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Help for the Home Gardener

 

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Visit the Center for Home Gardening

Stop by the Center for Home Gardening and get your gardening questions answered by our expert staff and Master Gardener volunteers at the Plant Doctor Desk, or check out our houseplant display and other home gardening resources! Be sure to also take a stroll through our 23 outdoor demonstration gardens, which include a vegetable and fruit garden, cut flower garden, an experimental garden, and a newly renovated native prairie garden.

Plant Doctor Desk (Walk-In)

April–October open daily, 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

November–March open Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–3 p.m.

Horticulture Answer Service (Phone & E-mail)

Hours: Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–noon

Phone: (314) 577-5143

E-mail: plantinformation@mobot.org

July Gardening Tips

  • Powdery mildew is unsightly but rarely harmful. Plants grown in full sun are less prone to this disease.
     
  • Do not fertilize trees and shrubs after July 4th. Fertilizing late may cause lush growth that is susceptible to winter kill. 
     
  • Japanese beetles (Popillia japonica) are usually active at this time. Hand-collect adults early in the morning and deposit them in soapy water. 
     
  • Aster yellow may start showing symptoms this month. Nothing can be done to save infected plants, so remove and discard any infected plants. 
     
  • Keep deadheading spent flowers for continued bloom. Cut back to where the flower stem meets the rest of the plant to keep a tidy appearance.
     
  • Crown rot of perennials is prominent when temperatures are 85-95°F for several days with intermittent rains. Be sure to use sterile practices when removing the plant and excavating the soil. 
     
  • Blossom end rot of tomatoes, peppers, and cucurbits occurs when soil moisture is inconsistent. Ensure even soil moisture, applying a 2-3 inch layer of mulch will help. 

More Gardening Tips