July Gardening Tips for the Desert Southwest
Keep adding mulch to areas of the garden that dry quickly. Mulch helps reduce soil temperature, cooling plant roots. Mulch also slows water evaporation from soil, keeping plant roots moist.
For established trees and shrubs in soil that you have amended with organic matter, adjust watering schedules as temperatures rise.
Water every 10 to 14 days, soaking soil roughly 3 feet deep.
For more efficient irrigation, place a soaker hose at the dripline of plants.
Through mid-month, continue to pinch back garden mums and other perennials that bloom late into autumn. Pinching them keeps them compact.
Prune all spring-flowering shrubs by early this month. Later pruning could reduce next spring's flower show.
Continued on page 3: Growing Fruits, Vegetables, and Herbs in July
Related Links
