July Garden Chores for All USDA Grow Zones

Planting by USDA Zone is a good starting point to get a handle on what you should be thinking of planting and when. If you pair this overview of gardening tasks by zone with experience, local knowledge and good year on year note taking then you will be well on your way to a successful and confident gardener in no time!

ZONE 4

Start seeds indoors for your fall garden now.
Watch the leaves of your tomato plants for signs of leaf spot diseases.
Continue monitoring for pest insects talked about in the June task list.
Garden flowers, whether annuals or perennials, benefit from "deadheading" after flowering. By removing the spent flower heads, energy is used to produce more flowers or foliage and roots. Many will produce another flush of blooms.
Flowering requires lots of energy so it can be quite helpful to fertilize flowering annual plants once flowering begins. Fertilize one more time before the end of the season.
Seeds can continue to be sown throughout July for late crops of beets, bush beans, carrots, chard, Chinese cabbage, cucumbers, kohlrabi, and corn. Cover with pre-moistened potting soil mix which will not be so likely to crust and crack. To hold in the moisture, cover the rows with a very thin layer of mulch or floating row cover fabric.

ZONE 5

Start seeds indoors for heading cole crops for your fall garden now. Direct sow, radish, carrots, beets, turnips, and kale, in late July through August.
Watch the leaves of your tomato plants for signs of leaf spot diseases.
Continue monitoring for pest insects talked about in the June task list.
Garden flowers, whether annuals or perennials, benefit from "deadheading" after flowering. By removing the spent flower heads, energy is used to produce more flowers or foliage and roots. Many will produce another flush of blooms.
Flowering requires lots of energy so it can be quite helpful to fertilize flowering annual plants once flowering begins. Fertilize one more time before the end of the season.
Seeds can continue to be sown throughout July for late crops of beets, bush beans, carrots, chard, Chinese cabbage, cucumbers, summer squash, and corn. Cover with pre-moistened potting soil mix which will not be so likely to crust and crack. To hold in the moisture, cover the rows with a very thin layer of mulch or floating row cover fabric.
Divide and transplant bearded iris using the vigorous ends of the rhizomes. Discard the old center portion. Cut the leaves back to about six inches.
Control mosquitoes by eliminating all sources of stagnant water. Consider installing a bat house to encourage bat habitat, they eat mosquitoes!
A garden needs one inch of rain or water each week. Early morning is the best time to water. Evening watering is less desirable because plant leaves that remain wet through the night are more susceptible to fungus diseases. Mulch plants to reduce water losses and improve yields.
Check the soil moisture of container grown vegetables and flowers daily. As the temperature rises, some plants may need water twice a day.

ZONE 6

Start seeds indoors for heading cole crops for your fall garden now. Direct sow, radish, carrots, beets, turnips, and kale, in late July through August.
Watch the leaves of your tomato plants for signs of leaf spot diseases.
Continue monitoring for pest insects talked about in the May task list.
Keep deadheading flowers as needed to prolong the bloom season.
Flowering requires lots of energy so it can be quite helpful to fertilize flowering annual plants once flowering begins. Fertilize one more time before the end of the season.
Seeds can continue to be sown throughout July for late crops of beets, bush beans, carrots, chard, Chinese cabbage, cucumbers, summer squash, and corn. Cover with pre-moistened potting soil mix which will not be so likely to crust and crack. To hold in the moisture, cover the rows with a very thin layer of mulch or floating row cover fabric.
Divide and transplant bearded iris using the vigorous ends of the rhizomes. Discard the old center portion. Cut the leaves back to about six inches.
Control mosquitoes by eliminating all sources of stagnant water. Consider installing a bat house to encourage bat habitat, they eat mosquitoes!
A garden needs one inch of rain or water each week. Early morning is the best time to water. Evening watering is less desirable because plant leaves that remain wet through the night are more susceptible to fungus diseases. Mulch plants to reduce water losses and improve yields.
Check the soil moisture of container grown vegetables and flowers daily. As the temperature rises, some plants may need water twice a day.
Water vegetable gardens deeply as needed.
Pinch herbs like basil, mint, oregano, and savory to promote bushy growth.

ZONE 7

Start seeds indoors for heading cole crops for your fall garden now. Direct sow, radish, carrots, beets, turnips, and kale, in late July through August.
Watch the leaves of your tomato plants for signs of leaf spot diseases.
Continue monitoring for pest insects talked about in the May task list.
Keep deadheading flowers as needed to prolong the bloom season.
Flowering requires lots of energy so it can be quite helpful to fertilize flowering annual plants once flowering begins. Fertilize one more time before the end of the season.
Seeds can continue to be sown throughout July for late crops of beets, bush beans, carrots, chard, summer spinach, cucumbers, and summer squash. Cover with pre-moistened potting soil mix which will not be so likely to crust and crack. To hold in the moisture, cover the rows with a very thin layer of mulch or floating row cover fabric.
Divide and transplant bearded iris using the vigorous ends of the rhizomes. Discard the old center portion. Cut the leaves back to about six inches.
Control mosquitoes by eliminating all sources of stagnant water. Consider installing a bat house to encourage bat habitat, they eat mosquitoes!
A garden needs one inch of rain or water each week. Early morning is the best time to water. Evening watering is less desirable because plant leaves that remain wet through the night are more susceptible to fungus diseases. Mulch plants to reduce water losses and improve yields.
Harvest onions and garlic as the tops dry and fall over. Braid garlic tops and hang in a cool, dry place. Cut onion tops back to 1" and dry thoroughly before storing. Use any damaged produce immediately.
Check the soil moisture of container grown vegetables and flowers daily. As the temperature rises, some plants may need water twice a day.
Water vegetable gardens deeply as needed.
Pinch herbs like basil, mint, oregano, and savory to promote bushy growth.
Prepare beds for fall crops by sowing them now with a cover crop of fast-growing field peas or other legumes

