Here are your monthly tips for July:

1. For perennials that bloom in the fall, this is your last chance to prune back, do not prune after July 15th. Examples are Aster, Chelone, Mums and Montauk Daisies. *Also keep in mind not to prune your Azaleas or Rhododendrum either past this date as they are now setting their buds for next year’s blooms.

2. We have been spoiled by a wet Spring and Early Summer. Now that we have had dry weather do not forget to water deeply to keep your plants alive.

3. Use a forceful jet from a garden hose to knock aphids off your garden plants. Spray roses to protect them against problems with mildew, blackspot or rust.

4. To keep your garden colorful this summer, plant later summer blooming shrubs such as Crape Myrtle, Hypericum and Clethra (Summersweet) and perennials such as Phlox, Liatris and Monarda.

5. Trim spent flowers in your garden to keep everything looking fresh and even lengthen some bloom times. Also do not forget to keep up on those weeds, once they go seed you will have even more to contend with.