Gardening Tips
for
Southern California Gardens
A Month-by-Month Guide for Southern California Gardeners
Learn what to Plant, Feed & Fertilize, Prune/Trim/Clean, with added suggestions for every month in Orange County gardens.
Plant
Fall is the
best time for establishing California Natives. Look for Pacific Coast
iris, California lilac, manzanita, western redbud and Matilija poppy.
Plant
winter-flowering sweet peas along costal areas, soaking overnight before
sowing. Look for the variety Winter Elegance if you want blossoms for
the December holidays.
Now is a good
time to plant shade trees.
Select fall
bulbs for spring color. Choose from freesia, ranunculus, daffodil and
narcissus. Remember that tulips, hyacinths and croscus should be
refrigerated six to eight weeks prior to planting in warm winter
areas. Do not place in the freezer.
For fall and
holiday color, plant calendula, pansies, Iceland poppy, primrose and
snapdragon. Wait until October to plant in hot, dry inland areas.
Plant
perennials such as Delphinium, Foxglove, Hollyhock now for spring bloom.
Garden centers
will have a good selection of chrysanthemums and herbs this month.
This is the last chance to plant warm-season grasses such as Bermuda and St. Augustine.
Feed & Fertilize
Fertilize
roses and water deeply to encourage a fall bloom.
Most mulches
decompose rapidly in the hot summer weather so they should be replenished.
Fertilize citrus and avocado with organic foods. The organic nutrients will not promote too much soft growth prior to the cool weather.
Prune/Trim/Clean
Pull up and
compost spent annuals but continue to pinch back begonias, geraniums and
impatiens.
Prune dead,
weak or diseased branches from trees and shrubs.
Roses pruned now will come back with beautiful blooms toward the end of October.
Miscellaneous
Repair and
keep bird feeders filled so birds will continue to visit during less
abundant food months.
Water morning
and evening to minimize evaporation during hot, dry Santa Ana winds.
Withhold water
from crape myrtles in the fall and they will reward you with red and orange
foliage.
Azaleas,
camellias and rhododendrons are setting buds now so be sure they get enough
water along with their last application of fertilizer.
Reduce the amount of water to cacti and succulents to prepare them for their winter rest.
Plant
Plant anything
that survives in the desert or Mediterranean climates: California Natives, Pacific Coast
iris, California lilac, manzanita, western redbud, Matilija poppy,
penstemon, anything not frost sensitive and all of the "Cape
Bulbs" (those native to South Africa including freesia, homeria, ixia,
sparaxis, and watsonia).
Plant
winter-flowering sweet peas along costal areas, soaking overnight before
sowing.
Select fall
bulbs for spring color. Choose from freesia, ranunculus, daffodil and
narcissus. Remember that tulips, hyacinths and croscus should be
refrigerated six to eight weeks prior to planting in warm winter
areas. Do not place in the freezer.
Not sure where to plant
those bulbs? Do what Jean Rogers does, plant your bulbs in a peat pot and
when they're well established plant them where they look best. Move
them around until you find just the right place. As time goes by, the
peat pot will disintegrate and you'll have a perfectly placed flower!
Plant
cool-season flowers such as alyssum, calendula, canterbury bells, cineraria,
cyclamen, delphinium, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia, ornamental kale, paludosum
daisy, perennial candytuf, annual phlox, primrose, snapdragon, stock, sweet
william, sweet violet and viola.
Garden centers
will still have a good selection of chrysanthemums and herbs this month.
Plant winter
vegetables: arugula, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery,
cilantro, green peas, lettuce, parsley and potatoes.
Seed
cool-season lawns such as Marathon blends from sod or seed.
Broadcast wildflower seeds which will germinate after the winter rains.
Feed & Fertilize
After the fall
bloom on
roses, either cut them back and fertilize to promote a bloom before the end
of the year or let them form hips and gently approach dormancy.
Cool-season
grasses need an all-purpose fertilizer
Remove
emerging cool-season weeds from flowerbeds, then mulch.
Prune/Trim/Clean
Tender bulbs
such as dahlia, begonia and canna should be allowed to go dormant in colder
areas and then can be dug up and stored until spring.
Prune dead,
weak or diseased branches from trees and shrubs.
Prune
asparagus to soil level after the growth has yellowed.
Miscellaneous
Repair and
keep bird feeders filled so birds will continue to visit during less
abundant food months.
Keep Christmas
cacti at 500 to 550 to set blooms.
Reprogram
irrigation timers and systems to reflect the decrease in water needs as the
days get shorter and the weather cools. Turn the compost pile one last
time before the cool winter days.
Prepare banks and slopes to control soil erosion caused by rains.
Plant
This is
perhaps the best month to plant California natives or drought-resistant
plants. Consider bush anemone, ceanothus, flannel bush, toyon holly,
manzanita, Matilija poppy, and wild mock orange.
Force narcissus
into bloom for indoor beauty and scent. Also begin forcing Amaryllis.
Plant
cool-season flowers such as alyssum, calendula, Canterbury bells, cineraria,
cyclamen, delphinium, Iceland poppies, larkspur, lobelia, nemesia,
ornamental kale, paludosum daisy, perennial candytuf, annual phlox,
primrose, snapdragon, stock, sweet william, sweet violet and viola.
If you want
the newest colors of poinsettias, the best selection will probably be right
after Thanksgiving. This is also the month for the best selection of Thanksgiving/Christmas
cactus.
