Valley View Farms: Uncle Jim's Almanac

We were planning on putting a list of things we should be doing in our vegetable garden on today's blog when we ran across Uncle Jim's Almanac. Bob's Market and Greenhouses supplies our growers with young plants produced for our garden center. Located in the Central Ohio Valley, Bob's climate is much like ours. Read on for some excellent gardening tips.

Be careful in the heat out there this week.

Uncle Jim's Almanac

July 2026

By John Morgan on Jul 01, 2026 10:00 am

Hey there, fabulous gardeners of the Mid-Ohio Valley! July is peak summer garden glory in USDA Zones 6 and 7—think bumper crops of tomatoes, cucumbers snaking up trellises, and zinnias popping like fireworks. The heat is on, days are long (until the 4th at least), and your plants are growing faster than zucchini in a rainstorm. Focus on deep watering, mulching like your harvest depends on it (it does), staying ahead of pests, and harvesting often to keep things productive. We've mixed local Mid-Ohio Valley know-how, WVU Extension tips, and real dirt-under-the-fingernails experience into week-by-week tasks. A dash of humor, practical advice, and no nonsense. Grab your iced tea, slap on some sunscreen, and let's keep that garden thriving! 🌞🍅

🌙 Moon Phase	Date	Garden Tasks
🌗	Tuesday, July 7th	Barren Time, Weed & Maintain
🌑	Tuesday, July 14th	Plant Seeds and Transplants
🌓	Tuesday, July 21st	Plant or Harvest Aboveground Crops
🌕	Wednesday, July 29th	Plant Root Crops

Mid-Ohio Valley (USDA Zones 6 & 7) — Bob's Market and Greenhouses

Week 27 (June 29–July 5, 2026 – wrapping from June)

Monday, June 29–Sunday, July 5: Top up mulch (2–4 inches) to beat the heat and lock in moisture. Deep water everything consistently (1–1.5 inches per week). Harvest early summer crops like beans and zucchini regularly—before they turn into baseball bats! Scout for pests like hornworms and aphids.

Week 28 (July 6–12, 2026)

Monday, July 6: Refresh mulch around veggies, flowers, and shrubs to suppress weeds and cool roots.
Tuesday, July 7 – Last Quarter Moon: Barren time—focus on weeding, turning compost, and general maintenance. Hand-pick any pests you spot.
Wednesday, July 8: Side-dress heavy feeders like tomatoes and corn with balanced fertilizer.
Thursday, July 9: Deadhead flowers (zinnias, cosmos, dahlias) to keep the blooms coming all season.
Friday, July 10: Check trellises and supports—cucumbers and tomatoes are getting heavy!
Saturday, July 11: Harvest herbs and veggies daily to encourage more production.
Sunday, July 12: Monitor for heat stress—water early morning and consider shade cloth for tender plants.

Week 29 (July 13–19, 2026)

Monday, July 13: Thin seedlings if needed and succession-sow quick crops like beans or radishes.
Tuesday, July 14 – New Moon: Prime planting time! Sow more bush beans, okra (Zone 7 bonus), or heat-loving flowers.
Wednesday, July 15: Pinch herbs and train vines for better airflow and yields.
Thursday, July 16: Fertilize containers and hanging baskets weekly—they dry out fast in the heat.
Friday, July 17: Scout daily for squash bugs, spider mites, and powdery mildew. Neem or soap sprays early work wonders.
Saturday, July 18: Harvest regularly and share the bounty (or sell at the market!).
Sunday, July 19: Refresh landscape beds and enjoy those pollinators buzzing around your flowers.

Week 30 (July 20–26, 2026)

Monday, July 20: Deep water and mulch to combat any dry spells—consistency is key.
Tuesday, July 21 – First Quarter Moon: Great for aboveground crops—harvest or plant more beans, cucumbers, or basil.
Wednesday, July 22: Prune spent blooms and take softwood cuttings for propagation if you're feeling ambitious.
Thursday, July 23: Mow lawns at 3–4 inches and keep an eye on storm damage.
Friday, July 24: Plant or direct sow late-season heat-lovers like sunflowers or nasturtiums for color.
Saturday, July 25: Check soil moisture and adjust irrigation as needed.
Sunday, July 26: Celebrate your hard work with a garden walk—those first big heirloom tomatoes are chef's kiss!

Week 31 (July 27–August 2, 2026 – heading into August)

Monday, July 27: Continue pest patrol and deadheading—don't let the heat win.
Tuesday, July 28: Succession plant for fall crops where space opens up (think more greens in partial shade).
Wednesday, July 29 – Full Moon: Focus on root crops or soil-building tasks.
Thursday–Sunday: Keep harvesting, watering deeply, and staying ahead of weeds. Prep for potential late July heat waves by mulching extra and monitoring tomatoes for blossom end rot.

July is pure garden magic in the Mid-Ohio Valley and Maryland—hot days, bigger harvests, and that satisfying feeling of filling your plate (and maybe a few jars) from your own backyard. Stay consistent with water and mulch, laugh off the occasional zucchini explosion, and you'll cruise into a strong fall season. Swing by Bob's Market for any supplies, plant recommendations, or just to chat gardening. Need August tasks, variety suggestions, or pest fixes? Holler in the comments or at the greenhouse!

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