It’s officially summertime, and things are heating up in the garden! From weeding  to pruning, a few gardening tasks will set you up for success during some of the most prolific blooming periods of the year. So here you’ll find our timely garden tasks to do in July.   Watering: In hotter temperatures, water your garden frequently to keep plants happy. If no rain, water twice a week. Aim for 1 inch of rain per week at 75°F, plus 1/2 inch for every 10 degrees above. (Ex. For 85°F, aim for 1.5" of rainfall. A good sprinkler is essential.) Shop our watering tools here. Mulch: Apply a thin layer of mulch over the root zone of your perennials and shrubs to lock in soil moisture as the summer heat sets in. Keep a 4-6" circle of open soil next to the stems to avoid any stem rot diseases. Shop our mulch here. Natives: Consider adding native plants to your garden when filling open spaces. Natives and local fauna (insects, birds and animals) developed relying on each other for hundreds of years. Even adding just a few native plants to your yard will attract more native birds, animals and pollinators. Shop our native plants here. Coneflowers: As summer temperatures rise in the garden, many plants start to fade. Not coneflowers (Echinacea)! These long-blooming perennials thrive in full sun and heat, adding vibrant color to the garden from summer to frost. Coneflowers aren’t only pretty – they’re also problem-solvers in the landscape. They adapt easily to any well-draining soil (even poor soils) and can handle mild drought once established. Even in gardens plagued with deer, coneflowers always seem unfazed. Deer and other garden pests dislike their hairy leaves, stems, and prickly cones that serve as the namesake of this hardy perennial. Shop our coneflowers here. Potted Tropicals: Enhance the decor your patio with potted tropical plants like Hibiscus, Bouganvilla, Palms and Bird of Paradise. Shop our tropical plants here. Deadhead: Continually deadhead spent flowers, especially on roses, for more blooms. Insects: Insects are returning – good and bad! Inspect your plants for signs of pest damage and treat them accordingly. Using systemic products that last for 30 days in the leaves that are sprayed; are more Earth-Friendly because they are not sprayed as frequently killing beneficial insects. Spraying at dusk is the most Earth-friendly time to apply them; as the pollinators are back at their hives at dusk.    BioAdvanced® | Dual Action Rose & Flower Insect Killer BioAdvanced® | 3-in-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Control Ready to Spray with Hose End Sprayer BioAdvanced® | 3-in-1 Insect, Disease, & Mite Control Ready to Use with Trigger Sprayer Herbs: Harvest and use perennial herbs (like rosemary, lavender, mint or sage) in summer cocktails and other recipes. The pruning that is used for harvesting encourages bushier, fuller plants – so there will be more herbs to use. Shop our herbs here. Fertilizer: If the first application of Dr. Earth fertilizer was made in May, it lasted for 60 days. July is the time for another application (1 cup per 10 square feet). Dr. Earth Bud & Bloom Booster (around Hydrangeas) Dr. Earth Rose & Flower (Roses, Annuals and Perennials)  Dr. Earth Tomato, Vegetable and Herb (Vegetables, Tomatoes and Herbs)  Dr. Earth Fruit Tree Fertilizer (all fruit producing trees, shrubs and flowering trees like Crabapples and Lilacs).      Japanese Beetles: Japanese beetles will be returning in July. Use a systemic drench on roses and the other plants in the rose family that Japanese Beetles love to eat. BioAdvanced | All-in-One Rose and Flower Care | 32 Oz. Weeding: Keep on weeding! It feels like a never-ending task, but it keeps your garden tidy and healthy.   Jennifer Brennan Jennifer Brennan is the Horticulture Information Specialist, advising and coaching gardeners at Chalet for over 30 years.

At Chalet, our Sustainability Committee plays a central role in shaping our commitment to sustainable gardening and promoting practices that have a better impact on our local ecosystem. Guided by a vision for sustainable landscapes, we are continually working to identify and address plants that pose challenges to biodiversity while promoting alternatives that harmonize with nature. 

Are you looking to create a vibrant, ecologically sustainable garden that supports local wildlife? If so, native plants are your best allies. In the North Shore of Chicago, we have a unique opportunity to not only enhance the beauty of our residential gardens but also contribute positively to the local environment. The Sustainability Committee at Chalet is passionate about native plants, and we want to share it with you.