What to do in the garden in July

It’s hot and muggy outside, but your garden still needs tending. Here’s what you can do in July:

▪ Weed after the rain when the soil is softened and weeds are easier to remove. Toss the weeds into your compost bin or pile.

▪ It’s a good time to plant the edible native Seminole pumpkin. It tolerates harsh, wet summers, and may yield fruit you can harvest in the fall.

▪ Take advantage of the rain and heat to plant tropical flowering trees. They’ll dig in and establish themselves more quickly this time of year.

▪ Make (or buy) a rain barrel to collect all that life-sustaining, chlorine-free water. Potted plants love it.

This story was originally published July 3, 2015 at 9:00 AM with the headline "What to do in the garden in July."