustard', a floribunda rose.
JULy's Garden Chores
New Videos on Climbing Roses: How to Deadhead & Train: Part 1 and Part 2
Summer Rose Care - Taking Cuttings - Summer Watering - Plants That Shouldn't Dry Out
In the Veggie Garden - Garden Inspections - Potato & Tomato Blight - Composting
Peony Measles - July Tomato Care - Tomato Troubles - Sow Flower Seeds - Powdery Mildew
Going on Vacation - July introduction - July Garden Stars
July Garden Chores - July Lawn Care - July Plant Combo - Plant Police - July Arrangement
Water Restrictions - Ornamental Tropical Shrubs - Plant of the Month: Daylilies
Summer Rose Care - Taking Cuttings - Summer Watering - Plants That Shouldn't Dry Out
In the Veggie Garden - Garden Inspections - Potato & Tomato Blight - Composting
Peony Measles - July Tomato Care - Tomato Troubles - Sow Flower Seeds - Powdery Mildew
Going on Vacation - July introduction - July Garden Stars
July Garden Chores - July Lawn Care - July Plant Combo - Plant Police - July Arrangement
Water Restrictions - Ornamental Tropical Shrubs - Plant of the Month: Daylilies
July IntroHello Fellow Gardeners,
There’s nothing like a heatwave to make you realize how important water is. With record breaking temperatures along most of the western North America, June proved to be a scorcher. Heat loving plants such as roses, California lilacs, tomatoes and peppers liked the humid tropical weather, however, many plants were seriously injured. Alas, some may not survive, especially those that didn’t receive any water. It was so sad to see plants wilt, even those that were watered; they just couldn’t handle being fried by unrelenting sun. I felt the same way despite the gallons of water I was imbibing. Although I tried my best to keep plants happy by watering them and shading them, it was difficult to keep up. Handwatering became a daily chore, making me wither in the process. And if I missed any, their lifeless little bodies made me feel so guilty I was out there again with the garden hose. Thank goodness, the heatwave has passed. Will another come back? I wouldn’t be surprised at all. Usually July in the garden means that all we have to do is maintain the status quo. Summer in temperate coastal British Columbia is usually dry, but temperatures are nice and mild. This makes for happy plant and contented gardeners. If last month is anything to go by, I think gardeners are going to be put to the test as we deal with weather extremes. I hope I am wrong and the weather cooperates for gardeners and farmers everywhere. No weird and wacky weather – please! Take care out there and stay cool. Happy gardening. Cheers, Amanda Checkout my Facebook page
Although these sunburned leaves look unsightly on this fried hosta, it's better to keep them on the plant. Removing them will expose the tender and protected leaves underneath. Besides, it's only July, summer is not over yet!
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Amanda's Garden Blog
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July Garden Stars
JUly PLANT COMBODaylilies and English lavender are a good team for hot, dry and sunny locations, like this city planting. It is surrounded by concrete and because it is on a city boulevard, it does not receive a gardener's TLC. Despite the lack of care, this plant combination works. This specific daylily, Stella d'Oro, is a repeat bloomer with flowers that continue well into fall.
Watering Restrictions ContinueFor Metro Vancouver, B.C.
Water restrictions start May 1 and end October 15. If you don’t live in Metro Vancouver, contact your local municipality for their watering restrictions. Residential lawn watering schedule:
Even-numbered addresses: Wed and Sat, 4 to 9 a.m. Odd-numbered addresses: Thurs and Sun, 4 to 9 a.m. Trees, shrubs & flowers: Any day from 4 to 9 am for sprinklers, hand watering and drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device. Non-residential (businesses) lawn watering schedule: Even-numbered addresses: Mon, 1 to 6 a.m., Fri 4 to 9 am. Odd-numbered addresses: Tues, 1 to 6 a.m., Fri 4 to 9 am Trees, shrubs & flowers: Any day from 1 to 9 am for sprinklers, hand watering and drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device. For more information, click here Lawn Care for JUly
plant policeThis is a failed attempt to stop weeds from growing throughout a garden bed. Landscape fabric was placed over the soil with a light layer of mulch over-top. The problem here is the landscape fabric. In order for mulch to be effective in must be in direct contact with the soil. A skiff of mulch isn't adequate either. It needs to be 3 inches deep. Click on mulch for more info.
Watering In Summer
In the Veggie GardenOnions, garlic, shallots: To encourage big fat bulbs, snip off flowers (scapes) as they appear (make them into pesto or add to stir fries). Stop watering when their leaves start to yellow but wait until they turn brown to harvest. Cure, then store in a dry location.
Rhubarb: Cut off flower spikes at their base as soon as they appear. Stop harvesting to allow plants to rest so you'll get a good crop next year. Harvest: Daily harvesting ensures fresh produce picked at their prime. Two foot long zucchinis look impressive, but aren't as tasty compared to ones that are smaller and younger. To learn more about harvesting click more.
