•   The flavor and yield of strawberries vary from year to year depending upon spring growing conditions. Excessive rainfall dilutes the flavor of the berries and increases loss from fungal diseases.

•   Keep watermelon and cantaloupe well-watered when growing, but on the dry side when fruit is ripening.

•   After your vegetable garden is well established, it is best to water it thoroughly once a week rather than giving it a light watering everyday. That way, a deeper root system is encouraged that will help the plants tolerate dry weather. Generally, an application of one inch of water to the surface will wet the soil to six or eight inches deep.

•   Avoid side dressing tomatoes, eggplants and peppers with fertilizer until they have set their first fruit.

•   In most cases, blossom-end rot on tomatoes, peppers, squash and watermelons may be prevented by maintaining uniform soil moisture by mulching and watering correctly, planting in well-drained soil and not cultivating deeper than one inch within one foot of the plant.

•   While walking around your landscape, continue to deadhead annual and perennial flowers.  This will keep them from going to seed in some cases and help them trigger more blooms for the rest of the summer. 

•   Check your roses carefully for signs of spider mite damage.  Mites love the hot, dry weather we’ve been having and will take every opportunity to invade your roses.  Keep spraying throughout the growing season with a combination fungicide, miticide and insecticide.

•   When you need to apply chemicals, do it either very early or very late in the day to avoid burn on the foliage from hot temperatures. 

•   If weeds have been a problem in the flower beds, hand removal be your best bet.  It’s hard to kill mature weeds with chemicals.  Spot treatments with a nonselective herbicide such as Round Up or Finale may be possible, but be careful to avoid contact with desirable plants.

•   Take a close look at vigorously growing shrubs such as hollies and ligustrum.  They may need a trim to keep them inbounds and away from your windows.  Light pruning of the fast-growing shoots won’t harm the plant.  However, save heavy pruning for late winter.

•   Using drought tolerant ground covers is a great alternative to areas that require routine watering to look their best.  Many are economical and easy to establish, providing years of low-maintenance beauty.