Planting

Trees & Shrubs:

If planting trees & shrubs in July be prepared to water deeply and
consistently! Some heat-tolerant options for July include:

• Crape Myrtle – still in bloom; thrives in full sun and heat.
• Rose of Sharon – continues blooming; just watch for reseeding.
• Vitex (Chaste Tree) – drought-tolerant, still blooming through July.
• Knock Out Roses – prune lightly after blooms fade; keep watered.
• Ornamental Grasses – this is a great time to add movement and texture.

Avoid planting young trees unless you can provide consistent watering for several weeks. If you have a summer vacation planned make plans to have someone watering consistently while you are gone, or wait and plant when you will be in town for several weeks.

When planting in new beds we recommend mixing existing dirt with Callaway's Bed Builder to prep soil for new plants. Ferti-lome Root Stimulator is also a good idea for new shrubs when watering for the first time after planting, and each week up to 5 weeks.

• Avoid Fertilizing shrubs and trees in July. Fertilizing in peak heat can stress the plants and you don't want to promote new growth during prolonged heat.
• Prune: Avoid pruning in summer. It can stress the plant with the summer heat and cause loss of foliage. Only prune dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
• Mulch & Straw: As we start to enter the hottest months of the year, make sure you mulch/pine straw around the base of plants to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Perennials:

July is a good time to plant heat-loving perennials, including:

• Sun: Coneflowers, Coreopsis, Salvia, Guara, Plumbago
• Shade: Hostas, Autumn Ferns, Holly Ferns, Southern Wood Ferns, Liriope (Monkey Grass), Heuchera (Coral Bells)

Tip: water deeply and mulch/pine straw well.

Summer Annuals & Tropicals:

• Some annual sun plants for July: Vinca, Zinnias, Portulaca, Celosia, Angelonia,
  SunPatiens, & Sunflowers in full sun.
• Some annual shade plants for July: Coleus, Impatiens, Caladiums Begonia, & Torenia in shade.
• Some Tropicals plants for July: Hibiscus, Madevilla, & Dipladenia.

Vegetables:

• Direct sow for July: Southern Peas (Purple Hull, Black-Eyed), Okra, Pumpkins (for fall), Sweet Potatoes (slips), Corn (early-maturing varieties)
• Transplant in June: Heat-tolerant Eggplant, Peppers, Tomatoes (especially
  cherry and patio varieties), Herbs (Basil, Oregano, Thyme), and Tomatillos
• Start In-doors for Fall: Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts, Collards
• Apply a well-balanced fertilizer at planting. We can help you find the right one for your garden!
• Water veggie beds deeply and mulch well. Use Ferti-lome Tomato & Vegetable Food (7-22-8) or Fish Emulsion to support fruiting over foliage.
• Tip: When selecting fertilizers for tomatoes ensure the middle number on the package is the highest; this will ensure fruiting in your tomatoes and not just a larger plant overall. Example: Ferti-lome Tomato & Vegetable Food is 7-22-8.
• For Blossom End Rot, use Ferti-lome Yield Booster.

Attract Pollinators:

• Plant nectar-rich flowers.
• Plant for butterflies: Zinnias, Lantana, Butterfly Bush (Buddleia) and Milkweed for butterflies.
• Plant for bees: Cosmos, Basil, Black-Eyed Susans
• Plant for hummingbirds and other birds: Bee Balm, Salvia, Pentas, Cuphea
  

Pruning & Propagating

Prune only to:

• Remove dead, damaged, or diseased
  wood
• Lightly shape overgrown summer
  bloomers after they flower (e.g. crape myrtles, butterfly bush/buddleia)

Propagate:

• Coleus, Mint, Basil, and Salvia (softwood cuttings)
• Succulents and houseplants can still be propagated in July.

Bouquets:
Cut garden-fresh flowers liks:

• Zinnias, Cosmos, Coneflowers, Black-Eyed Susans, and Lantana
• Add herbs like rosemary or basil for fragrance
• Use coleus or dusty miller for texture and foliage

Tip: Cut in the early morning, strip lower leaves, and place immediately in water. Change vase water every day to extend freshness.

Repotting:
Repot tropicals, container plants, and houseplants if root-bound:

• Choose early morning or overcast days
• Use fresh potting mix, loosen root ball, and water deeply
• Shade newly repotted plants for 2–3 days

Watch for signs of heat stress before repotting—wait if needed.

Moving Tropical Houseplants Outdoors During Summer

Many tropical houseplants thrive outside in Central MS during July’s hot,
humid weather—but they need the right placement and care.

Light:

• Move plants into bright shade or filtered sunlight, such as under a tree, covered patio, or shade cloth.
• Avoid direct afternoon sun, which can scorch leaves of ferns, peace lilies, philodendrons, calatheas, and snake plants.

Water & Humidity:

• Check soil daily—potted plants dry out faster outdoors. Water when the top 1–2 inches are dry.
• Grouping plants together can help maintain higher humidity. Misting can help too, but avoid soaking leaves at night. You can also place your plant on a tray filled with pebbles and water to promote high humidity.

Feeding:

• Use a balanced liquid fertilizer (like Ferti-lome Fish Emulsion or a general houseplant food) every 2–4 weeks to support growth.

Watch for pests:

• Outdoors, houseplants may attract spider mites, aphids, or mealybugs. Inspect regularly and treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil if needed.

Tip: Acclimate plants slowly when moving them outdoors (start in shade, then increase light gradually). When bringing them back inside later in summer or early fall, reverse the process to avoid shock.

Lawn Maintenance

We do not recommend fertilizing during extreme heat.

Mow regularly, keeping blades high to shade roots. Water deeply, not frequently. Spot treat for weeds, and avoid seeding lawns until fall.

For more details on Lawn maintenance: Lawn Fertilizer Guide

Mulching & Straw

• Mulch trees, shrubs, and garden beds to reduce evaporation and heat stress.
• Keep mulch 2–3 inches deep and away from trunks/stems.
• Replenish mulch as needed after heavy summer rains.

Mulch helps prevent sun-scalded roots and conserves water—your best friend in July!