July Landscaping Tips: What Every Homeowner Should Do This Month

July Landscaping Guide: Keep Your Landscape Healthy, Colorful, and Thriving This Summer

Summer is in full swing, and July is one of the most important months for maintaining a beautiful landscape. The combination of intense sun, rising temperatures, and occasional heavy storms can quickly take a toll on lawns, shrubs, and flower beds if they aren't properly cared for.

Whether you've recently installed a new landscape or simply want to keep your property looking its best, following these July landscaping tips will help protect your investment while keeping your curb appeal at its peak.

1. Water Smarter, Not More

One of the biggest mistakes homeowners make during July is watering too frequently. Instead, water deeply two to three times per week to encourage deeper root growth.

Best watering practices:

• Water early in the morning (5:00–9:00 AM).

• Apply approximately 1 inch of water per week, including rainfall.

• Avoid watering during the hottest part of the day.

• Water newly planted shrubs and perennials more often than established plants.

Deep watering promotes healthier roots and helps plants withstand periods of extreme heat.

2. Refresh Your Mulch

Mulch does much more than improve appearance—it also helps regulate soil temperature and retain moisture during hot weather.

If your mulch has faded or decomposed, July is a great time to refresh it.

Benefits include:

• Conserves soil moisture

• Reduces weed growth

• Keeps roots cooler

• Improves overall curb appeal

A 2–3-inch layer is ideal for most landscape beds.

3. Stay Ahead of Weeds

Warm weather means weeds grow quickly.

Removing weeds before they flower and produce seeds will save countless hours later in the season.

Pay special attention to:

• Landscape beds

• Walkway joints

• Patio edges

• Around trees and shrubs

Consistent maintenance keeps your landscape looking clean and prevents weeds from competing with your plants for water and nutrients.

4. Deadhead Summer Flowers

Many flowering perennials and annuals will continue blooming much longer when spent flowers are removed.

Deadheading encourages plants to direct their energy into producing new blooms rather than seeds.

Great candidates include:

• Coneflowers

• Salvia

• Coreopsis

• Daylilies

• Petunias

• Geraniums

Regular deadheading keeps your landscape colorful throughout the remainder of summer.

5. Inspect Shrubs for Summer Stress

July heat can cause shrubs to show signs of stress.

Look for:

• Brown leaf edges

• Wilting

• Yellow leaves

• Branch dieback

• Insect damage

Catching problems early often prevents costly replacements later.

Avoid heavy pruning during periods of extreme heat, as it can place additional stress on plants.

6. Watch for Common Summer Pests

Warm temperatures create ideal conditions for insects and diseases.

Check your landscape regularly for:

• Japanese beetles

• Aphids

• Spider mites

• Powdery mildew

• Leaf spot diseases

Early treatment is usually much easier than correcting severe infestations.

7. Give Your Lawn a Break

Your lawn naturally slows its growth during July.

Instead of cutting it very short:

• Keep mowing height between 3½–4 inches.

• Never remove more than one-third of the blade at one time.

• Keep mower blades sharp.

• Leave grass clippings, when possible, to recycle nutrients.

A taller lawn shades the soil and helps conserve moisture during hot weather.

8. Plant Heat-Tolerant Summer Color

If you're looking to brighten your landscape, July is still a great time to add heat-loving annuals and hardy perennials.

Some excellent choices include:

• Lantana

• Angelonia

• Zinnias

• Veronica

• Black-eyed Susan

• Sedum

• Russian Sage

• Coneflower

These plants provide long-lasting color and perform well through the hottest part of summer.

9. Inspect Drainage After Summer Storms

Heavy summer rain can reveal drainage problems that aren't noticeable during dry weather.

Watch for:

• Standing water

• Soil erosion

• Mulch washing away

• Water near your home's foundation

Addressing drainage issues early helps protect both your landscape and your home from long-term damage.

10. Start Planning Fall Landscape Projects

Believe it or not, July is the perfect time to begin planning projects for late summer and fall.

Popular projects include:

• Landscape renovations

• New planting beds

• Paver patios

• Walkways

• Retaining walls

• Privacy plantings

• Drainage improvements

  
  

Planning now allows enough time for design, material selection, and scheduling before the busy fall season.

Let Brass Lawn Care Help You This Summer

Whether your landscape needs a seasonal refresh, a complete redesign, drainage improvements, or a new outdoor living space, Brass Lawn Care is here to help. Our team designs and installs landscapes that stay beautiful throughout every season while increasing the value and enjoyment of your home.

Contact us today to schedule your consultation and discover how we can transform your outdoor space.

Frequently Asked Questions?

Should I fertilize my lawn in July?

Most cool-season lawns benefit from waiting until late summer or early fall for heavy fertilization. If needed, use a light application and avoid fertilizing during periods of extreme heat.

Is July a good time to plant shrubs?

Yes, as long as they receive consistent watering. Container-grown shrubs can be planted throughout summer with proper care.

How often should I water new landscape plants?

Most newly installed plants should receive deep watering two to three times per week, adjusting based on rainfall and temperature.

Is it too late to start a landscaping project?

Not at all. July is an excellent time to begin planning and scheduling projects for late summer and fall installation.