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.

Learn how to choose, plant, and maintain hostas for lush, beautiful shade gardens that thrive in North Shore yards.

Fresh herbs can completely change the way our kitchens feel and taste. A few snips of basil into pasta, chives over scrambled eggs, or mint in sparkling water make everyday meals feel special. The best part is that you do not need any gardening background, a big yard, or fancy tools to grow them successfully. Herbs are some of the easiest plants to grow, which makes them perfect for first-time gardeners in the Chicago North Shore area. At Chalet Home + Garden in Wilmette, IL, we help many customers start their very first herb gardens on patios, balconies, and sunny windowsills.  We will walk through which herbs to start with, what grows well together, whether containers or garden beds are right for you, when to plant in our local climate, and simple care steps so you can harvest with confidence. Choosing Foolproof Herbs for Your First Garden When you are new to herb gardening, it helps to start with plants that forgive a few mistakes. These culinary staples are great first choices: Basil, a must for Italian dishes, loves warm weather and regular harvesting, and it grows quickly so you see results fast. Parsley, curly or flat-leaf, handles cooler temperatures and bounces back well from regular cutting. Chives, with their mild onion flavor, are hardy and return each year in the ground. Mint, excellent for drinks and desserts, grows vigorously and tolerates a range of light conditions. Thyme, oregano, and rosemary are classic Mediterranean herbs that like sun and slightly dry soil. If you prefer a simple starting plan, try grouping herbs by how you cook. A pizza and pasta collection might include basil, oregano, and thyme in one container near the kitchen. A tea and mocktail grouping could feature mint, lemon balm, and chamomile for easy steeping or muddling. For beginners, buying healthy starter plants instead of growing from seed makes the experience smoother. Starters give you a head start on the season, you can see the plant’s health before you bring it home, and you skip the trickier seedling stage. At our plant nursery in Wilmette, IL, we offer herb starts selected for our North Shore conditions so you can focus on learning to care for them and enjoy the harvest. What Herbs Grow Well Together and What to Separate Herbs do best when they share a container or bed with plants that like similar conditions. A simple way to think about it is to group by how much sun and moisture they prefer. Mediterranean sun-lovers enjoy bright light and slightly dry soil between waterings. These include: Rosemary Thyme Oregano Sage Leafy moisture-lovers appreciate rich soil and more consistent moisture, especially in containers. These include basil, parsley, and cilantro. Planting these in the same pot or section of the bed makes it easier to water correctly without stressing one type or the other. Some herbs prefer their own space. Mint and lemon balm spread by underground stems and can quickly crowd out neighbors in a shared container or garden bed. We usually suggest growing each of these in its own pot. You can still group the pots together visually, but giving them separate containers keeps them from taking over. To make planning easier, think of container “recipes.” A full-sun Mediterranean pot might include rosemary in the center, with thyme and oregano spilling over the sides. A partial-shade leafy pot near a porch rail could feature basil, parsley, and chives. You can also think in terms of use, like a grilling pot, with rosemary and thyme within arm’s reach of the back door to snip while the grill heats. Containers vs. Garden Beds for Beginner Herb Growers Both containers and garden beds work well for herbs, so the right choice depends on your space and lifestyle. Containers are ideal for patios, balconies, and sunny stoops. They are flexible, can be moved to chase the sun, and they keep vigorous spreaders like mint contained. Garden beds give roots more room and usually hold moisture longer during hot periods, so they sometimes need less frequent watering. When choosing containers, look for pots with drainage holes so extra water can escape. Terracotta, ceramic, or plastic all work, as long as the pot is big enough for the herbs to grow. In general, a 10- to 12-inch pot, comfortably fits two or three small herbs, while larger mixed planters can hold more. Use a high-quality potting mix designed for containers, not heavy garden soil, so roots get air and drain well. If you have a yard space, dedicate a small section near the kitchen to herbs. Most culinary herbs want at least 6 hours of sun, so pick a bright spot. Loosen the soil, mix in compost to improve structure, and plant your herbs in groups that match their water needs. A narrow bed along a walkway or by the back steps can become a handy “cut-and-come-again” herb strip. Many new gardeners like a hybrid plan: a raised planter or small bed for everyday cooking herbs, plus separate pots for spreading plants like mint. Our team at Chalet can help you match containers, soil, and plant choices to the light and space you have. When to Plant Herbs in the Chicago North Shore Climate Timing matters when you are planting herbs outside in the Chicagoland area, since our spring nights can stay cool. Some herbs tolerate lower temperatures and can be planted earlier in the season, while others prefer to wait for consistent warmth. Cool-tolerant herbs such as chives, parsley, thyme, and oregano can usually handle earlier outdoor planting. They will often be fine with cooler nights as long as the soil is workable and they are not exposed to hard freezes. Warm-loving herbs like basil and rosemary prefer to wait until the risk of frost has passed and nights feel mild. Basil in particular sulks in cold, damp conditions, so a little patience pays off with faster, healthier growth. If you are eager to get started, you can grow herbs indoors on a sunny windowsill first. Choose a bright south- or west-facing window, use smaller pots with drainage, and rotate the plants every few days so they grow evenly. Once outdoor conditions are ready, introduce your herbs to the outside gradually. Set the pots outdoors in a sheltered, shaded spot for a few hours a day, then increase time and light over about a week so they can harden off and adjust. Weather can be unpredictable, so we always recommend checking with our staff at Chalet for current-season guidance, especially if a cold snap or heat wave is in the forecast. Easy Care Routines to Keep Herbs Thriving Once your herbs are planted, a simple routine is all you need. Watering is the first key. Before you reach for the watering can, press a fingertip into the soil. If the top inch feels dry, it is time to water. If it still feels damp, wait a day and check again. Drooping leaves can signal thirst, but if the soil is soggy and leaves are yellowing, that can point to overwatering instead. Most culinary herbs want at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sun daily. A sunny patio, front steps, or south-facing window can all work. If your plants start leaning toward the light, rotate the pots regularly. Leggy, stretched stems and pale leaves often mean they need more light. Harvesting correctly keeps herbs productive and flavorful. Use clean scissors or pruners and cut just above a pair of leaves to encourage bushy regrowth. A good rule is to never remove more than one-third of the plant at a time, so it has enough foliage left to keep growing. Regular light harvests usually give better results than waiting and taking a big cutting all at once. If you notice leggy basil, pinch back the tops to encourage side shoots. Yellowing leaves on basil can mean too much water or not enough warmth. Woody herbs like rosemary can slow down if soil stays too wet, so let them dry slightly between waterings. Any time you are unsure, bringing a photo or a small sample leaf to our team at Chalet makes it easier for us to help you troubleshoot. Start Your Herb Garden with Confidence Today Herb gardening is an easy, low-pressure way to get started with growing plants, and it rewards you every time you cook. Even a single pot on a windowsill can supply plenty of fresh flavor, and you can always expand once you feel more comfortable. We encourage you to pick one simple starting point, like a trio of basil, parsley, and chives by the kitchen sink or a mixed Mediterranean container near the grill. Come visit us at Chalet and our staff can help you choose high-quality herb plants, the right containers and soil, and a plan that fits your space and cooking style.  With a small plan and a few easy habits, your kitchen can have fresh herbs within arm’s reach all season long. Shop Chalet June: Monthly Gardening To-Do's Read more Roses – Gardening and Care Tips Read more Soil Secrets Every Gardener Should Know — Chalet’s Guide to a Thriving Garden Read more