July Plant Care Tips In Georgia

🌿 General Garden Tips For July

• Water deeply & early: Aim for early morning watering, 2–3 times a week. Prioritize trees, shrubs, and new plantings.

• Mulch heavily: Replenish mulch (2–3") to retain moisture and suppress weeds.

• Watch for heat stress: Wilting by evening is normal in extreme heat, check if plants recover by morning.

🌼 Flower Beds & Annuals

• Deadhead flowers: Remove spent blooms from zinnias, marigolds, and petunias to extend blooming.

• Cut back leggy annuals: Shear back plants like salvia and lantana to encourage fresh growth.

• Fertilize containers: Feed potted plants every 1–2 weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer.

🥒 Vegetable Gardens

• Harvest frequently: Pick tomatoes, peppers, and squash to keep plants producing.

• Start fall crops: Begin seeding broccoli, kale, collards, and carrots indoors or in a shaded area outdoors.

• Scout for pests: Look for squash vine borers, aphids, and spider mites—treat early if spotted.

🌳 Trees & Shrubs

• Check crape myrtles: Remove suckers at the base and spent blooms for continued flowering.

• Avoid major pruning: Wait until late winter for heavy pruning on most trees.

🍀 Lawns (Bermuda, Zoysia, Fescue)

• Mow at proper height:

  • Bermuda: 1–1.5"

  • Zoysia: 1.5–2"

  • Fescue: 3–4" (keep watered or let go dormant)

• Fertilize warm-season grasses: Apply nitrogen fertilizer to Bermuda/Zoysia this month—follow with 1" of irrigation.

• Spot treat weeds: Use a selective herbicide only if temperatures are below 85°F.

🐛 Pest & Disease Watch

• Monitor for fungal issues: Powdery mildew and leaf spot thrive in humidity—use neem oil or fungicide early.

• Look for Japanese beetles: Handpick or trap them away from target plants.

• Fire ants: Treat with baits like Amdro or Spinosad-based products.