Summer Garden Chores July, August, September | UC Agriculture and Natural Resources

June 21, 2022

As the summer swelters on, we can all be thankful that there are only four big things to think about each month. Be smart about sun exposure and work in the early mornings or spread the chores across several days if needed.

July Ideas

ONE –WATER – We are officially facing another drought year, so conservation of as much water as possible in the landscape is an imperative. Do not water mature, native California oaks. To save mature, drought tolerant trees, deep water only once per month. Mature fruiting and most ornamental trees growing in our clay-loam soil will need a deep irrigation every 14 days. Mature citrus trees can go about 10 days between deep irritations. Potted trees are not good conservers of water. They need to be checked, and in some cases, watered daily.

TWO – Still have a lawn that hasn't been replaced with drought resistant landscaping? If you have a lawn and it is browning in large areas, it could be an irrigation problem. A quick irrigation audit of the lawn area will help determine if the sprinklers are matched and working properly. Information on checking the output of lawn sprinklers can be found on the IPM website. Check with your local water provider to see if they are offering partial or complete rebates for changes to efficient sprinklers. In spots with a more defined edge, it could mean a lawn disease or pest problem. Evidence of caterpillars or grubs can be found just under the surface of the green grass right outside of the damaged area. If the brown area is not spreading, treatment to destroy the pests is unnecessary since it will not bring back dead spots and the pest is probably gone. If pest problems persist, investigate what cultural changes could be made to reduce susceptibility in the future. If a dog has access to the lawn area, the round brown spots may be just “dog spots”. In that case, it is best to remove the brown grass, rake the soil underneath, water and overseed in September.

THREE – It's hot outside, but the need to garden continues. Try making an open terrarium filled with succulents. Place a layer of stones plus some horticultural charcoal at the bottom of a glass container. Top the stones and charcoal with a thin layer of moss and some soil. Add succulents, a decorative item or two, and water gently. Let the soil dry out completely between watering.

FOUR – Avoid harboring pests that will affect next year's production by cleaning up mummies and old fruit and nuts in and under trees.

In August

ONE – Take some time during these dog days of summer to enjoy the landscape and garden while planning a winter garden and deciding on landscape additions. Select seed, gather whatever soil amendments, tools, and irrigation supplies are needed, and find where that perfect plant, shrub, or tree can be purchased. Visits to nurseries are a great way to beat the heat.

TWO – It is time to think of a cool season vegetable garden. Just saying those words, like a mantra, may bring some

relief from the heat this month. The downside is that the seeds need to be planted and nurtured this month to produce over the winter. Lee Miller's article, Planning and Planting a Cool Season Vegetable Garden, in the2013 summer issue of the Master Gardener newsletter, Garden Notes, provides additional information. Lettuce, kale, and Chinese cabbage planted now will mature for fall salads. Try some heirloom lettuces this year to brighten both gardens and salads. Beets, carrots, turnips, and fast-maturing potatoes planted now should yield a crop by Christmas. Beet varieties that do well in our area are those with 60 days or less from seed sowing to maturity (as listed on the seed packet). Carrot lovers might try growing white, yellow, orange-red, or purple varieties from seed.

THREE – Apricots and cherries should have their final pruning this month. Pruning during the wet, winter season could lead to detrimental canker infections in the trees. The pathogens for these diseases are spread by rain or tree wounds (like pruning cuts) during wet weather and continue to spread through the wood of the tree for several years.

FOUR –Note Lee Miller's Help Desk article in this Blog and plant a bed of strawberries this month for an abundant crop next year. Since plants only produce well for about three years, try only planting a third of the patch this year, adding a third next year and a third the following year. Planting on a rotation like that will result in a consistent yield and not be such a daunting task in the heat of summer.

September Notes

ONE – While people might like the coming of cooler weather that September signals, so do fleas! Be sure to groom and monitor pets during the cooler months of autumn to detect the beginning of any infestation. In California, Cat fleas, Ctenocephalides felis, are most common on domestic cats and dogs. Although dog fleas look like cat fleas, they are rare in our state. Adult fleas are no larger than 1/8 inch long, so it is difficult to see a number of the characteristics used to describe them. These reddish-brown, wingless insects are laterally compressed, so they look as if they are walking on edge. Cat fleas have both pronotal and genal combs. For more information on these unwanted insects which can also infest a home if left unchecked, see the UC IPM pest notes on fleas.

TWO – Landscapes can be brightened by setting out transplants of a variety of flowers found in local nurseries. Favorites include pansies, verbena, dianthus, and mums. If there is room, plant a tree on the southwest side of a dwelling to provide shade in the coming years. Be sure to check the mature size (both width and height) of the tree to know if there will be ample room once it reaches maturity. Shrubs and groundcover that are beginning to look a little bedraggled should be replaced as the weeks begin to cool. If this is a more bountiful year for water, nature should do most of the fall and winter watering to develop a strong root structure and beautiful new growth starting next spring. If we are facing another dry winter, remember that even “low water” and “drought resistant” plants need consistent watering until they are established.

THREE – Although it seems kind of early to think about spring, now is the time to plant spring blooming bulbs. Bulbs should appear in nurseries right after Labor Day. They are most effective in big flowerpots and in kidney-shaped drifts at the front of garden beds. Some excellent choices include bluebells, daffodils, hyacinth, grape hyacinth, and tulips. Bulbs should bloom beautifully in spring with just rainwater over the fall and winter months. Before planting, check the expected height of different flowers and plant the bulbs so that once blooming, the taller ones wont' obstruct the view of the shorter flowers.

FOUR – In case rain is sparse again this year, organic mulch applied several inches thick around plants will help keep roots moist. Keep the mulch 3-5 inches from the trunks of plants to avoid problems with rot. This is basically just good practice in the landscape whether or not there is ample winter rain.

Information for this article has been gathered from: