Tips for the Garden - July 2021

            Even though the weather outside isn’t as enticing or enjoyable as it is in the spring of the year, it can still be enjoyed and there are still things that need to be done…

            The most important item to consider this time of year, naturally, is water….provide water in the garden, not only for the perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs, but also for the wildlife such as for birds, rabbits, squirrels, and the such.  And this can be done in several different ways.  One would be a simple drip irrigation system to take care of your plant life.  These systems can be installed with tools as simple as a scissors or knife.  Timers are also available to take even the guess work out of the project for you, and it continues to work even when you are on vacation.  This will be extremely important this summer season.

            Now don’t forget the wildlife as well.  Birds continue to give us enjoyment with new fledglings arriving as well as their daily antics.  Water can be supplied in the form of birdbaths, water fountains, or water garden displays.  Moving water is a bigger draw for this wildlife activity than still water, and it is safer, too.  With moving water, you do not need to worry about mosquitoes.

            Now that I have spent time expressing my concern and importance for water during the summer months, let me give you some other tips for the garden…

*Apply the “Permethrin” chemical to guard off grubs, fleas, ticks, etc. in the yard.

*Keep an eye out for powdery mildew and red spider mites this month in the garden.  Treat with Liquid Copper or Neem Oil, both organics.

*Remember to deep root water established trees and shrubs, as well, during drought conditions.

*Dig potatoes when the tops die and plant fall crops by the 15th.

*Sweet corn is ripe when the silks turn brown.

*For the fall garden, sow seeds of carrots, beets, turnips, winter radish, collards, kale, sweet corm and summer squash as earlier crops are harvested at the end of the month.  Also set out transplants of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower for the fall garden.

            For additional information about garden tips for summer, check out our website at www.hillermann.com, or stop by Hillermann’s.

 

Time to go… See you in the Garden…

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Tips for the Garden - July 2020

      Well summer has come with a vengeance of heat and humidity. This IS Missouri, right? This summer is seeing the opening of outdoor playgrounds, stores, facilities and so much more. Now is the time to gather and celebrate each other and enjoy nature! But please still do it at a safe distance.

by Hill

     We have all experienced a NEW spring never seen before with this COVID virus. We have learned from it, became more appreciative of our surroundings, and of family and friends. Now let us get back to keeping our little pieces of sanctuary (and sanity) in tack and enjoyable.

      It’s not too late to plant shrubs, perennials and annual flowers, but you will need to give them a little TLC for the summer.

      If Japanese beetles are attacking your plants, you have several options; from trapping (the safest) to spraying them. Japanese beetle traps are readily available and do a fantastic job of eradicating the problem naturally.

      Hot, dry weather is ideal for spider mite development. Damage may be present even before the webs are noticed. With spider mite damage, leaves may be speckled above and yellowed below. Evergreen needles appear dull gray-green to yellow to brown. Spray with permethrin to control this critter.
      Water conservation is of the utmost importance during our dry summer months. Water where it counts, at the roots, not the leaves. Drip irrigation systems in landscape beds do wonders for water conservation and are easy for the homeowner to install. Trees and shrubs would also benefit from a deep root watering this time of year. You can use a deep root feeder (without the fertilizer) for this purpose. Water plants around the drip line for best success. Doing this every 2-3 weeks is beneficial. When you mow your grass, cut it less frequently and at a higher level. Longer grass blades shade the soil and conserve moisture. Plant drought tolerant, native plants where possible.
Native plants are becoming a true staple in the landscape.

      Check your plant containers daily for water. Hanging baskets will need a drink at least once a day, sometimes even twice a day, depending on the weather. Provide water in the garden for birds during dry weather and they will repay you with wonderful antics and bird song. Enjoy nature and your gardens this summer. You will not regret it.

See you in the Garden,
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Garden Solutions - July 2018

            Even though the weather outside isn’t as enticing or enjoyable as it is in the spring of the year, you can still enjoy time outdoors and there are still things that need to be done….

