Blooms and Weeds
When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant. ~Author Unknown
With all the rain we have been receiving, coupled with the unseasonably cool weather, watering is one task the gardeners have been given a pass, so far. Aside from those gardeners who plant from seed (excessive rain has ruined much of their hopes) not much dies when planted in the temperate rainy season our gardens have been enjoying.
Blooms
July is always glorious month for taking it easy in the garden, after the rush of all the spring activities has come to a close. As you admire your efforts, do a little deadheading and weeding to keep it tidy. A few minutes here and there will make a difference and deadheading can encourage more blooms.
Removing dead flowers before or after they go to seed prevents plants from wasting their energy on seed production. Many flowers bloom for an extended period only if they are deadheaded regularly. I can keep my butterfly bushes blooming until frost if I deadhead all the spent blooms. This extends the flowering season from 3-4 weeks to 3-4 months! And it keeps the butterflies happy as well. Of course getting blooms in late September and October with the more feeble northern sun does require that the bushes still receive sun, a challenge for many gardens when the low sun may dip behind the trees in the afternoon. Site your butterfly bushes accordingly.
Other flowers, such as Cone flower (Echinacea), Bee balm (Monarda), Joe Pye weed (Eupatorium malculatum), black-eyed susans (Rudbeckia), and showy sedum (Autumn Joy is the most popular), I let the flowers go to seed for three reasons; they will not continue to flower if deadheaded, the flower seeds are valuable to native birds, and finally and most aesthetically, the dried flower heads last through the winter to provide interest in the snowy days of January and February.
Weeds!
Although the blooms on full sun perennials may be a little lackluster so far, part sun and shade gardens thrive, as do the weeds of course. One handy thing about a good soaking rain is that weeds pull out easier. Of course one person's weed may be another person's wildflower.
By mid-summer, weeds may be knee or even waist high. Weeds have a few things in common. They grow rapidly, flower quickly and produce vast quantities of seeds. One good weed can produce tens of thousands of seeds. Weeds compete with our garden plants for light, nutrients and water. Therefore, whatever you do, do not let weeds go to seed. Remove or mow off the tops before seed is produced. "One year of seeding equals seven years of weeding".
Hoe, till or hand pull – These methods only control existing weeds, therefore they must be continued throughout the season. Hoe and till shallowly so as not to damage the roots of desirable plants and bring more weeds seeds to the surface. Perennial weeds will require frequent re-cutting until the food reserves are depleted.
Mulch - Mulching controls weeds by preventing light from reaching the weed seeds or seedlings. This method is best for controlling annual weeds. Mulching also conserves moisture, prevents soil crusting, reduces erosion and keeps above ground food crops clean. Organic mulches include wood chips, straw, dry grass clippings and even newspapers.
Plant something... anything, ground covers, grass etc. - Bare areas will invite weeds. Scalp the lawn and weeds will germinate before the lawn mower sees the garage.
Attention: Mosquitoes are thriving in bird baths, gutters, empty pots and plant trays, discarded car tires and other places where rain water collects. Dispose of the water and you will have less of these pests around. Mosquito larvae need 5 days to emerge from the water and be ready to set upon you as an adult mosquito.
