Blog

By the time July rolls around, many gardeners are struggling to keep their plants hydrated and healthy, while others only have a month or two left in their growing season. Fewer people are buying plants at this time of year, so business owners often offer deep discounts to clear out their inventory. You can score some really great deals on flowers and other plants that you may have been eyeing all season, along with a few new discoveries.

But before you run to your local nursery, there are a few things you should know about late-season gardening. We reached out to Marc Mbida, owner of Lush Turf & Outdoor Services LLC, a landscaping and lawn care company in Gaithersburg, Maryland, to learn more about caring for outdoor plants in July. While he generally advises against “planting in mid to late summer, especially when we have extreme heat waves and droughts,” he shared some advice with us on the best plants to look for, along with tips on helping them survive the summer.

You can find these flowers and shrubs at your local nursery.

The best flowers and shrubs to look for can vary depending on your climate. If you live in a warmer area, look for heat-hardy plants to give them the best chance of survival. “As a landscaper, I would recommend plants like liriopes, canna lilies, or vincas, as they do quite well in very hot conditions,” says Mbida.

Some other flowers to consider are:

• Sunflower
• Marigold
• Zinnia
• Lantana
• California poppy
• Alyssum
• Cosmos
• Penta’s
• Red yucca

If you’re looking for a shrub, says Mbida, who lives in Hardiness Zone 7, “A lot of my customers like the golden euonymus. It stays yellow and green all year long.” Whether you’re buying flowers, shrubs or other plants, he says, “Always read the labels, because they give you important information about the plants.”

These herbs and vegetables can also bring success.

If you’re looking for things to plant in July, you might also want to look at herb and vegetable options. With the right care, fast-growing herbs like basil, oregano, rosemary, cilantro, sage, and parsley can be planted in mid-summer, depending on where you live. If you can’t find young plants at your local garden center, you can also buy a few seed packets, as these herbs don’t take long to germinate.

Depending on your zone, you can also plant and grow a few vegetables in July. Some options include carrots, cauliflower, cucumbers, pumpkins, squash, and tomatoes.

Some plants are not worth wasting your time or money on in July.

It is important to do some research before purchasing any flowers, herbs, shrubs, or vegetables. You should learn about the ideal growing conditions, along with the conditions in which the plant is unlikely to survive. The plants to avoid will vary depending on the zone in which you live.

For example, most tomato varieties will not produce fruit if grown in temperatures above 90 degrees Fahrenheit. They may only be a viable option if you live in a cooler region. Lettuce is another vegetable that you may want to forgo in July. The ideal temperature for growing them is between 45 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. When grown in warmer climates, the leaves will bolt or send up flower shoots. This gives them a bitter and unpleasant flavor.

Please view each plant in person before purchasing.

If you’re going to buy plants in July, it’s best to do so in person. Mbida recommends doing a close inspection before making a purchase. Look for signs of damage or stress that could hurt the plant’s chances of survival in an already less-than-ideal growing situation. “Some telltale signs include wilting leaves/petals, dry looking plants, white spots, and drooping,” Mbida says.

Other tips for planting in July.

As we’ve shared before, July doesn’t offer the optimal growing conditions for many gardeners. You’ll need to be prepared to put in some extra time and effort. Here are a few tips for gardening in extreme heat:

• Water, water, water and more water: According to Mbida, you should be prepared to water your plants at least twice a day, 4 or 5 days a week. He explains: “Planting a new shrub/bush/flower is a process where you take a root system that has been kept in a plastic container or jute bag, and you expect the root system of the new planting to establish itself in a new environment with frequent watering.”
• Know when to water: Avoid watering in the afternoon, as the high sun will evaporate the water quickly. Instead, water in the morning. This will allow the water to soak in and reach the roots before it all evaporates.
• Cover your garden beds with mulch: Mulch can help prevent all water from evaporating from the soil while also limiting weed growth.
• Don’t skip the fertilizer: Fertilizing is also important when planting in July. “A lot of people make the mistake of thinking that just planting and watering is enough,” Mbida says. “The truth is you need to fertilize and water continuously.”
• Stay informed about weeds: Remove weeds as soon as possible so that the plants in the garden have enough space and there is sufficient air circulation.