            The most important item to consider this time of year, naturally, is water…. provide water in the garden, not only for the perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs, but also for the wildlife such as birds, rabbits, squirrels, and the such.  And this can be done in several different ways. One would be a simple drip irrigation system to take care of your plant life. These systems can be installed with tools as simple as a scissors or knife. Timers are also available to take even the guess work out of the project for you, and it continues to work even when you are on vacation. This will be extremely important this summer season, even more so then others, because of the dry spring season we have just experienced.

Birds continue to give us enjoyment with new fledglings arriving as well as their daily antics. Water can be supplied in the form of birdbaths, water fountains, or water garden displays. Moving water is a bigger draw for this wildlife activity than still water, and it is safer, too. With moving water, you do not need to worry about mosquitoes.

            Let me give you some other tips for the garden….

            *Keep deadheading spent annual flowers for continued blooming.

            *Keep an eye out for powdery mildew and red spider mites this month in the garden. Treat with Copper Fungicide or Malathion insecticide respectively.

            *Bearded irises can be divided at the end of the month. Discard old center sections. Replant so that the tops of the rhizomes are just above the ground level.

            *Remember to deep root water established trees and shrubs, as well as new plantings, during drought conditions.

            *Dig potatoes when the tops die back.

            *Sweet corn is ripe when the silks turn brown.

           

            For additional information about garden tips for summer, check out our website at www.hillermann.com.

Time to go…. See you in the Garden….

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Garden Solutions - July 2013

            Make this the NEW motto for your backyard: “Don’t GO away, GET away!” Wouldn’t it be inviting to have a getaway area in your yard? Make outdoor living, or an extension of your home outdoors, a priority this time of year. Create an outdoor living area with a reading space, a kitchen, a hammock, a family gathering spot, or a water feature for a soothing relaxation place. This action will enhance your property values and give you a great memory making area. As for the garden, there are still things that need to be done this month…

            The most important necessity this time of year, naturally, is water. Provide water in the garden, not only for the perennials, annuals, trees, and shrubs, but also for the wildlife such as birds, rabbits, squirrels, and more. There are several ways to make watering your lawn and flowerbeds easier. One would be a simple drip irrigation system to take care of your plant life. These systems can be installed with tools as simple as a scissors or knife and they are very cost effective. Timers are also available to take the guesswork out of watering for you, and the system will continue to work even when you are on vacation. Another way to make watering easier would be to have an irrigation system professionally installed.

 

            Now, do not forget to provide water for the wildlife as well as plants. Birds continue to give us enjoyment with new fledglings arriving to the feeders and birdbaths in our yard, as well as the adult birds themselves with their daily antics. Water can be supplied in the form of birdbaths, water fountains, or water garden displays. Moving water is a bigger draw for this wildlife activity than still water, and it is safer. With moving water, you do not need to worry about mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus. Any type of water feature will make your “outdoor living room” feel relaxing AND cooler! It is helpful to provide food for the birds now also. Feeding Meal Worms during this time will attract many species of birds, including (but not limited to) robins, wrens, bluebirds, cardinals, etc. This will also help the parents feed their hungry brood and insure a better survival rate.

            Now that I have spent time expressing my concern and importance for water during the summer months, let me give you some other tips for the garden…

·    Apply the chemical “Permethrin” after July 15^th, to guard off grubs, fleas, ticks, etc. in the yard.

·    Keep deadheading spent annual flowers for continued bloom.

·    DON’T pinch hardy garden mums after mid-July OR you may delay blooming for fall.

·    Keep an eye out for powdery mildew and red spider mites this month in the garden. Treat with copper fungicide for mildew or Malathion insecticide respectively.

·    MULCH VOLCANOES KILL!! What this means is that you should NOT build up mulch around your trees with the tip of the volcano up on the tree trunk. In fact, it has to be just the opposite. Put the shallow ring of mulch around the tree trunk and create a saucer effect of mulch around the outside of the tree ring. This will save the tree in several ways. First, it will not kill off the trunk, and second, it will keep mowers and trimmers from disturbing the trunk bark, which can be devastating to the trees success.