ZONE 8

Start seeds indoors for heading cole crops for your fall garden now. Direct sow, radish, carrots, beets, turnips, and kale, in mid-July through August.
Dig potatoes after vines have died.
Harvest vegetables such as beans, peas, squash, cucumbers and okra regularly to prolong production and enjoy peak freshness.
There is still time to plant heat loving field peas, lima beans, and asparagus beans
Watch the leaves of your tomato plants for signs of leaf spot diseases.
Continue monitoring for pest insects talked about in the May task list.
Keep deadheading flowers as needed to prolong the bloom season.
Flowering requires lots of energy so it can be quite helpful to fertilize flowering annual plants once flowering begins. Fertilize one more time before the end of the season.
Seeds can continue to be sown throughout July for late crops of beets, bush beans, carrots, chard, summer spinach, cucumbers, and summer squash. Cover with pre-moistened potting soil mix which will not be so likely to crust and crack. To hold in the moisture, cover the rows with a very thin layer of mulch or floating row cover fabric.
A garden needs one inch of rain or water each week. Early morning is the best time to water. Evening watering is less desirable because plant leaves that remain wet through the night are more susceptible to fungus diseases. Mulch plants to reduce water losses and improve yields.
Harvest onions and garlic as the tops dry and fall over. Braid garlic tops and hang in a cool, dry place. Cut onion tops back to 1" and dry thoroughly before storing. Use any damaged produce immediately.
Check the soil moisture of container grown vegetables and flowers daily. As the temperature rises, some plants may need water twice a day.
Water vegetable gardens deeply as needed.
Pinch herbs like basil, mint, oregano, and savory to promote bushy growth.
Prepare beds for fall crops by sowing them now with a cover crop of fast-growing field peas or other legumes.

ZONE 9

Butterfly lily and gladiolus can be planted during the middle of summer.
Summer annuals to still plant now include celosia, coleus, torenia, and ornamental pepper.
While summer is too hot to start herbs from seeds, many do well if started from small plants.
Continue planting palms while the rainy season is in full swing. Support large palms with braces for 6–8 months after planting. Nails should not be driven directly into a palm trunk.
Start your Halloween pumpkins this month, but watch out for mildew diseases. Other squashes, okra and Southern peas can also still be planted.
Some municipalities prohibit the application of fertilizer to lawns and/or landscape plants during the summer rainy season (June–September). See if such an ordinance exists in your area.
Use summer heat to solarize the vegetable garden for fall planting. It takes 4–6 weeks to kill weeds, disease, and nematodes, so start now.
Prune azalea no later than mid-July to protect developing buds for next spring's bloom.
Install an inexpensive rain shutoff device to save money by overriding an irrigation system when it rains. If one is already installed, check that it is operating properly.
Check citrus trees for damage to fruit or leaves and take action to minimize the effect of insects and/or disease on developing fruit and the overall health of the tree.

ZONE 10

Summer annuals to plant now include celosia, coleus, torenia, and ornamental pepper.
Bulbs of butterfly lily and gladiolus are bulbs that can be planted during the middle of summer.
While summer is too hot to start herbs from seeds, many, such as oregano and mint, do well if planted out from small plants.
Plant tropical vegetables, such as boniato, calabaza, and chayote this month.
Continue planting palms while the rainy season is in full swing. Support large palms with braces for 6–8 months after planting. Do not drive nails directly into a palm trunk.
Prepare for hurricane season by checking trees for damaged or weak branches and pruning if needed.
Numerous municipalities prohibit the application of fertilizer to lawns and/or landscape plants during the summer rainy season (June–September). See if such an ordinance exists in your area.
Use summer heat to solarize the vegetable garden for fall planting. It takes 4–6 weeks to kill weeds, disease, and nematodes, so start now.
Install an inexpensive rain shutoff device to save money by overriding an irrigation system when it rains. If one is already installed, check that it is operating properly.
Check fruit trees for damage to fruit or leaves and take action to minimize the effect of insects and/or disease on developing fruit or the overall health of the tree.

	*Article Written by: Angie Lavezzo*
	About the Author: Angie Lavezzo is the former general manager of Sow True Seed. Beyond her professional role at Sow True, Angie's passion for gardening extends into personal hands-on experience, fostering plants and reaping bountiful harvests.