Harvest New Potatoes: Harvest new baby potatoes when flowers appear. Either pull out a few spuds or dig up the entire plant and harvest them all. To learn more about growing potatoes click here. Taters: Plant seed potatoes for Christmas harvest. Garden InspectionsWhen you find something not right while perusing your garden, you’ll have to do a bit of detective work to figure out what is going on. For more go to Garden Inspections
composting Tips
July Tomato Care
Epsom Salts? Really?For luscious rose blossoms and tasty tomatoes use Epsom salts as a foliar spray, soil drench or just mix some into the soil. Epsom salts provides 2 secondary essential elements for plant health: magnesium and sulfur. Many plants are quite happy with low levels of magnesium, while others such as tomatoes, peppers and roses perform best with supplemental applications. Certainly apply it to any plants that are showing signs of magnesium deficiency. Symptoms appear first on older leaves that are yellow between the green veins (interveinal chlorosis).
Dosages: Mix 2 tablespoons of Epsom salts to one gallon of water. Either apply to the soil or mist the foliage with the solution if you want instant results. For long term solutions, mix in a couple of inches of compost. Compost is also a good source of magnesium. |
July Garden ChoresPlease note that coloured text are linked to another page on this website or another website. Many of the pictures are also linked and will redirect you if you click on them.
Garden Inspections: As temperatures soar and any rain is celebrated, daily garden walkabouts are a good idea. Some plants, especially those in planters, will need daily handwatering. Don't wait to water wilting plants. They need water asap, no matter what time of day it is. If you don't want insects and diseases to prey on your plants, keep on top of the watering.
Protect Plants from the Sun: Instantly cool hot plants by shading them with burlap, tarp or a tablecloth propped up with stakes or draped on a neighbouring taller plant. Don't be surprised if you hear them sigh with relief.
Don’t Plant: Wait until autumn, it’s just too darn hot. Avoid planting until the rains return and temperatures cool.
Remedial Staking: Remove stakes from gladiolus, peonies, delphiniums and other plants once they no longer need them. For plants that continue to grow such as dahlias and tomatoes, support any wayward stems. Weed: Moisten the soil first to make it easier to pull them out, roots and all.
Going on Vacation? Gardens need tending during the summer so do try to have someone garden-sit even if it’s just to make sure plants are watered. One of their rewards will be reaping any harvest in your absence, especially fast maturing crops like tomatoes. Peony measles: Discoloured peony leaves are symptoms of Peony Leaf Blotch also referred to as 'peony measles'. There's no control, just remove and discard infected leaves before winter. Click here for more.
Water for All: Butterflies, bees, birds and all life need water to live. During times of drought a shallow dish of fresh water is a lifesaver. Place a few around the garden in shade and replenish often.
Sow Flower Seeds: Sow seeds of perennials and biennials inside or outside according to the packet directions: columbine, delphiniums, pansies, wallflowers, foxgloves, honesty (Lunaria annua), hollyhocks. Label them so you don’t forget where they are and don’t let the soil dry out.
Semi-hardwood cuttings: Make more plants trees, shrubs, evergreens and conifers now by taking semi-hardwood cuttings. Suitable stems should bend without breaking. For more click on Taking Cuttings
Rose CareDeadheading Roses: If you want new blossoms to replace the dead ones, remove spent blooms by cutting back just above an outward facing leaf with 5 to 7 leaflets. This also applies when cutting roses for flower arrangements. For stems without foliage, cut canes back by ¼ to just above a node or side branch. For more on pruning roses click here.
After Each Flush of Blooms: Water well than fertilize with kelp meal, seaweed extract or fish fertilizer to promote healthy growth and more blossoms. Planter careContainers: Don't forget to feed and water container grown plants as they are at your mercy. Yellow leaves, poor growth and lack of vigor are sure signs of malnutrition and thirst. To increase moisture holding capacity and to add some nutrients, add inch or so of compost, well-rotted manure or SeaSoil on top of the soils surface. Mix it in if possible. For more click on Container Growing.
Plant Winter Crops NowSow seeds of winter hardy plants: broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, cilantro, kohlrabi, kale and cabbage. Plant where drainage is good so they don't rot with winter rains. Since it is still summer, water daily so they don’ dry out and protect from insects with a floating row covers. In fall, add a layer of straw to insulate the soil from the cold. For more on Winter Veggie Gardening, click here. For more on cloches, click here.
Powdery MildewPowdery mildew is a white powder that appears on leaves, stems and buds. It first appears first on new foliage and flower buds. This prevalent disease is caused by weather and incorrect maintenance. To learn how to control powdery mildew and for a safe, organic spray click here.
Potato & Tomato BlightHumid, warm weather brings out the blight in potatoes and tomatoes. Look for dark edges on the foliage. There’s no cure, so harvest as much as you can then destroy the plants and remove all plant parts from the soil. Don’t plant any tomatoes or potatoes in that same spot preferably for at least four years.
Summer PruningSummer pruning is a good thing as it inhibits growth while promoting flowers and fruit. Unlike winter pruning that encourages growth, pruning in the summer slows plants down. Always water plants after pruning and don’t prune when plants are wilting due to lack of water.
