Day Lily “Jeff Holden” blooming in July, 2019
In lieu of a report of a speaker at our June meeting, Northumberland Master Gardeners would like to share with you what they love about their gardens in July and also share some of the garden tasks to keep in mind during the month of July.
Judy Kaufman tells us that: “In July, I look forward to spaces being filled. Hemerocallis, lilies, phlox, delphiniums if I’m lucky, and any annuals I have started from seed or picked up on impulse are all maturing nicely. The urns I planted a few weeks ago will begin to look overstuffed. I’ll be picking bouquets to bring inside and share with friends.
My veggie garden will start yielding beans, and I’ll continue to pick the herbs.
I will have my last asparagus feed- a Canada day tradition, as there will be no harvesting asparagus after that! And I will be anxiously awaiting my raspberries!”
Marguerite Long shares this: “I look forward to July in my garden, the golden month when the coreopsis, day lilies and helianthus fill my borders with shades of yellow. I like how the spaces left from May’s spring blooms are filled to capacity with perennials like tall phlox, rudbeckia and purple coneflowers. Hot sunny days and raspberries remind me of my childhood!”
Shelly Fredericks shares her thoughts about planting that can be done in July “I’ve had a very busy Spring and did not have time to sow seeds in my vegetable garden so I am looking forward to sowing seeds in July for the Autumn harvest. During the month of July, many vegetables can be directly sown into the garden for Autumn harvest such as: beets; carrots; beans (bush and pole); romaine; turnip; Winter squash; and radish. Pay attention to the number of days to maturity/harvest on the seed package and keep in mind the first frost for Northumberland County is around mid-October. Lettuce and spinach can be sown indoors at the beginning of July and transplanted to the garden the first week of August.”
Claire Blahnik especially enjoys this about her garden: “My July garden, is one where I have started to harvest currants (red and white) and kohlrabi, lettuce, spinach, and still some peas. It truly feels like I can just start eating what I grow. I am also able to enjoy my perennials especially my hydrangeas which always put on a show but also my lupine and campanula. Mostly July is a great month to just walk around my garden morning or evening watching the changes and progress.”
Christa Bisanz speaks of her lilies: “July flowering trumpets with their intoxicating perfume, or the spicily scented Oriental hybrids of August, lilies are the quintessential summer garden bulb. Plant them in early Spring or in the Autumn at the same time as tulips and daffodils pairing them with companion plants. They would look lovely with delphiniums, coreopsis, Veronica, Black-eyed Susan, summer phlox, purple coneflowers.
When grown in ideal conditions most lilies will multiply year after year.”
Tanya Crowell tells us that “The first thought that came to my mind was looking forward to lilies blooming. Also all my hydrangeas in bloom as well as liatris, phlox, and balloon flowers. Some of the garden tasks for July include dividing irises, pruning lilacs and other spring flowering shrubs, dead heading and weeding. And finally time to sit in my anti gravity chair with a glass of wine and survey the beauty of it all!”
Suzi Gabany enjoys her July garden but also pays attention to some important gardening tasks “In July I am looking forward to watching my garden grow and delighting in the blossoms and early vegetables that present themselves. In return I will attempt to fertilize the plants. One of my favourite methods is using a natural foliar spray, applied on a cloudy but rain-free day either in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid foliage burn. Also I plan on a few applications of a natural water-soluble fertilizer, usually catching the plants at a time when watering is needed. A late planting of beans may be in order as well or maybe a little heat hardy lettuce or radishes in a shady spot. For other July projects, perhaps I will be able to create long awaited structural or decorative changes to the garden area. Otherwise a book and a cool drink in the shade is ideal.”