Summer Maintenance for a Healthy Garden

Garden Clean-Up

• Cut back foliage of spring bulbs once it begins to yellow.


• Prune broken, dead, and diseased branches.


• Deadhead shrubs and perennials to focus plant energy on root growth instead of seed production.


• Deadhead annuals to promote more flowers.


• Clean tools after each use.
  

Fertilizing

• Annuals, vegetables, and container plants need regular applications throughout the summer.

Mulching

• Apply mulch to conserve water and reduce weeds.


• Good options include wood chips, pine needles, straw, cocoa shells, compost.
  

July Planting for Late Summer and Autumn Bloom

• Tender perennials: potted begonias, dahlias, canna lilies


• Hardy perennials: mums, Japanese anemones, asters
  

Caring for Lawns

• Raise lawnmower blade to a height of 3 inches because longer grass is healthier and shades weeds.


• Don't fertilize turf in the heat of summer unless it's routinely watered.
  

Visiting Public Gardens

• Visit gardens, parks, and forest preserves to view summer displays and get ideas.