What to Do in Your Central Texas Garden (July 15–31): Prune Now & Plan for Fall
Late July is one of the hottest times of the year in Central Texas, but there’s still plenty to do in the garden. In this episode, Colleen shares practical tips for dealing with chiggers, why she recommends avoiding French drains, how to prune trees, shrubs, fruit trees, and perennials during summer dormancy, and what vegetables you can still plant before fall arrives. She also explains how to calculate planting dates based on your area's average first freeze and encourages gardeners to save and share seeds with their local community.
🦟 Chigger Prevention & Relief
Chiggers seem to be especially active this year, and Colleen shares her favorite ways to prevent bites and relieve itching.
Prevent Chigger Bites
Apply a DEET-based insect repellent to shoes, socks, and pant legs.
Dust clothing or landscapes with sulfur powder (keeping pets away until it's watered in).
Avoid direct contact with areas known to have chiggers.
If You Get Chigger Bites
Take Benadryl at night to help reduce itching.
Apply witch hazel with a drop or two of peppermint essential oil.
Use peppermint soap to soothe irritated skin.
💧 Why Colleen Doesn't Recommend French Drains
If you've been dealing with erosion after heavy rains, you may be considering a French drain—but Colleen explains why they're rarely her first choice.
Common Problems with French Drains
Can damage tree roots during installation
Pipes may shift or break in clay soil
Tree roots clog perforated pipes
Standing water can attract mosquitoes
Repairs are difficult because the system is underground
💡 Stay tuned for the next episode, where Colleen discusses earthworks as a more sustainable alternative.
🌳 Tree & Shrub Care in Late July
Summer is still not the time to plant trees or shrubs, but it is an excellent time for pruning.
Summer Tree Pruning
Clear roofs, sidewalks, and driveways
Lift tree canopies for better visibility
Improve airflow between plants
Never remove more than 25–30% of a tree's leaves in one year
Shrubs That Benefit from Summer Pruning
Texas Mountain Laurel
Hydrangeas
Azaleas
Winter Honeysuckle
Elbow Bush
Redbuds
🌹 Rose Care
Summer prune to control size
Deadhead spent blooms
Remove rose hips to encourage fall flowers
🍎 Fruit Tree Care
Late July is one of the best times to summer prune established fruit trees.
Benefits of Summer Pruning
Keeps trees smaller and easier to harvest
Improves airflow and sunlight
Encourages more flower buds for next season
Reduces excessive vigorous growth
Don't Forget
Sanitize pruning tools between trees.
Remove dead, diseased, crossing branches and water sprouts.
Research whether your apple or pear varieties are tip-bearing or spur-bearing before pruning.
🌿 Summer Perennial Maintenance
Most perennials have reached their maximum size and benefit from a midsummer trim.
Cut Back by Half
Mealy Blue Sage
Henry Duelberg Sage
Mexican Bush Sage
Indigo Spires
Mystic Spires
Black & Blue Sage
Fall Asters
Goldenrod
Maximilian Sunflowers
This helps produce bushier plants and more blooms in the fall.
Deadhead Summer Bloomers
Yellow Bells
Plumbago
Pride of Barbados
Hibiscus
Refresh Overgrown Plants
If plants like Turk's Cap, Canna Lilies, or Lamb's Ears are looking tired or damaged, don't be afraid to cut them back now to encourage fresh fall growth.
🌱 Pruning Small Evergreen Shrubs
Late July is one of the best times to prune semi-evergreen subshrubs.
Examples
Salvia greggii
Damianita
Rock Rose
Mexican Oregano
Globe Mallow
Pruning Steps
Remove dead or broken branches.
Remove stems touching the ground.
Remove overly woody stems.
Lightly shear the top 2 inches.
This keeps plants healthier, fuller, and longer-lived.
🥕 Summer Vegetable Gardening
Many gardeners choose to give their vegetable gardens a break during the hottest part of summer.
If You're Taking a Break
Remove unhealthy or unwanted plants.
Store cages and trellises.
Add compost and fertilizer.
Cover beds with a thick layer of mulch.
Or Plant a Summer Cover Crop
Black-eyed Peas
Sunflowers
Millet
Buckwheat
Sorghum
🌞 Still Growing Food This Summer?
If you're continuing to garden through the heat, you can still plant:
Direct Sow
Okra
Southern Peas
Melons
Armenian Cucumbers
Cucamelons
New Zealand Spinach
Malabar Spinach
Molokhia
Magenta Spreen
Last Chance to Plant
Pumpkins
Gourds
Winter Squash
Important Tip
Count backward from your area's average first freeze date to make sure long-season crops have enough time to mature before frost.
🌿 Herb Garden Cleanup
Many herbs are ready for midsummer maintenance.
Cut Back
Basil
Mint
Lemon Balm
Chives
Prune Evergreen Herbs
Oregano
Lavender
Thyme
Sage
Rosemary
Marjoram
Keep Growing
Continue watering and feeding:
Lemongrass
Ginger
Turmeric
Roselle Hibiscus
🌼 Wildflower Meadow Maintenance
Late July is the perfect time to prepare your wildflower meadow for next season.
Don't Forget To:
Harvest seeds before mowing.
Mow to spread seed naturally.
Prevent woody plants from taking over.
Consider a prescribed burn if appropriate and properly trained.
🌱 Host a Community Seed Swap
This episode's activism segment encourages gardeners to share seeds and build stronger gardening communities.
Seed Swap Tips
Keep events free and informal.
Sort seeds by category.
Label seeds with the plant name and harvest year.
Donate leftover seeds to your local seed library.
Supporting community seed sharing helps preserve locally adapted plants and makes gardening more accessible for everyone.
🔗 Resources & Products Mentioned
Dusting Sulfur for Chigger Repellent on clothing: https://amzn.to/4xJJecD
Dustin Sulfur for Chiggers in the landscape: https://amzn.to/4f3j2RR
Peppermint Essential Oil: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07K3RTJ7B?tag=atxgardens-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
Stuff You Should Know Podcast Chiggers Episode:https://youtu.be/XUgbbqcoi1c?si=jN8sgRUavoE5P28S
Plant Labels: https://amzn.to/4mDMmBw
Orchard loppers: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0092KF3C4?tag=atxgardens-20&linkCode=osi&th=1&psc=1
Seed swap instructions (scroll down): https://www.centexseedsavers.org/startaseedlibrary
Let's Care for Texas Plants - Digital Download — ATX Gardens
Make an appointment at ATXGardens.com
🌼 Stay Connected
For more Central Texas gardening advice, seasonal planting tips, and sustainable landscaping guidance, visit http://ATXGardens.com and follow Colleen on Instagram @ATXGardens_.
