Pacific Northwest

July, 2011
Regional Report

Keep After Those Weeds!

Our cool, wet springs encourage lots of weeds. Make sure they don't get the upper hand by pulling, hoeing, spraying, or otherwise eliminating them before they set flowers. Once they flower, it seems like a matter of minutes before they're producing seeds and spreading all over the garden

Choose Long-blooming Perennials

If you choose perennials that bloom at different times and plant them in various parts of the garden, you have a good chance of having something in bloom all season long. Sow perennial seeds directly into the garden during the months of June, July, and August.

Continue to Deadhead

For the most flowers and a tidy garden, deadhead regularly -- daily, if necessary. I spend a few minutes each morning removing spent flowers and I pay close attention to my roses, removing faded flowers to encourage lots more blooms.

Feed Summer Veggies

Use a liquid fish emulsion to feed your summer vegetables. I use a watering can, as the product tends to plug up hose-end sprayers. Organic fertilizers such as fish emulsion won't burn foliage so it's safe to feed plants by sprinkling the mixture over the tops of the plants.

Use Biological Controls for Mosquitoes

If you have a water feature or pond, use a mosquito dunk to control mosquito larvae. I use Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis. It's a natural biological material, is very effective, and will not harm fish, birds, or other wildlife.

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