Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs from now until next spring. Anything you remove now will also be removing next year’s flowers. Shrubs that bloom in the spring include azaleas, camellias, witch…

Cut back by one-third early planted annuals that are getting leggy or out of control to keep them looking good into the fall. Give them a shot of a water-soluble…

Keep your perennials deadheaded to keep them flowering. Be sure to remove the fading flowers down to a leaf node or new bud.

Give your chrysanthemums and asters a last pinching no later than mid-July.

July is a good month to prune “bleeder” trees, such as maples, dogwood, elm, birch and other trees that bleed when pruned in winter.

Raise the height of your mower to reduce stress on your lawn and to conserve moisture in the ground. For best results, mow 2 inches for Bermuda grass, 1-2 inches…

Start planning your fall vegetable garden. Late July is the time to start seeding your winter broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, and Brussel sprouts to be transplanted into the garden in mid-August.

Layering easily propagates many plants. Hydrangeas, viburnums, weigela, trumpet honeysuckle, Carolina jessamine, and climbing roses are a few plants that will root if tlhe stems are fastened down and covered…

Summer solstice is the longest day of the year and the first day of summer. Pay tribute to the sun by enjoying the long day.

Bats can be an effective way to control insects. One big brown bat can eat 3,000 to 7,000 insects each night. Attract bats by building and placing bat houses in…