July 19, 2025 - Weekly Gardening Guide

Episode Transcript

Hello, gardeners, and welcome back to the Keep Growing Podcast! I’m your host, John Morgan, here to guide you through another week of getting your hands dirty and your garden thriving. It’s Week 30 of 2025, covering July 19th to July 25th, and we’ve got a packed episode full of tips to keep your garden flourishing in the midsummer heat. Plus, we’ve got a New Moon coming up on Thursday, July 24th, so stick around for some lunar planting advice. Let’s dive in! 

 Topic 1: Take Cuttings from Herbs 

First up, let’s talk herbs. This is the perfect time to take cuttings from your favorite herbs like rosemary, mint, or oregano. Why? Because midsummer gives you vigorous growth, and those cuttings can root quickly to create new plants. 

Here’s how to do it: Snip a 3- to 4-inch stem just below a leaf node—that’s where the roots will form. Strip off the lower leaves, dip the cut end in rooting hormone if you want a boost, and pop it into a small pot with moist potting mix. Keep it in bright, indirect light and mist regularly. In a few weeks, you’ll have a brand-new herb plant to expand your garden or share with a friend. Pro tip: Label your cuttings! Trust me, you don’t want to mix up your peppermint and your spearmint. 

 Topic 2: Mulch Garden to Conserve Soil Moisture 

Next, let’s talk mulch. With summer in full swing, your soil is probably feeling the heat. Adding a layer of mulch—like straw, wood chips, or shredded leaves—around your plants is a game-changer. It keeps the soil cooler, reduces evaporation, and helps your garden stay hydrated during those scorching days. 

Spread a 2- to 3-inch layer around your veggies, flowers, and perennials, but keep it a couple of inches away from plant stems to prevent rot. Bonus: Mulch also keeps weeds at bay, so you’re saving time on weeding. If you’re low on mulch, check your local garden center or even use grass clippings—just make sure they’re free of herbicides. 

 Topic 3: Water Young Trees and Shrubs During Dry Periods 

Speaking of staying hydrated, let’s not forget about your young trees and shrubs. These guys are still establishing their root systems, so they need a little extra love during dry spells. If you haven’t had rain in a week, give them a deep, slow soak—aim for about an inch of water at the base, letting it sink in gradually. 

A soaker hose or a bucket with small holes works great for this. And don’t just water and walk away—check the soil a few inches down to make sure it’s moist. Healthy roots now mean strong, resilient plants later. So, go give those young maples and hydrangeas a drink! 

 Topic 4: Pinch Basil to Retain Four Pairs of Leaves Per Plant 

Alright, basil lovers, this one’s for you. To keep your basil bushy and productive, you need to pinch it back regularly. Right now, aim to leave four pairs of leaves per plant. Find the top of the stem, count down to the fourth set of leaves, and snip just above that node. 

This encourages side shoots, giving you a fuller plant and more leaves for that homemade pesto. Plus, it prevents your basil from getting leggy or going to flower too soon. Keep those pruners handy and pinch every week or two. Your Caprese salad will thank you. 

 Topic 5: Transplant Brussels Sprouts 

If you’re dreaming of roasted Brussels sprouts for fall, now’s the time to transplant those seedlings into your garden. Brussels sprouts love cooler weather, but they need time to establish before the first frost. Choose a spot with full sun and well-drained soil enriched with compost. 

Space your transplants about 18 to 24 inches apart—they need room to grow those tasty little sprouts. Water them in well and keep the soil consistently moist as they settle in. If the heat’s intense, consider some shade cloth for the first few days to ease the transition. By fall, you’ll be harvesting homegrown goodness. 

 Topic 6: Add Non-Seedbearing Weeds to Compost 

Last but not least, let’s talk compost. Weeding is a fact of life in July, but don’t toss those weeds in the trash—add non-seedbearing ones to your compost pile. Weeds like chickweed or purslane that haven’t gone to seed are packed with nutrients and break down beautifully. 

Chop them up a bit, mix them with brown materials like dry leaves or cardboard, and turn your pile to keep it cooking. Just be sure to avoid weeds with seeds or invasive roots, like dandelions or bindweed, unless you want a compost pile that sprouts its own garden. Keep it clean, and you’ll have rich compost for next season. 

 Lunar Gardening: New Moon on July 24th 

Before we wrap up, let’s look to the sky. The New Moon is happening on Thursday, July 24th, and in lunar gardening, this is prime time for planting seeds and transplants. The gravitational pull of the New Moon helps draw water up into plants, boosting germination and root growth. 

So, if you’ve got seeds for late-summer crops like lettuce, spinach, or radishes, or transplants like those Brussels sprouts we talked about, get them in the ground around the 24th. It’s like giving your plants a cosmic head start. 

 Closing 

And that’s it for Week 30, folks! To recap: Take those herb cuttings, mulch your beds, water young trees, pinch your basil, transplant Brussels sprouts, and toss those non-seedbearing weeds into the compost. And don’t forget to harness the power of the New Moon on July 24th for planting. 

Thanks for tuning in to the Keep Growing Podcast. If you’re loving these tips, share the show with a fellow gardener, and drop me a message at keep growing at bobsmarket.com. Tell me what’s thriving in your garden this week! Until next time, keep your trowel sharp, your plants watered, keep growing.