While July is usually too hot to add most vegetables and flowers to the garden, some plants do surprisingly well when planted in the heat of summer.
Hibiscus plant: Hibiscus trees love heat and will quickly take root when planted in July. Plant in nutrient-rich, well-drained soil. Water the tree deeply so that the roots remain moist for the first two weeks after planting. Hibiscus flowers only last a day, but new flowers quickly take their place. Hibiscus can also be planted in pots.
Bean and squash plant: While most veggies should already be producing in July, add corn, cucumber, lima beans, and summer squash now for a late summer / early fall harvest.
Plan your watering routine: Although the water restrictions have now been lifted, it is still conserved. Set your lawn sprinklers for the early hours of the morning, at 6:00 a.m. M. Or earlier, three times a week for 15 minutes. This will allow the water to reach the roots and will help reduce evaporation once the sun is out.
Eliminate snail damage naturally: Snails love to eat through the tender leaves of vegetables, which can damage or kill the plant. Place natural barriers around your yard to keep snails out. Since they move by gliding on smooth surfaces, place crushed eggshells or diatomaceous earth (an abrasive sedimentary rock) around the plants. Mulch is another good snail deterrent because it is made from rough wood chips.
Keep dead flowers: Summer is the time of year when flowers want to grow. Give new buds the maximum nutrients they need by removing wilted or dead flowers on a daily basis. In this way, the plants will focus their energy on new growth.
Plant shrubs: One way to easily fill a garden is by planting shrubs. Use them as ground cover or low hedges. Low-water and easy-to-maintain users include lily of the Nile, star jasmine, Indian hawthorn, New Zealand flax, rosemary, and Mediterranean rose rockrose. They will all need regular watering until they are established.
Complete your flower garden: Add summer to fall bloomers like alyssum, marigolds, petunias, red sage, verbena, vinca, and zinnias to your garden while other plants slow down flower production. Flowers that are well suited to shade are amethyst, begonia, coleus, geranium, and impatiens.
Replenish mulch: To help reduce water use, add a 3-inch layer of mulch around plants and trees. Mulch keeps water and roots cool even during the hottest hours of the day.
Unlike plants and trees that enjoy the heat, start your gardening day early before temperatures rise to unbearable levels.