·    Bearded irises can be divided at the end of the month. Discard old center sections. Replant so that the tops of the rhizomes are just above the ground level.

·    Remember to deep root water established trees and shrubs, as well, during drought conditions.

·    Prune out and destroy old fruiting canes of raspberries after harvest is complete.

·    Dig potatoes when the tops die and plant fall crops by the 15^th.

·    Sweet corn is ripe when the silks turn brown.

·    For the fall garden, sow seeds of carrots, beets, turnips, winter radish, collards, kale, sweet corn and summer squash as earlier crops are harvested at the end of the month. Also, set out transplants of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower for the fall garden.

            This is also a good time of year to consider water conservation. Here are some water conservation tips for the home and garden:

·    Water plants where it counts. Water at the roots of plants not the leaves. Focus on watering more expensive trees and shrubs.

·    Stop feeding and fertilizing. Plants and grass that have been fertilized grow faster and consume more water.

·    When you mow your grass, cut less frequently and at a higher level. Cutting the lawn short promotes growth, and growth promotes water consumption. Longer grass will shade the ground and stay healthier.

·    Cut back on household water use. Place a plastic jug filled with water inside your toilet tank. The sealed jug displaces water and allows the tank to fill up more quickly. Use a half-gallon milk jug for older toilets, and a one-liter soda bottle for newer, low-flow toilets. Keep the jug in place with a string tied around it, secured in place from the weight of the tank lid.

·    Plant drought tolerant, native plants. Many native plants are drought and disease resistant and make great additions in your gardens. Once established, these plants will need less water than hybridized varieties. Your local independent garden center can help you choose varieties that will work well for the location of your garden.

           

            For additional garden tips for summer, check out our website at www.hillermann.com.

Time to go… See you in the Garden…

Sandi Hillermann McDonald

 

Garden Solutions - July 2011

Tip for the month of July—Sit Back and Relax!! For many of us, the 4th of July date marks the beginning of the entertainment season. And what a season it is! We plan, we phone, we shop, we decorate, we mow, we clean, we check supplies, we shop again, we cook, we carry lawn chairs and coolers outside, and we fret about the weather. When the guests arrive it all starts over. Pouring, serving, clearing, fetching, and recycling can fill hours, if we let them. So part of the planning needs to include ways to have some time for you to sit back and enjoy your party, too. Maybe an e-mail sent to everyone with one push of the button can replace two hours of phone calls. Making your event a potluck will eliminate much of the shopping and cooking. Be sure to have everyone bring their own beverages, table service and lawn chairs. And finally, don’t mow. Your lawn will do better with foot traffic if it is left a little bit longer. With all that settled, all that’s left for you to do is enjoy a good time! Now that we have talked about having parties and enjoying your yard and garden at home, let’s get down to other tasks at hand for July.

It’s not too late to plant shrubs, perennials and annual flowers, but you will need to give them a little TLC for the summer. If you haven’t been pinching back your garden mums all summer, cut them back by half as soon as possible and feed them. This task should not be done much after the 4th of July. This will help them to grow bushier and bloom in the fall when anticipated until Thanksgiving for late blooming varieties. Avoid applying weed killers, insecticides, fungicides and fertilizers to plants when the temperatures are above 90 degrees. Spray early in the morning when temperatures are below 85.

If Japanese beetles are attacking your plants, you have several options for controlling them, from handpicking (not my favorite) to trapping (the safest) or spraying them. Japanese beetle traps are readily available and do a fantastic job of eradicating the problem naturally. Remove infected leaves from roses and pick up fallen leaves. Continue fungicidal sprays as needed on these beauties. Keep deadheading spent annual and perennial flowers for continued bloom. Keep weeds from making seeds now. This will mean fewer weeds next year.

Hot, dry weather is ideal for spider mite development. Damage may be present even before the webs are noticed. With spider mite damage, leaves may be speckled above and yellowed below. Evergreen needles appear dull gray-green to yellow to brown. Spray with permethrin to control this critter. Sweet corn is ripe when the silks turn brown. Blossom –end rot occurs on tomato and peppers when soil moisture is uneven and the calcium level in the soil is not right. Liming the garden will help these issues next year.

