Watering, weeding, and deadheading (and harvesting, if you are growing vegetables and herbs) head the list of projects for this month.

Watering - Watering may be the biggest job this month, especially when the weather gets hot. To keep a lawn green and lush, water about one inch every five to seven days.

Make a frequent check of flowers and vegetables for their watering needs. Generally, you'll want to give them about an inch of water each week; deep, less frequent watering is better for them than frequent surface watering. When possible, water in the morning so the soil has a chance to warm up before the cooler evening hours set in, as well as giving the foliage plenty of time to dry.

Check outdoor container plants every day during hot weather and about every second day in more moderate weather. Water them thoroughly each time you water.

Weeding - With warmer weather and more frequent watering, weed seeds will germinate faster. In addition, many weeds seed at this time of year and the seeds will be blown or carried into your garden. Take time to keep the weeds cultivated out of all parts of the garden.

Many weeds are hosts to insects and diseases. Keep them under control, so pests and diseases do not infest your other garden plants.

Harvesting - Pick fruits and vegetables as soon as they're ripe. Overripe fruits especially can attract a number of pests, and in this month's hotter weather, they will rot very quickly.

Deadheading - Keep deadheading flowers as they fade; not only will the plants look better, but if they're allowed to produce and shed their seeds, they're more likely to stop producing new blooms. Just a little time spent on grooming the plants really makes a big difference in the appearance of the garden.

Other Chores

Fall Vegetables - Right now is the time to start fall and winter vegetables. Plant or seed them directly into the garden or start them indoors. Green onions, carrots, beets, lettuce, spinach, radishes, and over-wintering cauliflower are the most popular vegetables to grow in the winter garden.

If you choose not to have a winter vegetable garden, consider planting a nitrogen-fixing cover crop to be turned into the soil in the spring.

Lawns - Watering is by far the most important lawn project this month. Water in the morning when it is still cool, so there will be less water lost to evaporation and so the lawn will not remain cool and damp overnight (and attract fungus or algae).

Raise the cutting height on your mower to keep grass longer, conserving water and helping roots stay cool.

Wildflower seeds tend to be ripe by late summer, so if you have a meadow to mow, this is a good month to hop on the tractor.

Perennials and Biennials - Many plants can be started from seed sown directly into the garden this month or next. Iris and other early-blooming perennials can still be divided this month and even into September. Choose a cool day or time of day, and give them a tall drink of water in their new locations.

Planning and Planting - This is the month to select fall bulbs for planting. Design your garden now, rather than waiting till the last minute. If you haven't yet removed dead and dying spring blooming-annuals, do so, and amend the soil for later planting. Replant with fresh color to add fall magic to your yard.

Houseplants - Houseplants will need to be watered more often this month, especially if they're in a sunny window.

If you are going on vacation, move plants out of direct sunlight, especially those in south-facing windows. If you have a helpful neighbor who will water them, good. Otherwise, water them thoroughly before you leave.

Slugs and Bugs - Take time to examine the garden on a weekly basis to see if slugs or any kind of bugs are ruining the appearance of any of your flowers or shrubs.

Our nursery professionals can help you determine what is causing the problem and recommend the appropriate steps to take to eliminate the culprits.

Perennial morning glories (Ipomoea acuminata) get started rapidly when planted now. Grow them from seeds or plants in full sun and in ordinary or poor soil, with no nitrogen fertilizer added. (Keep morning glory seeds away from children- they're poisonous). Water them regularly to get them going and occasionally thereafter.

These vines are invasive, drought resistant, and permanent once established. Use morning glories for an old-fashioned, colorful look and to hide chain link fences. They're not for formal gardens but can be an eye-catching ornament in the right spot.