So many good things have happened in the home landscape this year so far. The earlier cooler and drier weather let our perennials and shrubs put on the growth that has not happened in our hot, dry springs. Along with that has been a bloom show that has been way better than average. There has been a lot to enjoy when out on the patio or deck and even when working the beds, getting to see the detail of fresh foliage, flower buds and bloom
Keeping up
Now is not the time to let down our guard, so to speak, when it comes to keeping the beds looking good for the rest of the growing season. Between the rains we have had and the needed watering, weeds seeds have sprouted and should be dealt with while very young and easily controlled – annual and perennial weeds alike. Merely disturbing those seedlings with your favorite weeder is enough without actually having to remove them from the beds. Loosening the garden bed soil will benefit the plants the next time you water or we have a rain. More water makes it into the soil profile.
Keeping the lawn and beds separated will have that bed line looking good. Our lawn grasses can creep about 3 to 4 inches a year, so that spring edging by now has been challenged. Opening up the bed again will make mowing easier, too. If the bed lines have really been lost, think of how you mow and create or modify the process to make those curved lines and the mower work together so there is less hand trimming. You should follow through with the same thought for the trees in the yard. More damage by string trimmers occurs than the from the typical feeding of rabbits, voles and field mice every year. Grass right up to the trunk also affords easy access all winter long for our furry little friends.
The other half of the season
As we hit the end of July and head into August, there are some things we can do to ensure our beds continue to look good. About now, petunias can look stringy with open centers. Cutting them back will get us new growth again and more flowers. Perennials that flowered and set seed can be dead headed to direct that energy back into the plant for next year.
In the vegetable garden, side dressing the pepper plants can get them to push out some new growth and that is followed by flowers for season-long pepper production.
Lawns
Always an ongoing topic, this time there is one good point share. The mower blade is no longer sharp, and mowing is going to continue until cold weather. If by chance you own two blades, it is time to swap them out. No second blade? Then after the next mowing, do not quit until that blade is in hand so you can drop it off first thing for sharpening, so you are ready to go in a week.
Want more gardening advice? Master Gardener Help Desks are now open for questions via email, phone or visit. In Kendall County, volunteers are available 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 630-553-5823. For information, visit go.illinois.edu/HelpDeskMGdkk.
• Richard Hentschel is a Horticulture Extension educator with University of Illinois Extension, serving DuPage, Kane and Kendall counties. This column originates on his blog at go.illinois.edu/overthegardenfence. To get tips from Hentschel, watch his “This Week in the Garden” videos on Facebook and YouTube.