Water conservation is of the utmost importance during our dry summer months. These following simple tips can save time and money. Water where it counts, water at the roots, not the leaves. Drip irrigation systems in landscape beds do wonders for water conservation. Drip irrigation systems are easy for the homeowner to install. Trees and shrubs would also benefit from a deep root watering this time of year. You can use a deep root feeder (without the fertilizer) for this purpose. Water them around the drip line of the tree for best success. Doing this every 2-3 weeks will keep your trees stress free. Water frequently enough to prevent wilting. When you mow your grass, cut it less frequently and at a higher level. Cutting it short promotes growth, and growth promotes water consumption. Longer grass blades shade the soil and conserve moisture. Plant drought tolerant, native plants where possible. Native plants are becoming more readily available in nursery settings.

Check your plant containers daily for water. Put your finger at least one inch down in the soil, if it is dry, water thoroughly. Hanging baskets will need a drink at least once a day, sometimes even twice a day, depending on the weather. Provide water in the garden for birds during dry weather and they will repay you with wonderful antics and bird song. Enjoy nature and your gardens this summer. You won’t regret it.

See you in the Garden,
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

Garden Solutions - July 2010

Even though the weather outside is not as enticing or enjoyable as it is in the spring of the year, we can still enjoy being outdoors. In addition, there are things that still need to be done in the garden and landscape.

The most important item to consider this time of year, naturally, is water… Provide water to your garden, for not only the perennials, annuals, trees and shrubs, but do it also for the wildlife such as birds, rabbits, and squirrels. This can be done in several different ways. One way would be to install a drip irrigation system. These systems can be installed with tools as simple as a scissors or knife. Timers are also available to take the guesswork out of the project, and the system continues to work even when you are on vacation. This will be extremely important during summer seasons to provide moisture to new and established plantings. Now, Don’t forget the wildlife as well. Birds continue to give us enjoyment with new fledglings arriving as well as their daily antics. Supply water for them in forms of birdbaths, water fountains, or water garden displays. Moving water is a bigger draw for this wildlife activity than still water, and it is safer, too. With moving water, you do not need to worry about mosquitoes and the West Nile Virus.

Now that I have spent time expressing my concern and importance for water during the summer months, let me give you some other tips for the garden…

· Apply the chemical “Permethrin” after July 15th, to guard off grubs, fleas, ticks, etc. in the yard.
· Keep deadheading spent annual flowers for continued bloom.
· DON’T pinch hardy garden mums after mid-July OR you may delay blooming for fall.
· Keep an eye out for powdery mildew and red spider mites this month in the garden. Treat with Copper Fungicide or Malathion insecticide respectively.
· MULCH VOLCANOES KILL!! What this means is that you should NOT build up mulch around your trees with the tip of the volcano up on the tree trunk. In fact, it has to be just the opposite. Put the shallow ring of mulch around the tree trunk and build up a saucer effect of mulch around the outside of the tree ring. This will save the tree in several ways. First, it will not kill off the trunk, and second, it will keep mowers and trimmers from disturbing the trunk bark, which can be devastating to the trees success.
· Bearded irises can be divided at the end of the month. Discard old center sections. Replant so that the tops of the rhizomes are just above the ground level.
· Remember to deep root water established trees and shrubs, as well, during drought conditions.
· Prune out and destroy old fruiting canes of raspberries after harvest is complete.
· Dig potatoes when the tops die and plant fall crops by the 15th.
· Sweet corn is ripe when the silks turn brown.
· For the fall garden, sow seeds of carrots, beets, turnips, winter radish, collards, kale, sweet corn and summer squash as earlier crops are harvested at the end of the month. Also, set out transplants of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower for the fall garden.

