Train vines to grow where you want them

Monitor and train vines, such as clematis, on their supports. It is best to do this on a regular basis to direct the vines where you want them to go.

Once the vines have been allowed to grow out for a few weeks without support, it will be difficult to train them to grow up a trellis or other structure.

• Mowing is one way to control weeds in a large, natural prairie area that is being established in your garden.

Native plants typically develop their roots, not their foliage or flowers, in their early years, which gives weeds the opportunity to gain a foothold. Mow weedy areas now at a high height to cut back the weeds and keep them from choking out the native plants.

In small areas, weed by hand. You can also carefully spot treat weeds with an herbicide.

• Installation of plant material can continue through this summer, even though it has been dry for a prolonged period of time. Good watering practices are very important to get plants established during the summer and when rainfall has been sparse. Be sure to keep plants moist before planting to minimize stress on the new plant material.

Containerized plants can sometimes be difficult to remoisten if they are planted dry. Be sure they have been watered before planting.

Plants that are grown in containers should have a lighter growing medium that will generally dry more quickly than your garden soil. They'll need more frequent watering until their roots go out into the surrounding soil.

Newly installed balled-and-burlapped plants need about 1 inch of water a week to get them established. Make sure that the rootball gets adequately moistened by watering at the bases of the plants. The amount and frequency of watering will vary depending on the soil conditions in your garden and weather conditions. Sandy, very well-drained soils will dry out more quickly than heavier, clay loam soils.

• Deadhead hybrid roses as soon as the flowers fade - the recent hot weather is fading the first flush of flowers quickly. Many shrub roses are self-cleaning and don't require deadheading. When in doubt, lightly prune old blossoms to keep plant looking attractive. Do not deadhead any roses that are being grown for their hip production.

• Tim Johnson is director of horticulture at Chicago Botanic Garden, chicagobotanic.org.