🌱 The Garden Wise Journal — July 2026
“Gardening is more than a hobby; it is a lifestyle.”
Welcome to The Garden Wise Journal
July is one of those months when the garden asks for your full attention. The heat has settled in, everything seems to be growing at once, and even the plants you love most can start looking a little stressed by afternoon.
But this is also the month when a few smart choices can carry your landscape beautifully into late summer and fall.
In this issue, we are looking at how native plants and nativars can help create healthier, more resilient Colorado gardens, what July tasks matter most right now, and why the idea that you cannot plant anything in July is one garden myth worth putting to rest.
So grab a cup of coffee, step outside for a few minutes, and let’s keep growing something beautiful together.
Feature Article of the Month
Natives and Nativars: Choosing the Right Plants for Colorado Landscapes
More Colorado gardeners are discovering that these plants do more than just look pretty. Native plants invite birds, bees, butterflies, and life back into the landscape while standing up better to Colorado’s dry air and unpredictable weather.
But there is another word showing up at garden centers too: nativars. These are garden-friendly versions of native plants often chosen for better size, longer bloom time, or tidier growth.
Used wisely, they can help bridge the gap between a beautiful home landscape and a healthier backyard ecosystem. The key is knowing when to choose straight native plants, when a nativar makes sense, and how to build a garden that supports wildlife without making things harder than they need to be.
DISCOVER THIS MONTH’S FEATURED ARTICLE
Plant Profile
Plant Profile: Crocosmia ‘Lucifer’
What July tasks matter most right now, and why the idea that you cannot plant anything in July is one garden myth worth putting to rest?
In this issue, we are taking a closer look at plants and nativars that can help create healthier, more resilient landscapes while still giving you the color and structure you want in a summer garden.
DISCOVER THIS MONTH’S FEATURED PLANT
Monthly Tips
What July Tasks Matter Most Right Now
July is also one of the most productive times to be in the garden, because every small choice you make now can carry your landscape beautifully into late summer and fall.
In this issue, we are looking at how native plants and nativars can help create healthier, more resilient landscapes and what tasks matter most right now.
CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE
Garden Myth Busting
You Can’t Plant Anything in July
The idea that you cannot plant anything in July is one of those garden myths that keeps showing up year after year.
While July is not the time to toss in just anything and hope for the best, it is absolutely not too late to plant smart. With the right choices, timing, and watering habits, there is still plenty you can add to the garden successfully.
The Garden Wise Guy Radio Show
The garden does not stop when the newsletter ends. Join Keith on the Garden Wise Guy radio show for timely seasonal advice, real garden stories, and thoughtful answers to the questions gardeners are actually asking right now.
Every Saturday from 7 to 9 am MST on Legends 810 AM.
Follow along on social media for steady inspiration between episodes, and if something is happening in your own yard, bring it to the show. Your question might shape the next conversation.
Have a question about your own garden?
Ask Keith a question for the next radio show
Keith Funk
The Garden Wise Guy