This is also a good time of year to consider water conservation. Here are some water conservation tips for the home and garden:

· Water plants where it counts. Water at the roots of plants not the leaves. Focus on watering more expensive trees and shrubs.
· Stop feeding and fertilizing. Plants and grass that have been fertilized grow faster and consume more water.
· When you mow your grass, cut less frequently and at a higher level. Cutting the lawn short promotes growth, and growth promotes water consumption. Longer grass will shade the ground and stay healthier.
· Cut back on household water use. Place a plastic jug filled with water inside your toilet tank. The sealed jug displaces water and allows the tank to fill up more quickly. Use a half-gallon milk jug for older toilets, and a one-liter soda bottle for newer, low-flow toilets. Keep the jug in place with a string tied around it, secured in place from the weight of the tank lid.
· Plant drought tolerant, native plants. Many native plants are drought and disease resistant and make great additions in your gardens. Once established, these plants will need less water than hybridized varieties. Your local independent garden center can help you choose varieties that will work well for the location of your garden.

For additional garden tips for summer, check out our website at www.hillermann.com.

Time to go… See you in the Garden…
Sandi Hillermann McDonald

July Tips for the Garden 2009

I, for one, cannot believe it is the first of July already. This year is really flying by. This is the month for picnics, vacations, family reunions, and for just enjoying the outdoors in general. One of the tasks to take care of this month is weeding. If you put a pre-emergent weed control product in your landscape beds in March or April, you are due for a second application now. There are two reasons for this. First, most of the pre-emergent products that are available to the homeowner have a short life span, up to 60 days. The second reason is due to all of the rain we have had. However, there are many benefits to the very adequate rainfalls this year. One of them is the ease with which some normally difficult weeds can be pulled. So take time to clean up your landscape beds and apply a pre-emergent as soon as possible.

The long hot days of summer are stressful to every living creature, including all your plants. If you are tired of the endless task of keeping your plants watered, it is time to think about adding mulch to your beds.

I know that hotter weather is just ahead, so do yourself and your plantings a huge favor and apply mulch. If you have beds that have never been mulched, add 3” around all annuals, perennials, roses, trees and shrubs. Top dress previously mulched beds with an additional inch of fresh mulch. Not only does mulch hold in moisture, relieving you of some of your watering tasks, it also keeps the soil cooler, so your plants will be less heat-stressed. An added bonus is that weed seeds have a difficult time germinating when buried in mulch, reducing the time you spend weeding.

One of the most common questions that we receive at this time of year is, “How much do I water my ______?” I will try to explain some basic guidelines here:

Vegetables and Bedding Plants planted in the ground: established plants need at least one inch of water per week, more when bearing fruit. Check the soil around the plants, when it is dry one inch down, it’s time to water.

Container Gardens and Hanging Baskets: check your containers every day for water. Either test the soil by touch or lift the pot. Most baskets and many containers will need to be watered once, or even twice a day, depending on the weather. I suggest you fertilize once a week.

Perennials: newly planted perennials need daily watering until established, at least one to two weeks, depending on weather. After they show signs of new growth, apply a one inch per week rule.

Trees and Shrubs: newly planted trees and shrubs should be watered every 4-5 days for the entire first year after planting, unless rainfall is abundant. Place the end of your hose next to the base of the plant and let the water trickle very slowly for about two hours. This will allow the root zone to become thoroughly saturated.

Established Lawns: your lawn should be watered when the grass blades don’t bounce back after being walked on. One inch of water per week should keep your lawn green and healthy. It is best to water early in the morning, before the heat of the day. This keeps evaporation to a minimum, and allows plenty of time for the grass to dry before nightfall, which will help prevent fungus problems.

Newly Seeded or Sodded Lawns: for better germination, I suggest you mulch grass seed with straw as soon as it is planted. Once seed has germinated or sod has been laid, they must not be allowed to dry out. Water daily with a sprinkler until there is good growth. Early morning is again the best time. Once established, go back to the one inch per week rule.

Water Gardens: also require an occasional addition of water. Check your pond weekly and add water as needed. Water plants have variable depth requirements, so you need to keep the water levels consistent.

So continue to enjoy your outdoor spaces and make relationships with your plants! They can give you so much in return!

See you in the Garden,
Sandi Hillermann McDonald