Show #147 – Summer Pruning, Garden Protection & Creating a Backyard Wildlife Haven
As summer reaches its peak, timing becomes everything in the garden. This week’s Great Gardens Radio focuses on the final opportunity to prune spring-flowering shrubs, protecting landscapes from summer insects, caring for productive vegetable gardens, managing deer damage, and attracting birds to your landscape. Proper maintenance now helps ensure healthier plants, better blooms next spring, and a landscape that continues to thrive through the hottest months of the year.
Final Call for Summer Pruning
Late June marks one of the last opportunities to prune many ornamental trees and shrubs before next year’s flower buds begin forming.
Pruning Tips
- Lightly shape spring-flowering shrubs before August.
- Remove spent flowers (deadheading) to encourage healthier plants.
- Avoid heavy pruning late in the season.
- Trim evergreen shrubs lightly to allow time for new growth.
- Remove faded blooms from:
- Azaleas
- Rhododendrons
- Peonies
- Viburnums
- Hydrangeas
- Geraniums
Clematis Care
After blooming:
- Cut vines back to approximately 6 inches.
- Apply hydrated lime.
- Fertilize generously.
- Refresh mulch.
- Encourage another flush of growth and potential rebloom.
Scout for Summer Insects Before Damage Spreads
Summer heat brings increased insect pressure, especially in sunny landscapes.
Watch For
- Azalea Lace Bugs
- Spider Mites
- Japanese Maples
- Fruit Trees
- Roses
- Dwarf Alberta Spruce
- Burning Bush
Spider Mite Test
An easy inspection method:
- Hold white paper beneath foliage.
- Tap branches sharply.
- Tiny moving mites become easy to spot against the white background.
Recommended Spray Mix
For broad insect protection:
- Hi-Yield Bug Blaster II or Monterey Mite & Insect Control
- Mix 2–3 oz per gallon of water
- Add 3–5 oz Wilt-Pruf for longer-lasting coverage
The combination helps protect plants while extending spray effectiveness.
Keep Vegetable Gardens Healthy
Vegetable gardens are entering heavy production and require additional care.
Tomato Maintenance
- Side dress with fertilizer as plants enlarge.
- Watch for Early Blight beginning on lower leaves.
- Remove infected foliage promptly.
- Remove one healthy leaf set above damaged foliage.
- Add quality soil around exposed stems to encourage additional rooting.
Read Your Plants
Plants constantly communicate stress.
Watch for:
- Yellow interior leaves
- Pale foliage
- Wilting
- Downward leaf angles
Early detection allows quick correction before permanent damage occurs.
Deer & Rabbit Control
Summer browsing increases as wildlife searches for food.
Homemade Deer Repellent
Mix:
- 8 oz Bobbex or Liquid Fence
- 8 oz Wilt-Pruf
- 1 gallon water
Apply using a watering can around vulnerable plants including:
- Roses
- Hostas
- Vegetable gardens
The mixture repels by scent and provides approximately eight weeks of protection.
Long-Term Protection
Natura tablets offer extended systemic protection.
Benefits include:
- Approximately 16 months of protection
- Humates
- Mycorrhizae
- Bitrex deer deterrent
For rabbit problems, dried blood meal can also help discourage feeding.
Welcome Birds Into Your Landscape
A healthy landscape naturally attracts wildlife.
Create Bird-Friendly Gardens
Provide:
- Quality bird seed
- Fresh water
- Shelter
- Nectar-rich flowering plants
Excellent landscape plants include:
- Butterfly Bush
- Black and Bloom Salvia
- Sunflowers
These plants attract:
- Songbirds
- Hummingbirds
- Butterflies
- Beneficial pollinators
Bird Feeding Tips
High-quality bird foods can attract a wide variety of backyard birds, especially when paired with:
- Bird baths
- Native shade trees
- Layered landscaping
- Continuous food sources throughout the year
The result is a vibrant landscape filled with birds, butterflies, and other beneficial wildlife.
This Week’s Garden Checklist
- Finish light summer pruning.
- Deadhead spring-flowering shrubs and annuals.
- Scout for lace bugs and spider mites.
- Spray insect problems before populations grow.
- Fertilize tomatoes and vegetable gardens.
- Remove diseased tomato foliage.
- Apply deer repellents where needed.
- Install bird feeders and bird baths.
- Watch plants daily for signs of stress.
- Keep plants watered during hot weather.
Key Takeaway
Late June is a critical transition period in the garden. Timely pruning, early insect detection, continued vegetable care, and proactive wildlife management help protect your landscape throughout the summer while setting the stage for healthier plants and stronger flowering next season.
