1. Water  Early morning is the best time… otherwise most of the irrigation
water evaporates. Deep soaking is best because it gives the plant a greater
reservoir to draw from.

 

2. Native Tree Care   Although we must be grateful for the rains earlier

this week, the weather experts are predicting a fairly dry and hot summer.
Once it arrives, remember your trees are going to be thirsty too. A small
amount of rain does little to carry moisture deep into the soil.

 

3. Mulch This will cool the roots and slow the water loss from evaporation.
Mixing your mulch 50:50 (bag-for-bag) with compost, will add nutrition
and relieve stress.

 

4. Slow release fertilizers When feeding flowerbeds and turf, be sure to
use an organic-based, slow-release fertilizer. You will avoid burning plant
roots in the summer heat and will have little impact on our watershed. Foliar
sprays with seaweed will also help reduce heat stress.

5. Care for your roses  The first flush of your spring roses has finished.
The flowering ends of the rose stems have probably formed hips (seed pods).
Cut them off and there will be a new round of flowering. Also, give them
some rose food. Examine them for any sign of insects, especially spidermites,
and treat with horticultural oil (Sunspray or All Seasons) or Spinosad.

6. Mow high Cut you grass as high as you can stand. Longer grass blades will
help shade the turf and conserve water. Leave clippings on the lawn.

 

7. Add summer color This is the right time to plant heat loving summer
color in those empty spaces. Planting in the morning and evening is best.
For summer color, zinnias, purslane, moss rose, and vinca seem to be the
hardiest. Make sure they get enough water when they are establishing
themselves. Happy gardening everyone!  © Chris Winslow 2010