JULY
General
Water demand by most plants increases with summer heat. Most plants need at least 1 inch of water per week. This includes trees, shrubs, ornamentals, vegetables and warm season turfgrass. Fescue lawns need 2 inches of water per week.
Ornamentals, Trees, Shrubs
Expect some leaf fall. Clear yellow leaves are a normal reaction to drought. Water young plantings and container-grown plants well. As heat intensifies young plants may need water every two to three days. Arrange for watering when vacationing.
Spider mites on a host of plants. They are a problem during hot, dry weather. Two or more treatments normally required.
Obscure scale insect crawlers become active in July and August on pin oaks, burr oaks and pecans among others. Control during crawler stage. See OSU Pub. 7306 – Ornamental and Lawn Pest Control.
Turf Grass
Mow cool season grasses at 3 inches high, warm season at 2 1/2 inches. Mowing should be frequent enough to remove not more than one-third of the leaf blade per cutting.
Water mature grass to wet soil 4-6 inches deep when footprint impressions remain after walking over lawn.
Brown patch disease of cool-season grasses may show up See OSU Pub. 6420 – Lawn Management in Oklahoma.
Do not fertilize cool season grasses this month.
Fertilize warm season grasses on quick release program with one pound of nitrogen (only) per 1000 square feet. Do not fertilize warm season grasses this month when on the slow release program.
Control unwanted bermudagrass with one of the new grass-only killing herbicides.
Vegetative planting of warm season lawns completed by end of month. Seed as appropriate for the grass variety desired. 6419 – Establishing a Lawn in Oklahoma.
Vegetables
Plan the fall garden. Make a planting schedule. See Gardening tips for Oklahoma gardeners
Fall tomatoes transplants and frost tender vegetables in by mid-month.
Please read the label when using pesticides. Verify the use of the chemical for that particular plant. Also note the “days to harvest” waiting period before the vegetable can be harvested and consummed.
Leave a Reply