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Things to do in July

Home

 

  • Check exterior walls for cracks, peeling paint or other damage.
  • Carefully climb on the roof  (provided the roofing materials can be walked on) and inspect it or have a licensed, qualified roofing contractor do it for you. Look for any apparent damage to shakes, shingles or tiles. Inspect anything that protrudes through the roof for rust, open seams or other damage. Warning: The roof surface may be quite hot!
  • Check operation of attic fans and turbine vents. If attic space is accessible, make certain that attic insulation is not blocking airflow through vents. While in the attic, check for worn electrical wiring, water damage, loose ducts, etc.
  • Check the operation of all electrical circuit breakers by turning each off and on. Do the same with ground fault circuit interrupters, usually found in bathroom, kitchen, garage and outdoor outlets. Replace those that don't work properly.
  • Measure incoming water pressure using a water pressure gauge. High residential water pressure can result in the need to change faucet and other washers more frequently. (The range of normal residential water pressure is from 30 to 80 psi. Ideally, the pressure should be between 45 and 60 psi in most residential plumbing systems.) If your water supply enters at high pressure, consider installing a water pressure regulator.
  • Remove accumulated mineral deposits from showerheads and aerators, by soaking in or scrubbing with white vinegar. 
  • You don't need to be a professional carpenter, builder or contractor to sense when something in your house isn't quite right. Follow through on your hunches by bringing in professionals early. Little problems can become big problems. Relatively small costs can escalate into large ones.

 

Garden

 

  • Divide bearded iris. Lift, cut off old non-producing tubers. Cut and separate new, young sections, trim the leaves to a fan shape, replant with leaf end facing the direction you want them to grow.
  • Aphids can have two or more complete generations. They are able to hatch and reach adulthood on one hot day. Spray whenever you see even a small colony. Use insecticidal soap, horticultural oil or malathion. You can use Orthenex on flowers and rose bushes.
  • Prune summer-flowering deciduous shrubs after blooming, then fertilize and deep water them.
  • Remove or cut back canes of blackberries that just finished fruiting. Tie to supports the new, young canes, as these will produce berries next year. It is easy to tell which canes fruited.
  • Plant corn in early July in mild winter areas and you'll get a crop just before cool weather sets in this fall. The ears will be slightly smaller but they'll taste just as good.
  • Watch for powdery mildew on roses, calendulas, begonias, crape myrtle, dahlia, lilac, phlox, photinia, Euonymus, snaps and zinnias. Spray with Orthenex at the first sign to prevent the rapid spread of this disease during hot weather. Look for the dime-sized whitish spots on the foliage and spray at the first sighting.
  • Compost is generated pretty fast at this time of the year. To make sure that your pile continues "working" turn it over frequently and keep the pile moist. If the compost pile should get completely dry the action stops and then the pile has to be started over again. When turning the pile, add sulfate of ammonia. It controls odors and feeds the microorganisms that are converting waste to humus.