My Illinois-in-July Garden

by | Garden | 7 comments

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My fluffy sunflower.

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We always stop cutting asparagus on July 4 so it can develop strong roots for next year.

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Three kinds of double hollyhocks — red, white, and cream.

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We’ll have chestnuts this year, despite the Japanese beetles.

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Two kinds of Concord grapes — seedless and seeded.

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The small purple dahlia.

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The melons, cucumbers, and yellow squash — so far, so good. They usually die in late July or August due to bugs.

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Sunflowers, zinnias, and acorn squash.

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My fuzzy sunflower.

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My white zinnias.

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Trying to live in harmony with the Japanese beetles, but it has become difficult.

7 Comments

  1. sheri

    Beautiful flowers! Maybe you just need a duck or two to help turn the tide in the war with the bugs. Thanks for sharing your garden with us.

    Reply
  2. Lisa Beth W.

    Are you totally opposed to using a trap for the beetles? I used one this year and was so amazed at how well it worked! It doesn’t touch the plants at all.

    Reply
    • LaurieBluedorn

      Yes, we use traps. We also use Sevin and soap and neem oil. We caught nearly 80 pounds with the traps.

      Reply
  3. Lisa Beth W.

    Oh, and your gardens look so lovely!

    Reply
  4. Denise

    What do you use the neem oil for?

    Reply
    • LaurieBluedorn

      It’s an organic pesticide which kills lots of kinds of bugs.

      Reply

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