- In bloom this month (and very hardy and deer resistant): Red Hot Poker (shown at left), also known as torch lily. Prefers full sun with well-draining soil. Striking blooms atop are tubular with flowers of red, yellow, orange, coral, cream, or lime green. Clip the spent blooms but let the foliage die back naturally before removing in the Fall.
- Leaf scorch may begin showing up on leaves of aspen, maple, linked, and evergreens. The leaves will look spotted or burned along the leaf margins. This is due to the tree simply not being able to take up enough water for its needs under harsh (unusually hot) summer conditions. Be sure to give your trees enough water, especially in winter, so they are prepared for summer's heat.
- Wait to fertilize cool-season grasses until late summer.
- The best time to weed the garden is a few hours after you've watered it, when the soil releases weeds with their roots (intact) more easily.
- Necrotic ring spot is showing now - a common turf disease in Colorado. It is actually a fungus and will reappear year after year if not treated. You'll see circular or donut shaped patches of dead areas in your law. Avoid overwatering or overfertilizing. More information is at CSU Extension, click here.
- Cucumbers need to have their ripe fruits removed regularly, or they will stop growing new fruit.
- Herbs need regular pinching above a set of leaves to encourage bushy growth. Harvest basil leaves to allow one or two sets of leaves to remain on an individual stalk. The best flavor is in the newest growth, so harvest often.
- By mid-July you can start sowing fall-season crops such as lettuce, beets, Swiss chard, and spinach.