July in the Garden: Watering Tips & Growing Smarter in Central Oregon
By the time July rolls around, most gardens in Central Oregon are in full swing — raised beds are bursting with greens, tomatoes are setting fruit, and the bees seem to know exactly where they’re needed. It’s the heart of the season, but it’s also the time when the summer heat really settles in.
This is when gardening shifts from planting and dreaming to nurturing and maintaining. It’s when our focus turns to things like consistency, care, and paying attention to the little details that keep our gardens healthy in a climate that can be as challenging as it is beautiful.
Here are a few thoughtful tips to help your garden not just survive, but thrive this July:
1. Water Wisely, Not Just Often
Central Oregon’s climate is dry, with high-altitude sun and fast-draining soil — and that means we have to be intentional with how we water.
Water early in the day. Morning watering allows moisture to soak in before the heat sets in. It also helps avoid fungal issues that can arise from evening dampness.
Go deep. Instead of watering daily, aim for longer, deeper soakings every two to three days. This encourages stronger root growth and helps your plants become more drought-tolerant.
Check your soil. Use your fingers or a moisture meter to test beneath the surface. The top may look dry, but it’s what’s happening a few inches down that matters.
2. Mulch Is Your Garden’s Best Friend
A good layer of mulch is like giving your soil a little shade and protection — which is especially helpful during Central Oregon’s hot, dry afternoons.
Use straw, bark, compost, or even grass clippings.
Mulch helps retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and suppress weeds — all essential during July.
Just make sure to keep mulch pulled back a few inches from the base of plants to prevent rot.
3. Deadhead, Prune, and Pinch Back
Keeping your plants tidy encourages more growth and longer bloom times.
Deadhead flowers like zinnias, cosmos, and dahlias to encourage continuous blooming.
Pinch back herbs like basil and mint to keep them from going to seed — and to enjoy even more fresh harvest.
Prune tomato suckers if you're growing indeterminate varieties. It helps channel the plant’s energy toward fruit production.
4. Support and Stake Before It’s Too Late
By mid-July, plants can suddenly seem twice as big as they were just last week. Get ahead of the growth spurt with good support.
Use cages, stakes, or trellises to keep tomatoes, beans, and cucumbers upright and healthy.
Check existing ties — plants grow fast this time of year and can outgrow them quickly.
5. Mind the Pests — Naturally
With all the growth happening above ground, July is also when garden pests start showing up more persistently — aphids on your kale, earwigs hiding under leaves, or spider mites on your squash.
Start with observation. Look under leaves, along stems, and in the soil. Most pests start small — the sooner you catch them, the easier they are to manage.
Encourage beneficial insects. One of the best natural defenders? Ladybugs. These tiny garden heroes love to feast on aphids, mites, and other soft-bodied pests.
We’ve got live ladybugs available at the market — ready to be released into your garden right where they’re needed most. (Pro tip: release them at dusk and lightly mist your plants first so they’ll stay put and settle in.)
Avoid harsh chemical sprays. They often do more harm than good, especially to pollinators and the soil’s natural ecosystem.
A healthy, balanced garden invites helpful insects, keeps pests in check, and grows strong from the ground up.
6. Take Notes — Your Future Garden Will Thank You
Whether it’s what worked well in your raised beds, when you saw the first ripe tomato, or which variety of zucchini went wild — keep a little garden journal or jot things down on your phone. July is a great time to observe and learn.
Your future self, standing in next year’s garden, will be glad you did.
A Final Note from Us
Gardening in Central Oregon isn’t always simple — but that’s part of what makes it so rewarding. The rhythm of tending, the small wins, the connection to the land — it all adds up to something meaningful.
If you need help choosing the right mulch, want advice on pest management, or just need to talk tomatoes with someone who gets it — we’re here. Swing by anytime!