The lazy days of summer have arrived. Even if you have gardening chores to do, this is the time to relax and enjoy the fruits of your labor. And don't overdo it when the weather is hot and steamy, which is to say, most of the time. Stay out of midday heat if possible, relax with a good beach read and a cool drink, and save any gardening tasks for the early morning or early evening.

LAWN CARE

• Fertilize zoysia lawns with a second application of fertilizer this month, unless you used a very slow-release fertilizer earlier.
  
  
• Remember to water when we don't get at least an inch of rain each week. Water in the morning to prevent disease problems. What's an inch of rain? Place a small container with a flat bottom (such as an old margarine tub) in your garden bed. When water in it is an inch deep, you've applied an inch of water.

AROUND THE GARDEN

• Pay attention to watering! Your trees, shrubs, flowers and vegetables also need at least an inch of rain a week. Pots, especially can dry out quickly in the heat. Check them daily.
  
  
• Avoid applying insecticides, fungicides or fertilizers when the temperature is above 85 degrees. Spray in the early morning , when the temperature is below 80 degrees and plants will have a chance to dry before the temperatures reach 85 degrees. Also, make sure plants are well watered before spraying - don't spray them when they're stressed by lack of water.
  
  
• Spider mites are having a great year, which means your plants probably aren't. Mites are tiny sucking creatures, too small to be seen easily on the leaves. The best way to check for mites is to hold a piece of paper under the leaves of a plant you suspect and shake the leaves a little. If lots of little specks fall on the paper, you've probably got mites. Spray with 'Organicide' sesame oil, being sure to soak the underside of leaves and needles.
  
  
• White flies are another pest that's everywhere this year. If you see tiny white specks on the underside of your leaves, and they fly up in a cloud when the plant is jostled, you've got white fly. They're difficult to get rid of, but Sure Fire Sticky White Fly Traps will help. You can also spray with Green Light Neem Oil spray (which is good for a wide variety of flowering plants, not just roses). June's humidity is causing outbreaks of powdery mildew on roses, lilacs, phlox and crape myrtles, among other plants. Continue to spray with Rose Defense (Neem oil) or 'Organicide' sesame oil every 7-14 days.
  
  
• It's not too late to plant summer blooming shrubs and perennials, but you do need to give them a little extra TLC. Plant in the evening or on a cloudy day when the temperatures are cooler and the plant has a chance to settle in before being hit with the heat and light of a typical July day. Be sure to keep newly planted shrubs and flowers watered well. Even drought tolerant plants need some help until they get established.
  
  
• Continue to deadhead annuals and perennials (cutting or pinching off dead flowers) for a longer bloom.
  
  
• If you've been pinching back your mums throughout the spring, mid-July is the last time to pinch. Flowers will begin to bloom about 5 or 6 weeks after the last pinching. If you haven't been pinching your mums all spring, here's an easy care trick: cut them back by half in early July and fertilize. This will help them to grow bushier and delay bloom until later in the summer.
  
  
• If July's heat has caused your annuals to fade, pinch them back and give them several weekly feedings of 'Master Nursery All Purpose' water soluble fertilizer.