Posted on 07/01/2025 5:32:22 AM PDT by Diana in Wisconsin
The MONTHLY Gardening Thread is a gathering of folks that love soil, seeds and plants of all kinds. From complete newbies that are looking to start that first potted plant, to gardeners with some acreage, to Master Gardener level and beyond, we would love to hear from you.
If you have specific question about a plant/problem you are having, please remember to state the Growing Zone where you are located.
This thread is a non-political respite. No matter what, you won’t be flamed, and the only dumb question is the one that isn’t asked.
It is impossible to hijack the Gardening Thread. Planting, Harvest to Table Recipes, Preserving, Good Living - there is no telling where it will go - and that is part of the fun and interest. Jump in and join us! Send a Private Message to Diana in Wisconsin if you'd like to be added to/removed from our New & Improved Ping List.
NOTE: This is a once a MONTH Ping List, but we DO post to the thread all throughout the month. Links to related articles and discussions which might be of interest to Gardeners are welcomed any time.
Oh wow - it IS July 1! Thanks for the thread :-)
July Gardening Tips and To-Do List by Planting Zones and Region
https://morningchores.com/july-gardening-tips/
Not trying to tell ya what to do, but this is what you should be working on in your garden in July. Lists are by Growing Zone/Region. Very handy!
For me, Zone 5:
1. Succession Plant
If you live in planting zone five, you should succession plant both dill and cilantro. This will give you a constant harvest instead of having one large crop.
Also, it is a good idea because it helps to keep the gardener from feeling overwhelmed. Plus, it helps you to be able to use what you plant and not have to worry about anything going to waste.
2. Plant Peas
Peas are an excellent crop for the fall. In zone five you can go ahead and plant peas to enjoy for a fall harvest. They’re not difficult to grow and taste amazing.
3. Harvest
Your garden should be booming this month. It’s important to harvest it regularly to keep your garden producing.
Keep in mind; it’s best to harvest your garden in the morning hours while it’s still cool outside. This is certainly a safer option for the gardener and helps to avoid some of the extreme temperatures July can bring.
Good morning from TN! I have a cutting from a Peace Rose bush that belonged to my mom who passed in February. I’m trying desperately to get it to root. I have dipped it in root hormone and put it in a pot with dirt. I’ve watered it but not too much. It doesn’t look good. I’ve tried 4 other cuttings from a few other of her rose bushes but none have survived. I want so badly to have a small piece of something my mom loved and cared for. Any suggestions?
Have any good suggestions for ways to keep white-tailed deer out of my garden? They seem to think the commercial deer repellent I bought from my local garden center is just a zesty salad dressing.
I’m also starting lettuce, beans, zucchini with a short maturity date (hoping to avoid the squash vine borers), more dill, and Brussel Sprouts.
Brussel sprouts have a maturity date of 90 days which is fine for them.
This year, I am also trying some extremely cold hardy lettuce that’s supposed to tolerate to 10F! When I get home, I’ll be able to tell the varieties. I don’t remember their names off hand. I got three of them.
In the Florida summertime, I mainly just try to keep the grass of my yard cut (and this year a neighbor’s grass too).
My oleanders have been viciously attacked by caterpillars.
I have some bromeliads that are blooming. The crepe myrtles are in full bloom.
I got back three weeks ago from San Diego and Tijuana. The geraniums there can grow into four-foot-tall plants that live for many years.
Have male members of the household pee around the perimeter.
Also, deer don’t like strong fragrances. I have interplanted a lot of herbs in my garden. They’re ones I use regularly so I get the benefit of pest and critter deterrent with being able to harvest and dry my own herbs, and therefore, know what’s in them, like all the food I process and store myself.
Thanks for the new thread! :-)
Discovered yesterday afternoon that I have cukes. Planted the seeds as an experiment, just to see if they would “take”. They did.
The cure for the borers is B.T. (Bacillus Thuringiensis) that is widely available
Fairly early on, punch a small hole in the hollow squash stem near the ground exit. The BT liquid injected within the hollow stem prevents the borers from entering. That is my job involvement with my wife’s gardening efforts
It works amazingly well
“white-tailed deer out of my garden”
Just the first thought in my head, but maybe some mustard greens might help. Mustard greens grow readily in Florida and if cooked are quite edible.
If you have a fenced yard, some dogs might be borrowed from a neighbor going on vacation.
There is motion activated sprinkler head that is being sold.
Earlier this year the college-age son of my Polish neighbors had good luck growing tomatoes and cucumbers under netting.
Peppers grow well in the summertime here in Florida.
Oleanders will root in water.
Bought plants have become very expensive.
One of my dwarf poinciana trees is in bloom. It has orange flowers.
I had some incredible luck with growing seeds this year. I use the little clear party cups that allow you to closely monitor moisture level. I had one packet of pepper seeds that all of them germinated. I never had that luck with peat pots ever. I had some Kelp sheets that I buy from Krogers to eat. Turns out Kelp is a hormone. I have been soaking some in water and using the water for starting the seeds. Maybe soak some in water and try that...
Rose - I would bring the cutting inside in a pot with dirt. Sunny window but not too much or too much heat. Water lightly daily. Cut a new slice off the bottom if you need to.
I’ve heard that. I need some syringes though and some fresh BT.
Some advice I heard is to simply plant a short growing variety after the time that the borers are done with their breeding.
One thing I did find effective in keeping plants alive, especially with vining ones, is to regularly bury the stem at intervals. They’ll root and keep the rest of the plant alive while the infested section dies off.
With shade during then most blistering hot time of the year, many plants will make it that otherwise won’t.
There’s a you tube guy, The Millennial Gardener, who lives in NC on the coast and deals with heat and vermin and has had good success with shade cloth. He’s got good advice on growing tomatoes and peppers and how to deal with the heat with them.
The other one I like a lot is MIGardener. He lives in the same climate zone as us.
Epic Gardening is good to but he’s in So CA.
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