Remove:
July ArrangementJuly's yellow, blue and white arrangement includes callas, hydrangeas, alstroemerias, shasta daisies and marigolds. For details and for more arrangements click on Monthly Flower Arrangements
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Plant of the month
Daylily - Hemerocallis
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Common Name: daylily
Botanical Name: Hemerocallis hybrids and cultivars Form: upright arching, vase Family: Xanthorrhoeaceae Genus: Hemerocallis (beauty for a day) Plant Type: herbaceous perennial Mature Size: 1’ x 3’ tall and wide Growth: fast Origin: Japan, China, Korea, Eurasia Hardiness Zone: 3 to 9 Foliage: green, stemless, basal (emerge from crown), long, narrow strap-like that taper Flowers: trumpet shaped, July, August, yellows, oranges, reds with cultivars of pinks, purples, colour combinations, patterned and bicoloured, multiple petals, some are scented, some rebloom, while others bloom continuously until autumn Fruit: brown capsule on species varieties, which may or may not come true from seed, September, October Stems: flower stalks are leafless and only bear flowers Exposure: sun to part shade, heat tolerant Soil: tolerant to most soils, drought tolerant Uses: perennial borders, foundation plantings, cut flowers, slope stabilization, massing, xeriscaping, shrub borders, butterflies and hummingbirds Propagation: seeds, basal root cuttings and divisions Pruning: cut back foliage in fall when it yellows. Problems: aphids, spider mites, thrips, bacterial soft rot Comments: Daylilies have so many good qualities they are considered to be the ‘perfect perennial’. After all they create a fountain of green arching leaves that looks pretty good even without their many trumpet-like blossoms. Many varieties are fragrant, but even if they are not, they all are visited by butterflies and hummingbirds. Although their flowers resemble lilies, they are herbaceous perennials, and not bulbs, that turn yellow in the fall and go dormant during the winter. They regrow in spring and flower during the summer. Their showy trumpet-shaped blossoms only last a day, but flowering lasts for about 5 weeks depending on the variety. Since there are more than 35,000 cultivars that flower at different times during the summer, it’s possible to have their pretty blossoms flowering for months. Growing Conditions Daylilies are a garden staple because they require very little care, they aren’t messy and are well-behaved. These tough cookies blossom and flourish in all kinds of growing conditions, and don’t mind a bit of neglect. As long as it the soil isn’t soggy and they receive at least 5 hours of sunlight, daylilies should perform well. If plants don’t flower, it is from lack of light. Afternoon shade is better than morning, especially in hot climates. Despite their soil tolerance, they do prefer a loamy soil with good drainage. To improve their health and performance, mix in a few inches of compost into the soil. Mulch with 3 inches of a leaf mulch, wood chips or another organic mulch. Daylilies have a mass of plump, tuberous roots that store water, hence their ability to tolerate many types of soils, as well as drought. They don’t like wet feet, so don’t situate them where the soil doesn’t drain freely. Supply them with adequate moisture during the spring to get them off to a good start and early summer just before and when they are in flower. This promotes more blossoms and longer bloom period. Give the soil a good soaking to at least six inches. Planting Plant daylilies in early fall and early spring, about 6 to 8 weeks before it gets too cold in winter and too hot in summer. Place its crown (where roots and leaves meet) at soil level. After Flowering Once plants finish flowering, remove their flower stalks at their base. Cut back leaves in fall once they turn yellow. Mix in an inch or two of compost every year each spring. Types of Daylilies Their blossoms consist of three petals and three sepals (collectively termed 'tepals') that are joined at the base. They surround six curved stamens with pollen laden two-lobed anthers at their tips. In the centre is a long thin pistil that exceeds well past the stamens. That’s the basic flower, however plant breeders have put a new spin on the ever-so humble original daylily. Hybrids and cultivars were developed from these initial species: the tawny daylily (H. fulva) and the lemon lily (H. flava). Now they come in every colour except for pure blue and pure white. Petals are ruffled, frilly, skinny or broad. There’s some with colourful contrasting ‘eyes’ in the centre, there’s ones with stripes or blends of different colours. There are so many different types of daylilies because they are relatively easy to hybridize. Previously there were only diploid hybrids (2 sets of chromosomes), but tetraploids are quite impressive because they have double that amount. They are bold and brassy with thicker petals and bigger blossoms on heftier plants. Think of them as daylilies on steroids. |
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THE GARDEN WEBSITE INDEX
Container Growing 101 Monthly Flower Arrangements
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for the tropical Gardener
While working in Florida as horticultural consultant, it became apparent that there was a need for a book on tropical shrubs. There are so many wonderful shrubs to choose from, so I wrote a reference book to make the selections easier. Ornamental Tropical Shrubs includes pictures in full colour and information about the plants in point form. So if you live in the tropics and subtropics and need a reference book on tropical shrubs, or you just want to have a look-see click here.
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