Late June is the right time to get serious about summer garden planning, and this episode of Gardening with Daddy Pete is packed with practical July gardening tips for the Piedmont and beyond.

Melvin York and Jay York walk through what you can still plant now, what needs to wait, and how to time your crops before the first fall frost. They cover days to maturity, average frost dates, and why your seed packet matters more than guesswork. You'll hear useful ranges for bush beans, pole beans, bell peppers, hot peppers, okra, pumpkins, summer squash, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, and tomatoes, plus a few notes on how variety changes the timeline.

The conversation also covers smart ways to use your space. If you've got a smaller garden or raised beds, you'll want to hear the tip about planting corn and following with beans. That simple setup can help you get more out of the same ground.

Pruning gets plenty of attention too. This episode explains which plants can be pruned in June and July, including certain evergreens, gardenias, roses, chrysanthemums, and fruit trees. You'll also hear a clear rule for pruning, don't remove more than 30% of a tree or shrub at one time. That advice can save you from losing healthy plants to stress or disease.

If you're tracking your garden by the season, this is the kind of episode you'll want to keep close. Take notes, check your local frost dates, and compare what worked well during heat and dry spells so you can plan better next year.

Visit Daddy Pete's Plant Pleaser® at https://www.daddypetes.com to find the podcast, sign up for the newsletter, and send in your questions.

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This week on Gardening with Melvin York and Jay York answer real gardening questions from viewers and walk through how to improve red clay soil, where to find Daddy Pete's Plant Pleaser products, and how to choose the right mix for your yard.

If you've got hard clay, sandy soil, raised beds, shrubs, trees, or a spot that just won't hold water, this episode gives clear guidance you can use right away. Melvin explains why red clay needs organic matter and drainage, why planting mix works well as a soil amendment, and when composted dairy cow manure is the better choice. Jay also shows how to use the Daddy Pete's website to send in questions, check product details, and find a dealer near you.

You'll also hear why local independent garden centers matter, how the product usage chart helps you match the right mix to the job, and why Daddy Pete's stays focused on trusted, consistent formulas. If you're a new gardener, this episode is a strong place to start. If you've been growing for years, you'll still pick up useful tips for the season ahead.

The discussion also covers why it helps to ask questions, learn from local experts, and keep building your gardening know-how one season at a time. That is the heart of the show, and it's why so many listeners come back every week.

Watch, learn, and send in your own gardening question for a future episode. And if you're shopping for Father's Day, Melvin has one simple suggestion, get Dad something he can use in the garden.

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Summer trips are easier when your garden is set up before you leave.

In this episode of Gardening with Daddy Pete, Melvin York and Jay York share practical ways to protect your garden before a vacation, so you can come home to healthy plants instead of a mess. They cover watering plans, soaker hoses, drip irrigation, shade cloth, mulching with straw, weed control, and insect scouting before you hit the road.

The focus is simple, keep your garden alive, keep fruit and vegetables producing, and protect the time and money you've already put into it. If you grow tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, zucchini, green beans, herbs, or raised-bed crops, these tips can help you leave with more peace of mind.

You'll also hear advice on:

* preparing your garden a week before you leave * using timers and irrigation to save water * why harvesting ripe produce matters before a trip * how straw helps lock in moisture and cool the soil * what to check for when you scout for pests and egg sacks

Melvin and Jay also talk about the value of local garden centers, independent stores, and passing gardening knowledge on to neighbors, family, and friends. That community mindset is part of what Daddy Pete's Plant Pleaser® is all about.

If you're headed out for a beach week, a long weekend, or a family trip, this episode gives you a clear plan for getting your garden ready first.

Visit the website, listen to past episodes, ask a question, and sign up for the monthly newsletter at https://www.daddypetes.com

If this video helps, like, subscribe, and share it with another gardener who's planning a summer trip.

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