Beat the Heat with These Plants

Summer may be well underway, but there is still time to plant new flowers and garden crops. Even with the higher temperatures, July is a good time to freshen up your yard with new growth.

Plant more blooms this month such as Begonias, Periwinkles, Zinnias, Purslane, and Moss Rose that will bloom straight through the hot summer months and into the fall. Ferns can also be planted this month as long as you pay extra attention to watering. Choose a hardy fern like the Autumn fern that is easy-to-grow and stays green until fall when the fronds turn a lovely gold color. This is a great plant for dry shade.

If you are planning a fall vegetable garden, now is a good time to decide what you might want to plant there. It will take some work to get them through the heat, but they will pay off in the fall garden. Plant tomatoes in July, peppers (July-August), eggplant (mid July to early August), peas (July-early August), and watermelon (July-Early August).

Make the most of your July with new plantings and bring even more brightness and enjoyment to your landscape this fall!