Mid-Summer Garden Refresh
Simple Ways to Keep Your Garden Looking Beautiful Through August
July is when the garden really begins to reward all the work you put in this spring. The containers are filling out, perennial beds are blooming, vegetables are producing, and everything finally starts coming together. But if you'd like your garden to continue looking its best through August—and even into fall—a little maintenance each week makes a big difference.
Deadhead Spent Blooms
One of the easiest ways to encourage more flowers is by removing faded blooms. Many annuals and several perennials will continue producing new flowers instead of putting their energy into making seed. Just a few minutes of deadheading while you're walking through the garden can keep plants looking fresh and blooming longer.
Trim Back Reblooming Perennials
Several popular perennials, including salvia, catmint, and hardy geraniums, often reward you with another flush of blooms after a light trim. Once the first round of flowers has faded, don't be afraid to give the plant a haircut. It may look a little bare for a short time, but you'll often be rewarded with fresh growth and additional blooms.
Feed Your Annuals Every Week
Annuals are heavy feeders, especially those growing in containers and hanging baskets where nutrients are used up quickly. Feeding with a water-soluble fertilizer once each week helps keep foliage healthy and encourages continuous flowering throughout the season.
Stay Ahead of the Weeds
A few minutes of weeding every couple of days is much easier than tackling an overgrown garden later. Pull weeds while they're small and before they have a chance to produce seed. Your plants will appreciate having less competition for water and nutrients.
Remove Yellow or Damaged Foliage
As plants mature, it's natural for an occasional leaf to yellow or become damaged. Removing tired foliage keeps your containers and landscape beds looking fresh while improving air circulation around the plant, which can also help reduce disease issues.
The nice thing about July is that most of the hard work is behind us. Instead of rushing to get everything planted, we get to enjoy watching the garden grow. Spending just a little time each week maintaining your plants will help keep your landscape healthy, colorful, and enjoyable for the rest of the season.
Whether you're looking for colorful annuals, fertilizers, gardening supplies, or advice for your own landscape, our team is always happy to help. Stop in and see what's growing—we'd love to help you enjoy your garden all season long.
The Landscape Connection
4472 S. Mulford Rd.
Rockford, IL 61109
(815) 874-8733
www.TheLandscapeConnection.net
