By John Hosford
July is a busy and rewarding month in the garden, with regular maintenance ensuring that plants continue to perform at their best throughout the summer and into autumn.
Roses
Roses will repay regular attention during this period. Deadheading should be carried out frequently as flowers fade, pruning back to a leaf axil lower down the stem and always cutting to an outward-facing bud to help keep the centre of the bush open. Wild roses should not be deadheaded, as this allows the formation of attractive fruits, or hips, in autumn. Rosa moyesii ‘Geranium’ is especially attractive, producing single flowers in profusion during early summer followed by a beautiful display of hips. This variety requires plenty of space, usually 2 to 2.5 metres apart, to fully display its flowers and fruit. It also has an attractive arching habit.
Additional interest can be created around stronger shrub roses by underplanting with hardy geraniums, snowdrops, Epimedium and hardy outdoor cyclamen. Cyclamen hederifolium flowers freely from early to late autumn, while Cyclamen coum produces attractive pink and white flowers, some with marbled leaves, from late winter well into spring. Both are winter hardy and gardeners should look out for bulbs in garden centres and shops from July onwards.
Following deadheading, roses benefit from a feed formulated specifically for roses. High-nitrogen fertilisers should be avoided as they encourage soft, sappy growth that is more susceptible to pests and diseases. Blackspot, mildew and rust should be controlled by gathering and disposing of infected leaves away from the garden. Such material should not be added to the compost heap as it can spread disease spores. Roses grown in containers require regular feeding with a seaweed-based liquid fertiliser. Any sideshoots should be removed as soon as they are detected and pruned back to their point of origin. During dry, hot weather, roses should be watered regularly, taking care to avoid wetting the foliage and flowers.
Plan for holidays
Many gardeners will be preparing for summer holidays during July. Provision should be made for watering while away, either through an automated system or with the help of a family member, friend or neighbour. Vegetables and cut flowers should be picked regularly before departure, as frequent harvesting encourages continued flowering and fruiting well into autumn. Lawns should be mown before leaving, and water should be collected during wet periods in water butts or genuine wooden casks. Borders can be mulched to conserve moisture, ensuring that the soil is already moist before the mulch is applied. A leaky pipe or seep hose system may also be worth considering. Plants should receive a thorough watering before departure, with particular attention given to recently planted specimens.
Many greenhouse, conservatory and houseplants can be placed outdoors during July and August. Greenhouses require careful watering during warm spells and shading should be applied to prevent scorch. Watering is best carried out early in the morning or during the cool of the evening. Dead leaves and signs of pest damage should be removed before going away. Holidays also provide an opportunity to visit inspiring gardens, with details available through local and national newspapers, gardening magazines, tourist information offices, and gardening and tourism websites.
Pruning
July is also a suitable time for pruning. Lavender can be cut for drying, while early summer flowering shrubs such as Philadelphus and Weigela should be pruned after flowering. Wisteria should be pruned by cutting back the long whippy growths produced during summer to within five or six buds of the main stem.
Dahlias
Dahlias require robust staking and support throughout the season. Gardeners should remain vigilant for slug damage and provide regular liquid feeding to encourage strong growth and abundant flowers. Frequent deadheading will also prolong the display.
Vegetable garden
In the vegetable garden, early potatoes can be harvested. Onions should be lifted when their leaves turn yellow and begin to flop. They should be eased carefully from the soil and left on the surface for several days in warm, dry weather. Like shallots, they can also be placed on a mesh framework where sun and wind can dry them thoroughly before storage. Strong mesh wire or any suitable framework that maximises exposure to sunshine and airflow is ideal. Once fully dried, onions can be stored indoors in a cool, frost-free location, either strung together or arranged in single layers in boxes.
The planting of winter brassicas should be completed this month, with plants watered well after planting. Protective collars placed around the base of each plant help guard against cabbage root fly, while fleece provides effective protection against cabbage white butterflies and their caterpillars. Peas can continue to be sown until the end of July, while beetroot, carrots and turnips may be sown until late in the month. Autumn and winter salads should also be sown now. Spring cabbage can be sown from late July to mid-August and is particularly valuable because it provides fresh produce during a traditionally scarce period of the year. Sowing at intervals of seven to ten days helps ensure a succession of crops.
Gardeners should also take precautions against potato blight. Warnings are provided through Met Éireann weather bulletins and on their website.
Fruit garden
In the fruit garden, summer-fruiting raspberries should ripen during July and any surplus fruit can be frozen successfully. Red and white currants should be summer pruned. Fruit trees carrying heavy crops may require additional support, while ripening peaches and nectarines should be protected from birds and wasps. Well-secured horticultural fleece or mesh provides effective protection.
Lawns
Lawns will continue to require mowing once or twice each week. During very dry weather, mower blades should be raised and mowing carried out less frequently. Watering should only be undertaken when absolutely necessary. A good liquid feed can help maintain vigour, while lawns established in spring should continue to receive water. July is also a good time to prepare for sowing new lawns in September by removing perennial weeds such as docks, nettles, thistles and ground elder. Areas can be roughly levelled now, with final levelling carried out in September.
Fuchsias
Fuchsias provide colour from June until November and the hardy varieties can remain outdoors throughout winter. They respond well to hard pruning in February. Vine weevil can be troublesome but may be controlled through biological methods. Weekly feeding produces the best results, while rust and downy mildew should be monitored carefully as they can cause premature leaf drop. Gardeners should inspect both the upper and lower surfaces of leaves for signs of infection. Fuchsias are also an excellent choice for summer and autumn containers.
With regular care and timely attention, July offers abundant rewards across every part of the garden, from roses and ornamental borders to productive vegetable plots, fruit gardens and lawns.
