July garden to-do list for my zone 3 Calgary garden

I'm too busy in the garden these days to spend much time writing about what I need to get done this month!  But here's the short version of my July garden to-do list:

PERENNIALS

• there are a few such as perennial geraniums and perennial bachelor's buttons that can be cut back hard after they finish their first flush of flowers.  I know it hurts to do it and sometimes I don't... but then I regret it.  If cut back they'll come back quickly and maybe even flower again later in the season.  If you don't cut them back they flop and look messy the rest of the year.
• make a quick pass through the beds each week to pull any weeds.  I did a very thorough weeding and mulching job this spring so this job should be pretty easy for the rest of the summer - still there are always a few stragglers and it's best to pull any weeds before they set seed.
• water.  I do try to minimize the watering but I will do it when there hasn't been rain for a week.  There are also pots and a few moisture-lovers in my garden (eg. astilbe) that I will hand-water with water from the rain barrel.  Pots also get some water-soluble fertilizer mixed in with their water once a week.
• deadhead anything that doesn't produce nice-looking seed heads (eg. irises)
• support clematis by tying to trellis where necessary; some perennials will need staking soon eg. globe thistle and my tall rudbeckia.

TREES & SHRUBS

• deep water these probably once this month with a soaker hose around the drip zone.
• prune the lilacs after they're done flowering (soon!  Don't leave it too late or you won't get flowers next year.)

VEGETABLES, FRUIT and HERBS

• cover the strawberries with mesh so the birds don't get 'em.
• thin crowded vegetables
• continue to water all food producers regularly (more often than once a week that the perennial garden gets)
• pinch off secondary branches from indeterminate tomatoes.

Comments

[Laura]

Good tips for the season! I think I've missed my moment to trim the Lilac. I may give it a go anyways. It's been looking a little shaggy as of late.