Is Your Garden Feeling the Mid-Summer Slump?
You’re not alone. July can be an awkward time in the garden—some plants are going strong, others are giving up, and it’s easy to feel like the season is starting to wind down. But there’s still plenty you can do to keep your garden thriving through the heat and into the fall. From harvesting and watering to prepping for the next season, a little mid-July maintenance can go a long way.
Here’s your July Garden To-Do List to help you stay on track without feeling overwhelmed.
Mid-July Garden Tasks
✅ 1. Keep Up with Harvesting
Don’t let fruits and vegetables go too long on the plant. Overripe produce can attract pests and
slow down further production. Check daily for cucumbers, zucchini, beans, tomatoes, and okra. Pick at the right size and the flavor and texture are much better.
✅ 2. Water Wisely
Early morning is the best time to water—before the sun gets too intense. Deep, infrequent
watering is better than shallow daily sprinkles. Add mulch around plants to help retain moisture
and cut down on weeds.
✅ 3. Watch for Pests
Mid-summer pests like squash bugs, tomato hornworms, aphids, and flea beetles may show up
now. Check the undersides of leaves, look for chewed foliage, and encourage beneficial insects.
If you see something suspicious, snap a picture and look it up—or comment here!
✅ 4. Start Fall Crops from Seed
Now’s the time to sow broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts indoors for
transplanting in a few weeks.
✅ 5. Deadhead Flowers & Remove Spent Plants
Keep your garden looking tidy and blooming longer by removing faded flowers and pulling up
spent or diseased plants. This also helps cut down on pests and gives you space for fall
planting.
✅ 6. Feed Hungry Plants If your tomatoes, peppers, or other fruiting plants are looking a little tired, give them a boost with
a balanced organic fertilizer (wait until temperatures are 85 degrees or less for a few days), or compost tea.
July is also a great time to reflect on how things are really going in your garden. What’s working? What’s not? What would you like to do differently next season? I know I will NEVER plant cucamelons again. They taste terrible, they have taken over my garden arch, and attached their tendrils to everything. I have already started pulling them out. I found them at the garden center and wanted to give them a try. Bad idea.
I’ve created a simple Mid-Season Garden Check-In handout to help you pause, celebrate your wins, jot down any challenges, and note what you want to change or try next time. Download your copy here, grab a pen, and head out to the garden.
It’s not too late to start thinking about your fall garden and I would love to help you plan it!
My Fall Garden Plan (Built for You) is a personalized planning service that takes the guesswork out of fall gardening.
We’ll meet on Zoom to talk through your space, goals, and growing zone. Then I’ll create a custom plan just for you, including:
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What to plant and when (based on your frost date)
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A planting plan based on your vegetable preferences
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Seed vs. transplant guidance
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A printable planting calendar + veggie cheat sheet
- A follow up zoom call to go over your plan.
- Email follow up throughout the season
Only 10 consults available so I can give each garden the time it deserves. Book yours now!” $99
Book here: GrowingwithGardenchick