How to Care for Your Yard and What to Plant in July

Watering: We recommend watering early in the morning as this reduces the evaporation loss. Deep watering is the best way to ensure that the entire root zone becomes properly saturated. When it comes to watering trees, be sure to saturate the soil at least three feet deep and for shrubs, drench the soil at least one foot deep You will want to deep water your trees every other day for the next few weeks and continue to monitor them so they are not over or under-watered. 

Fertilizing: Moon Valley Nurseries has developed specialized blends of fertilizers that can give the material in your landscape a helping hand during the summer. Our fertilizers are designed to help trees, palms, and shrubs recover from any heat stress. Purchase our fertilizers at all Moon Valley Nurseries locations.

Protect the Trunk of Your Tree: Did you know that trees can get a sunburn, too? Young trees will benefit from sun protection as the temperatures rise. We recommend protecting a newly planted or younger tree from sunburn with a Protective Tree Wrap. Click here for a video on how to wrap your trees.

Mulching: If you want to help keep moisture in your soil all summer long, we recommend applying mulch around the base of your trees. Adding a three to four-inch layer of mulch is an excellent way to hold moisture and keep your soil cool in July. Visit a nursery and ask our nursery pros more about how to properly mulch your yard. 

Best Trees to Plant in July

Crape Myrtle Tree

Vibrant color in your landscape can make the heat a little more bearable. These small-to-medium trees bloom in the summertime, creating an abundance of different colors, depending on the variety. The blooming colors range from white to red, purple and pink. Homeowners with smaller yards will appreciate its ability to fit in tighter spaces.

They are drought-tolerant and are sure to add instant curb appeal. Plant them in the front yard and create drama when you highlight the tree with nighttime landscape lighting!

Shumard Oak Tree

Another impressive choice to include in your landscape for ultimate shade is the Shumard Oak tree. This oak tree is a medium-to-large size tree and grows into a canopy with a wide-spreading reach, which creates a large area of shade all around it.

This tree is a fast-growing species of oak that is very tough and long-living, so it will be part of the family for generations! This tree is known for its traditional look with large dark green leaves that can grow up to eight inches long.

Monterrey Oak Tree

Enjoy the amazing shade coverage our Monterrey Oak tree provides. This Texas native features a spreading canopy with striking green foliage that adds plenty of curb appeal and beauty to your landscape. Also known as the Mexican Oak, these fast-growing trees are favorites throughout Houston. Homeowners also appreciate the low-maintenance features of this beautiful tree!