![Gardening Calendar for July Gardening Calendar for July](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-hero.jpg)
Gardening in July is hot, hot, hot! As temperatures increase, vegetable gardens pump out the produce and flowers bloom nonstop. This extreme month is also peak time for pests and diseases to appear in your garden.
Fill your outdoor spaces with beautiful blooms to greet visitors to your home when you entertain. Look for Drop-n-Bloom containers at your local The Home Depot Garden Center that will take the guesswork and planting out of creating containers. Red, white and blue combinations featuring colorful geraniums, petunias, lobelia, calibrachoas and pentas will add patriotic panache to your front porch.
Keep up with the harvest by checking your vegetable garden every day. Even if you’re not harvesting every day, it’s a good idea to scout for insects and diseases by checking underneath leaves and examining new fruit for signs of nibbling or infestation. Frequently pick high producing vegetables like zucchini, squash and cucumbers. When they get too big, they lose flavor.
Like vegetable gardens, lawns need about an inch of water each week. An irrigation system makes it easy to deliver water to your thirsty lawn.
Start seeds indoors this month for your fall garden crops like greens and root vegetables. There’s still time for a second crop of summertime favorites like green beans and squash. If you start with seedlings, you’ll have more time to harvest before frost.
July Garden Checklist
![July Garden Checklist July Garden Checklist](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-1.jpg)
- Display Bright Summer Annuals
In early July, celebrate the star-spangled holiday with the best of the outdoors, like watermelon grown in your garden, and decorations including red, white and blue flowers. Create bouquets with colorful blooms from the Garden Center. Look for Drop-n-Bloom displays to decorate your front porch and patio in patriotic style.
- Harvest Vegetables From the Garden
Share the bounty of your vegetable garden, like squash, tomatoes and cucumbers, with friends and family. Can and preserve tomatoes and other produce. If you’ve never canned before, it’s easy to learn how.
- Make Plans for Your Fall Garden
As the summer harvest comes in, it’s time to plan for the next season. Start seeds and prepare beds for your fall garden now.
Pacific Northwest
![Pacific Northwest Pacific Northwest](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-2.jpg)
Now is the time to harvest your favorite summer veggies, herbs like basil, garlic, peas and summer squash. Water your lawn 2-3 times each week to keep it green and vibrant.
North California Coastal
![North California Coastal North California Coastal](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-3.jpg)
Add mulch as needed to preserve the moisture in your soil. Water plants at least twice per day when temperatures routinely exceed 100 degrees. Continue to harvest summer crops as they ripen.
South California Coastal
![South California Coastal South California Coastal](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-4.jpg)
Plan your gardening routine for early mornings or early evenings to avoid tending in extreme heat. Make sure trees, shrubs and perennials are receiving enough water, and mow the lawn often to mitigate weed growth.
Southwestern Desert
![Southwestern Desert Southwestern Desert](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-5.jpg)
Cultivate the soil in your garden bed to make sure air is getting to the roots of your plants. Hose them down at dawn to add humidity and reduce the presence of spider mites.
Western Mountains
![Western Mountains Western Mountains](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-6.jpg)
Water plants earlier in the day or as the sun begins to set to avoid rapid evaporation. Consider making a rain barrel to conserve water and make the most of your natural resources. Fertilize roses mid-month to encourage a healthy late-summer bloom.
High Plains
![High Plains High Plains](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-7.jpg)
Snip dying flower heads on perennials, and fertilize potted annuals 2-3 times this month. Taller stems will continue to rise, so insert stakes as needed.
Northern Midwest
![Northern Midwest Northern Midwest](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-8.jpg)
Tomatoes, corn, raspberries and peaches will be at season’s peak, so pick and enjoy your fresh summer harvest. Shear annuals as they begin to fade, and change the solution in your bird feeder at least three times a week.
Central Midwest
![Central Midwest Central Midwest](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-9.jpg)
Add mulch to younger crops to protect their moisture reserves and keep weeds in check. Top pinch your mums mid-month for a healthy fall bloom, and look out for Japanese beetles in your rose garden.
Mid-Atlantic
![Mid-Atlantic Mid-Atlantic](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-10.jpg)
Grass should be cut to a height of 3-4 inches, and refrain from using any herbicides on the entire lawn this month. Instead, spot-treat weeded areas and manually remove Crabgrass as it begins to emerge. Prune problem branches on hedges and trees.
New England
![New England New England](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-11.jpg)
Seize the warm weather and plant another round of string beans, leafy lettuce and other quick-growing vegetables. Harvest raspberries, blueberries and gooseberries for delicious smoothies, jams and jellies. Continue to water your lawn as rainfall slows, and spot-feed thinning patches.
Upper South
![Upper South Upper South](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-12.jpg)
Spray pesticides more sparingly this month. Mist plants earlier in the day, ensuring veggies receive at least 1-inch of water each week. This is also the time to plant your favorite fall vegetables, like sweet potatoes and pumpkins.
Middle South
![Middle South Middle South](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-13.jpg)
Start planning your fall harvest and plant seeds for pumpkins, squash, okra and other autumnal vegetables. Pull up summer weeds and apply fresh mulch to inhibit new growth. Make sure everything is well-watered to withstand those long, hot afternoons.
Lower South
![Lower South Lower South](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-14.jpg)
Check on your irrigation system to make sure the sprinkler heads are clear of debris and properly aimed at your lawn or garden. Give your rose bushes a break from the fertilizer while they soak up the summer heat. Restock bird feeders and clean your bird bath.
Coastal and Tropical South
![Coastal and Tropical South Coastal and Tropical South](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-15.jpg)
Mist fruit trees with fungicide to preserve your upcoming harvest. Aerate and fertilize your lawn as you establish a seasonal irrigation cycle.
South Florida
![South Florida South Florida](https://contentgrid.homedepot-static.com/hdus/en_US/DTCCOMNEW/Articles/gardening-calendar-for-july-section-16.jpg)
Start preparing for hurricane season early. Check nearby trees and prune damaged branches. Let the summer sun solarize your soil which helps kill pests naturally.