July In the Garden
Welcome to July! This month in the garden is one of the peak months for growth—vibrant flowers, early produce, and all around proliferation.
Growing up, I always thought of July as one of the best months for a number of reasons. School is out, the sun is shining, and it’s a time to explore the world. From the start of summer, the possibilities ahead felt large.
This past June across the prairies, however, we’ve seen one of the rainiest months on record. And not only high volumes of rain, but a number of wild storms and even tornadoes. Here’s hoping for a sunny July to really help our plants take off!
Speaking of rain, this month we’re going to dig into some of the benefits—and drawbacks—of such a rainy season here in Saskatchewan.
First, though, to touch on the basics for this time of year.
If you’ve been succession planting, it might be time to plant fast-growing crops like lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, and radishes in order for a late summer or early fall harvest. Keep an eye on your garlic and onions, which may be ready by the end of the month.
Because we have such a short growing season, if your tomatoes and peppers haven’t yet pollinated, give them a hand. Gently shake the flowering branches, or use a cotton swab on the blossoms to assist them with pollination. When your tomatoes do start producing fruit, you can encourage the plant to focus its energy by trimming some of the non-flowering, or male, stems.
And always keep maintenance in mind. Deadhead those annuals—see last month’s In the Garden for a detailed guide! Prune back your flowering shrubs like lilacs at the start of July to encourage their growth next season. Trim your flowering perennials or overgrown shrubs for the remainder of the growth season, and take off any spent or rangy berry canes.
Pull any weeds threatening to take over, especially before they can go to seed. And a fresh layer of mulch can protect the soil and roots from the heat we will hopefully see in July and August.
Although rainwater is the ideal standard for plants to grow—it lacks chemicals, is naturally soft, and provides a vital boost of nitrogen—it’s best to collect in a rain barrel, and not your soil. In great abundance, like we’ve seen in June, it can erode away topsoil and waterlog a garden.
When soil becomes saturated, roots are deprived of oxygen. This can lead easily to root rot—a common killer of plants. Avoid walking on wet garden beds, which can compact the clay in soil and further damage roots. If this is a recurring problem, consider raised garden beds or mounded rows for better drainage.
Cover your soil with mulch to ensure consistent moisture, but keep it from sitting right up against plant stalks. You might also consider poking aeration holes to allow for greater oxygen to reach the roots. Loosen up the soil and mix in compost or other amendments such as perlite which will allow for more drainage and less saturation.
Large amounts of rain can also wash away nutrients or fertilizer that may be in the soil. Once the rainy days come to an end, be sure to give your vegetables a fresh dose of balanced fertilizer.
Prolonged moisture can create the perfect environment for fungal diseases like powdery mildew, blight, and leaf spot. Prune off lower branches to allow for more space around the base of your plants. This will allow for more air to circulate and keep the foliage dry. Also, remove any damaged or yellowing branches which can create disease and divert the plant’s limited energy.
After a heavy rain—or several consecutive days of it—it can take anywhere from a day to a week to dry out. Clay-dense soil can take longer than sandy soil, while humid air will keep the soil moist.
If you don’t have a rain barrel or other catchment system, consider installing one. If a low point in your yard has a tendency to collect water, you might create a rain garden with hardy, native plants that can tolerate flood-like conditions. But be sure to look into your specific conditions regarding drainage, runoff, and overflow.
Ideally, we’ll see lots of sun in July to benefit from all of this rain.
To maximize returns from a sunny season to (hopefully) follow:
● Place light coloured rocks or light mulch near the base of plants to reflect light onto lower leaves
● Grow vining plants like peas or cucumbers up poles or trellises so greater foliage can receive sunlight and airflow
● Trim back unnecessary overhanging branches
All said, there are ways to deal with an excess of rain—but a new garden may be vulnerable to issues we wouldn’t otherwise have to deal with. Provide your plants with a little extra care during this season, and if all goes well, you’ll see abundant returns later on.
In the weeks to follow, whether we see rain or sun, consistency and care are key. Keep your plants watered, weeded, and trimmed to maximize the output you’ll see come September.
With your garden settled in for the season, now is a great time to swing by Floral Acres. We have great sales every week, and maybe your yard still needs a few perennials or the right shrub for your space. As of July 1st, 2026, our hours of operation return to 10am-6pm, seven days a week. We hope to see you soon!
Until next time!