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Add These Plants to Your Garden in July
Spring may be the season most associated with gardening, but July is not too late to get started in the garden. You can plant seeds for fall harvests or install plants that love the long, warm days of summer. The U.S. Department of Agriculture defines the Augusta area as Hardiness Zone 5A, meaning any plans you have for tropical plants should involve at least some time indoors. But for gardeners who enjoy growing vegetables, this is your garden's chance to show what it's capable of. If you're new to growing food crops, consider what you'll need for late-season success.
The Lay of the Land
The long, warm days of summer work beautifully for many plants, but some plants can't tolerate a full day of sun. Identify the spots where you intend to plant and get a rough measure of the timing and duration that said spot receives sunlight. Use this to select seeds and plants according to the sun exposure requirements listed on the package. If the majority of this time is in the afternoon, you'll need to watch for signs of scorching.
Soil drainage is also crucial to healthy plants. The warmer soil in summer will cause water to evaporate more quickly, so it's important to know just how much water the soil will retain. This HGTV guide to testing soil qualities, including drainage, will help you determine what varieties will do best in your soil or what soil amendments you might add.
Take a Leaf-- From Your Garden
Leafy greens and some members of the Brassica family will do well when planted in July. Swiss chard is a tender cousin of the beet family that likes well-drained soil and moderate temperatures. Spinach is a milder tasting green for some contrast in your leafy green selection for late summer and fall harvesting. If you have an area with some shade, lettuce can be started this late in zone 5.
While they look quite different, cabbage, kale, and kohlrabi are all members of the Brassica family and can be planted in zone 5. Kohlrabi especially benefits from a second planting in late summer. Kale is relatively easy to grow for the beginning gardener, but as it's usually planted earlier in the season, keep an eye out for scorching.
Start Small if Necessary
If you're new to gardening and would like to start small, the hot days of summer are the perfect time for a young basil plant to thrive. Call Augusta-area nurseries for basil starts that you can nurture outdoors in the summer and bring inside as the nights draw in.
We're Rooting For You
For root vegetables, summer is the time to prepare for a fall debut. Beets, carrots, and radishes can all be planted in July. Your growing times may differ slightly from your neighbors who plant them later in the season but don't leave your vegetables in the garden for too long, or they'll lose the tenderness and flavor that home-grown vegetables are famous for.
If you'd like to discuss your green thumb, our real estate agents love discussing what gardens do for Augusta homes for sale. Contact us today.