July Gardening Tips: Jerry Baker’s High Summer Almanac

Introduction

When summer hits full swing, the heat rises—and so do the garden challenges. Whether you’re sowing new crops, battling beetles, or looking for relief after a long day in the sun, these July gardening tips from Jerry Baker’s High Summer Almanac have you covered. Inside: lunar planting guidance, a Japanese beetle fix, and two simple home-and-health helpers to keep everything running smoothly.

---

🌕 Moon Phases for July 2025 (Eastern Time – USA)

• First Quarter: Wednesday, July 2 at 3:30 PM
• Full Moon: Thursday, July 10 at 4:36 PM
• Third Quarter: Thursday, July 17 at 8:37 PM
• New Moon: Thursday, July 24 at 3:11 PM

🕒 All moon phases are listed in Eastern Time (USA).

---

♋ Zodiac Mid-Summer Gardening Advice

Follow the moon and stars to maximize plant performance this month:

• Best Days to Plant Above-Ground Crops: July 4–5 (Cancer), July 12–13 (Libra)
• Best Days to Plant Root Crops: July 8–9 (Virgo), July 17–18 (Capricorn)
• Avoid Planting: July 1–2 (Gemini), July 26–27 (Aquarius) — least fertile signs

---

🌡️ Weather Snapshot

NOAA trends show typical July conditions across the U.S.:

• East & Midwest: Hot with scattered thunderstorms
• South: Humid with rapid evaporation
• West: Drought risk remains high

Tips:

• Water early in the day to avoid evaporation
• Apply mulch to cool root zones and retain moisture
• Watch for fungal issues in humid climates

---

🧤 Summer Gardening Checklist (With Regional Tips)

• 🌿 Sow fall crops like carrots, beets, and chard
  • Ideal in Zones 3–8 this month. These cool-season crops need ~60–75 days.
  • Tip: Shade seedbeds and water consistently in high heat.
• 🌸 Deadhead flowering plants
  • Encourages new blooms in zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds.
  • Helps keep the garden neat and productive in all zones.
• 🍅 Prune and stake tomato vines
  • Especially important by mid-July to manage fruit-heavy vines.
  • Boosts airflow and reduces blight risk.
• 🌾 Fertilize the lawn with care
  • Warm-season grasses (Bermuda, Zoysia): Apply a light feeding.
  • Cool-season grasses (fescue, rye): Avoid heavy feeding; spot-treat only.
• 🧴 Spray for pests before sunset
  • Evening applications reduce drift and target bugs at peak activity.
  • Ideal for beetles, aphids, and caterpillars.
• 🧼 Clean up debris weekly
  • Remove fallen leaves, trimmings, and dead flowers.
  • Reduces hiding spots for pests and minimizes fungal issues.

---

🧪 Jerry Baker’s Mid-Summer Garden Advice – Japanese Beetle Blaster

This simple spray helps fend off one of July’s most destructive garden invaders—Japanese beetles.

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon liquid dish soap
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 1 quart warm water
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder (optional)

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients in a one quart or larger spray bottle.
2. Shake well before use.
3. Spray beetles directly and apply to the tops and undersides of leaves in the early morning or evening.

💬 Note: This formula suffocates beetles and breaks down their waxy coating. Garlic may deter further feeding. It’s a popular traditional approach among gardeners, though complete control may also require hand-picking or trapping.

---

🏡 Home Tip of the Month (from Practical Problem Solvers)

Garbage Disposal Freshener

Clean your disposal without chemicals:

• Drop in a few ice cubes and citrus peels
• Run the disposal for 30 seconds

🍋 Ice removes gunk, and citrus oils deodorize—quick, clean, and effective.

---

🩺 Health Helper of the Month (from Kitchen Counter Cures)

Black Tea Foot Soak

Cool off and revive sore feet after a hot gardening day:

You’ll Need:

• 4 black tea bags
• 1 quart boiling water
• (Optional) 1 tbsp Epsom salts

Steep, let the water cool to the temperature of a warm bath, and soak feet for 15–20 minutes.

👣 Black tea’s tannins offer odor control and skin-soothing properties. A time-tested remedy.

Conclusion

With the right tools, timing, and a few clever tricks, you can beat the heat, outsmart the beetles, and enjoy a thriving yard all summer long. These July gardening tips from Jerry Baker’s High Summer Almanac bring together timeless wisdom and timely tasks to help you thrive in every corner of your garden—and beyond.

👉 Check out these plants that naturally repel insects and share with your friends!