July Landscape & Garden Tips

Welcome to July! A month of pool parties, sunbathing, and barbeques! When the days are longer and the temperatures start to rise, it is important to be keen on the necessary care needed to keep your yard looking awesome throughout the summer months. Our nursery pros have put together the definitive list of summer yard care tips to help you keep your landscape green and cool this July! 

YOUR SUMMER YARD CARE TO-DO LIST  

• Watering: 
  You want to water your landscape early in the morning, between 4 a.m. and 8 a.m., as this reduces the evaporation loss. Make sure to use deep watering methods which consist of a slow application of water over longer periods of time. 
  
  This allows the entire root zone of your trees and plants to become saturated. The amount of water you apply depends on the tree or shrub you are watering. With trees, you will want to wet the soil at least 3 feet deep and with shrubs at least 1 foot deep. Use a soil probe to determine the depth of water penetration. 
  
  For more in-depth information on summer watering and for answers to common questions, such as "how much water do I use" and "how often do I water", check out our guide on Best Watering Practices. 
   
• Nutrients:
  The summer sun can be relentless, and the trees and plants in your landscape may need a boost during times of heat-related stress. You can give the material on your landscape a helping hand with our highly developed specialized blends of nutrients designed to trigger growth responses and supplement the essential micro and macronutrients that plants need to thrive in our region.
  
  We have supplements and nutrients that help trees, palms, and shrubs recover from any heat stress. These can be purchased at all Moon Valley Nursery locations or online

• Protecting Tree Trunks:
  Similar to how spending too much unprotected time in the sun can burn our skin, your trees’ trunks can become sunburned if left uncovered. Young trees, especially citrus, need protection from the sun when temperatures increase.  
  
  Check out this video on how to wrap or paint the trunks of your trees:
  How to Wrap or Paint Your Tree like a Moon Valley Expert
  
  You can protect the trunk of a new tree from sunburn with Protective Tree Wrap which can be found at any of your local Moon Valley Nursery locations. To further protect your younger trees, you can double stake them. This provides stability when high summer winds or late summer storms come in. Moon Valley Nursery also offers staking services as well. Click here to map a location near you.
  
  
• Mulch:
  A simple and easy way to keep the soil moist all summer long is to apply mulch around the base of your trees. Mulch acts as a natural insulator helping to regulate the temperatures near the base of your trees and plants, while also aiding in the slow release of water to their root systems. 
  
  Adding a few inches of mulch can help keep your soil cool during the warmer summer months and warm during the cooler days. Mulch is available at any Moon Valley Nurseries location. 

INDEPENDENCE DAY "GRILL & CHILL" RECIPES

Looking to impress your guests this 4th of July? Our Nursery Pros happen to be big fans of using fresh fruit and citrus in special grilling marinades and cocktail creations. Check out our collection of the best fresh fruit recipes this Independence Day for a backyard feast that's sure to cause some culinary fireworks!

TREES TO PLANT FOR

INCREDIBLE SUMMER SHADE AND COLOR

July is a great month to plant many kinds of trees! There are quite a few varieties that love to be planted during the warmest months of the year. From fast-growing shade trees to flowering trees that increase the curb appeal of your home or add backyard interest, here are the best trees to plant in July.

CRAPE MYRTLE

Ready to take the spotlight in any landscape, Crape Myrtle trees are known for their gorgeous flower clusters, myriad of fall color, and characterful branching structure. They grow to a medium size perfect for use as an attractive living privacy screen, decorating areas around a pool or patio, or augmenting select areas of your yard with their distinctive color. If you’ve felt your landscape could use a bit more interest or are looking to add a massive amount of curb appeal to your home, Crape Myrtle trees will not disappoint!  

VITEX

Commonly referred to as Desert Lilac or Texas Lilac, the Vitex Tree is known for its long spires of purple, Lilac-like flowers. The blooms appear in the spring and last well into the summer and even fall, making the Vitex tree one of the best ways to add purple flowering trees to your landscape. Combine all this attractive color with the fact that they are both heat and cold hardy, as well as drought-tolerant once established, and you have a winner for almost any landscape goal! 

OLIVE

Olive trees are incredibly popular across southwest and west coast landscapes and for good reason! They are majestic evergreen shade trees with beautiful silver-green foliage, that are both heat and cold resistant. They require little water once established, and develop a high drought tolerance, allowing them to be utilized in a variety of water-wise landscape styles. Hailing from regions such as Spain and Italy, these trees carry a renowned Mediterranean pedigree and are sure to bring a distinctive Tuscan charm to your yard!