ROLLING HILLS GARDEN CENTER
VILLAGE GALLERY FLORIST AND GIFT SHOPPE

“July is a blind date with summer.”

― Hal Borland, Sundial of the Seasons

There comes a time when people get tired of being pushed out of the glittering sunlight of life's July and left standing amid the piercing chill of an alpine November.

Martin Luther King, Jr.

I have lived pain, and my life can tell: I only deepen the wound of the world when I neglect to give thanks the heavy perfume of wild roses in early July and the song of crickets on summer humid nights and the rivers that run and the stars that rise and the rain that falls and all the good things that a good God gives.

Ann Voskamp

Patriotism inspires us. It unites us. It fills our hearts with pride and optimism. And sometimes it brings us to tears. Simple but poignant acts of American patriotism occur every day. They rarely attract headlines but these are the actions that strengthen this great nation – and teach us the true meaning of patriotism.

It is not just displaying a flag, saying a pledge of allegiance, or proclaiming how much we love the USA, but it is a river running deep in the hearts of all Americans who take the time to care for and respect their fellow Americans.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.--That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed, --That whenever any Form of Government becomes destructive of these ends, it is the Right of the People to alter or to abolish it, and to institute new Government, laying its foundation on such principles and organizing its powers in such form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their Safety and Happiness. "

JULY GARDENING TIPS

July may seem to many to be a slow gardening month, but there are important things to remember to do this month to keep a productive harvest and have beautiful flowerbeds even during the hottest summer days.

The July heat plus less rain can cause stress on all plants. Be sure to water either early in the morning or late in the afternoon to minimize water loss. Be sure to water any recently planted shrubs or trees to ensure their roots do not dry out. A dribbling hose around the trees for an hour is adequate.
All containers including hanging baskets should be monitored more closely for water needs in the July heat. Smaller baskets and containers may need to be watered twice a day, especially on windy days.
Be sure to keep weeding flower beds in July as the weeds will compete with the flowers for nutrients and moisture.
Deadheading both perennials and annuals will encourage more profuse blooming and help to encourage repeat blooming

July is a good month to prune trees to eliminate damaged branches that could be dangerous in thunderstorms or to help trees keep desired heights and shapes.

Late harvest vegetables and blooming plants can be started in July. Collards, lettuce, cabbage, beets, broccoli, radishes, turnips, zinnias, and pansies can be planted in July. It is best to start these from seeds in this month.

Some containers may need replenishing. Those spring blooming and cooler weather annuals and perennials may be looking faded and a bit long in the tooth. Replace them with more hot loving plants such as lantana, penta, coneflower, and coreopsis. Heat loving annuals such as petunias and calibrachoa can be trimmed back to encourage new growth and flowering.

Tour your garden to see what is working and what is not. July is a great time to plan your next summer's garden. Be sure you write down names and varieties of the plants you like. Don't depend on your local nursery to remember those flowers you had that were just perfect. Better yet keep a photo journal.

Roses and other ornamentals may need trimming to remove dead branches and spraying to control insects and other diseases that the hot humid summers can bring about.

Vegetable gardens have their set of needs. Unfortunately there is a little more to do than just plant and pick. Uneven watering in tomatoes and peppers can cause blossom-end rot, and this can also be caused by a lack of certain nutrients. Dig potatoes when their tops die, and plant fall potatoes by July 15. Harvest your sweet corn when the silks turn brown, and onions and garlic when their tops turn brown. Keep cucumbers well-watered as dry weather will cause them to taste bitter.