July is when gardens are at peak performance, but it's also when even the most well-intentioned gardeners are most likely to make mistakes. After months of planting, pruning and tending, it's tempting to keep pushing the garden forward. But midsummer isn't spring, and trying to garden as though it is can put unnecessary stress on plants already coping with heat, intense sun and inconsistent rainfall.
July is less about encouraging fresh growth and more about helping plants conserve energy, stay hydrated and ride out the toughest part of the growing season. Some jobs are simply better postponed until cooler weather returns.
