Gardener’s To-Do List for July

July To-Do List for Zone 9

• If foliage of midsummer-blooming roses begins to yellow, check soil pH—add sulfur if it tests much above 7.
• Keep roses well watered to promote bloom into late fall.
• Early in the month, cover fruit trees with nets to protect fruit from birds.
• Spread compost on areas where you plan to grow fall veggies and flowers.
• For fall harvest, plant lettuce, carrots, beets, turnips, early beans, brassicas, and summer squash.
• Protect peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, and lettuce from sun scald by providing partial shade.
• Remember that you can still sow fast-blooming portulaca and sunflowers.
• Prune back chrysanthemums for bushier plants in fall.