The Dallas County Master Gardener Association, Inc. (DCMGA), a division of Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, has released its Garden Task List for July.  

In addition to watering advice (pay attention to the water needs of lawns, ornamental plants and vegetables, being attentive particularly to new plants with undeveloped root systems and to outdoor potted plants, which can dry out quickly) the DCMGA’s list of tasks includes:     

  • Prune out any dead or broken branches of woody ornamentals (trees and shrubs) but avoid major pruning during the heat of summer.  
  • Cut back spent flowers of annuals and perennials to encourage new blooms.  
  • Mow turf grasses every 5 to 7 days, maintain Bermuda at 1 to 1 ½ inches and St. Augustine at 2 ½ inches full sun and 3 to 3 ½ inches semi-shade.  
  • Check lawn for grub worms by digging in several places. Grub treatments, if needed, are recommended if you find more than four grubs per square foot.  
  • Harvest vegetables as they ripen.  
  • To reduce mosquito pests, check house gutters and any containers for standing water. For mosquito larva control, use Bti (Bacillus thuringiensis, israelensis) as a larvicide.  

Visit Dallas County Master Gardeners for July Gardening Tips