Your Garden This Month: July

Well, by now if you are growing any stone fruit, you should have all your leaves cleaned up and applied a copper spray to your trees. Depending what you’re using, this application should be repeated to ensure a good cover through winter, particularly after heavy rain events.

Pre-emergent weed killers can be applied to couch and buffalo. Just make sure the product is compatible with your turf type. Again, read the label and understand the product and any safety instructions before you use it.

July is a great time to plant deciduous trees or shrubs. The nurseries are now stocked up to the brim, and the climate perfect to get them settled in. If you’re considering transplanting a touchy tree, now is your best opportunity to do so. Take advantage of the cooler weather which helps prevent shock to the tree.

Hedging your plants at this time of the year when there is little growth will cause them to be more compact, and the will stay tidy until spring growth appears.

We are in the middle of pruning season, so it’s time to prune your fruit trees and roses. Try to avoid those wet days; tree wounds heal better in dry weather. When pruning, aim to reduce height, thin canopy to allow better airflow and cut out all dead, diseased and growth that has poor vigour.

Tip cutting propagation can be undertaken at this time of the year, particularly hardwood herbs and flowering plants like lavender. The use of hormone gel or powder may help improve your strike rate. Some say that honey can also achieve good results.

Lawn maintenance should aim to remove leaves and debris from the lawn. Avoid cutting too deep in to the plant, as dormant grasses may turn brown and not recover their colour very well through winter.

Remember, when mowing a lawn, cutting a leaf tip is creating a wound or lesion to the grass. So try to avoid cutting your lawn before extended rain events, as 11 or more hours of leaf wetness can set your lawn up for a fungal attack.

Get growing and plant a tree today!

David

David Allington

David is the owner of Allingtons Lawn & Garden Care. He has been in the horticultural industry for nearly two decades, and has pioneered an exciting gardening services business at the cutting edge of the industry. Through this site, he shares his knowledge and expertise. Return to the home page to view all on offer or drop us a line via the contact form.