The hot, dry weather of July in Wisconsin calls for careful tending of all the elements of your landscape. We’ve got some tips to help you avoid dry, brown lawns and drooping flowers during the heat of July!

Flowers

• Water flower beds at least once a week during dry spells.
• Remove old lily blooms.
• Peony bushes may be mulched (if needed) and seedpods removed.
• Fertilize container plantings.
• Divide iris and daylily when done blooming. Cut leaves back to about 8″.
• Deadhead flowers to encourage additional blooming.
• Don’t let weeds go to seed. “A year of seeding equals 7 years weeding.”

Lawn

• Mow and water as necessary. Raise mowing height to 3 ½”-4” during hot, dry times.
• Irrigate lawn adequately to keep it from going dormant.
• Monitor for fungal diseases and treat as necessary.

Trees/Shrubs  

• Water newly planted trees weekly if needed throughout the summer and apply a mulch (3″ or less) to maintain even soil moisture.
• During dry spells, water all trees deeply every 2-3 weeks.
• Prune yews, junipers, and arborvitae by mid-July.
• Scout for insect pests on trees and shrubs, especially aphids, elm leaf beetle and viburnum beetles.