Plant
winter vegetables: arugula, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery,
cilantro, green peas, lettuce, parsley and potatoes. If you plan on
testing the garden for the winter, consider planting a cover crop that can
be turned over in the spring. Check out the crop cover selection at
www.ronnugers.com.
Feed & Fertilize
Feed
winter-blooming plants like cyclamen, Iceland poppies, pansies and primrose
for both growth and bloom.
Cool-season
grasses need an all-purpose fertilizer. Overseed Bermuda grass with
annual rye to cover the winter brown. Mow existing grass short, then
scatter seed and cover with a top dressing. One pound of seed for
every 100 square feet of lawn will do.
Prune/Trim/Clean
After they
finish flowering, cut back chrysanthemums, leaving six-inch stems.
They will begin to grow again in March. Old clumps can be lofted and
divided, roots cut apart and woody centers discarded, then replanted.
Twist off
small buds on camellias for larger blooms.
Prune pine
trees and other conifers now. They will appreciate the care when
summer comes and they are under attack from bark beetle.
Prune back certain cane berry plants such as blackberry, boysenberry, loganberry and spring-bearing raspberry. (Do not prune sub-tropical, low-chill raspberries common to Southern California.)
Miscellaneous
Renew acid
mulches under azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons. Water them well to
make sure they don't dry out from winter sun and winds.
Keep Christmas cacti at 500 to 550 o set blooms.
Plant
Plant bare
root roses, trees and vines. Julia Child, Rainbow Sorbet, Tahitian
Sunset, and Wild Blue Yonder are the 2006 All-American Rose Selections.
Plant tulip, crocus and
hyacinth bulbs that have been in cold storage. Cover with as much as
four to six inches of soil in a slight shady spot. Plant winter-color
annuals above your spring-summer blooming bulbs for instant and long-lasting
color.
Plant globe artichokes, Jerusalem
artichokes, asparagus, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, horseradish and
rhubarb. Also, cane berries, grapes and strawberries. Do so only
when the soil is not waterlogged.
Plant culinary
herbs indoors for use in holiday cooking.
Plant trees and shrubs now as
soil is still warm enough in most places for good root growth. The
winter rains will stimulate root growth for stronger, healthier top growth
in spring.
Select and
plant azaleas, camellias and rhododendrons. Many camellias are in
bloom now, so you can see the flower color.
Feed & Fertilize
Feed shrubs
and trees that will bloom in January to March.
Fertilize
fall-planted flowers at planting time with a starter fertilizer.
If azalea and
gardenia foliage is light or yellowish-green, water with a solution of
chelated iron.
Stop
fertilizing potted poinsettias and don't resume until they are through
flowering.
Prune/Trim/Clean
Prune
low-chill raspberries.
Prune
evergreens to shape them, lessen chances of wind damage and provide
decorations for the holidays. Branches that will hold their shape well
indoors include incense cedar, fir, laurel, magnolia, oleander, pine,
pittosporum, podocarous and viburnum.
Protect citrus
from cold damage by wrapping tree trunks in tree wrap and covering foliage
with cloth sheets. Cold soil and dry winds can cause rinds of ripening
fruit to develop bleached blotches and leaves to yellow where the sun
strikes. Roots are inefficient bringing moisture to these during cold
weather so be sure they get water without being waterlogged.
Cut off old flower spikes from your perennials. Dig up and divide clumping perennials. (they need this every few years.)
Miscellaneous
Cover the
compost pile loosely with black plastic biofilm to hold in heat and keep
rain from leaching out nutrients. Biofilm is made from cornstarch and
can be worked into the mulch pile after it has served its purpose.
Minimize irrigation to roses.
Plant
Plant bare root roses, trees and vines.
.
Now through
March look for bare-root fruit trees. For the best varieties in your
area check out www.davewilson.com/
For hardy fruit that will grow anywhere in the state, try one of the new paw
paws or jujubes.
Plant
vegetables like artichokes, asparagus, horseradish and rhubarb.
Plant berries:
raspberry, boysenberry, youngberry and loganberry. Try the new variety
of southern highbush blueberries which will grow anywhere in the
state. "Sharpblue" is the leading and most adaptable variety
in low chill areas throughout the world. It will bloom and fruit
almost year-round and the bush will be nearly evergreen. The berries
are dark blue, about the size of a dime, with excellent flavor and texture.
Feed & Fertilize
Feed cool
season grasses like Marathon, bluegrass and ryegrass. Use Marathon
All-Season fertilizer for quick greening.
Toward the end
of the month, look at applying organic fertilizers to all plants and top dress
with worm castings. The nutrients will be available to plants
when they need them as temperatures warm up.
Prune/Trim/Clean
Deadhead faded
flowers on poppies, primrose and stocks to keep them blooming.
Prune rose
bushes. Remember some climbers and many old garden roses bloom on
year-old wood and should not be pruned until after blooming.
Fuchsia plants should be cut back now and then pinched back several times as new growth begins.
Miscellaneous
Now is a good time sharpen mower blades and repair garden tools and other equipment.
Plant
Plant azaleas
and camellias. To extend the blooming season for azaleas, add Satsuki
varieties to the garden. These Japanese treasures will bloom into May.
Now is a
great time to plant trees. If you are looking for small size trees
without aggressive root systems, messy fruit and pest resistance, consider:
Japanese maple, Chinese pistache (male), crape myrtle, Tolleson's weeping
juniper, peppermint tree and Canadian redbud.
Plant bulbs for spring and summer blooms: tuberous begonia, caladium, calla lily, canna, dahlia, gladiolus, gloriosa lily, tigridia and tuberose. In cooler areas, wait until March. Look for pre-chilled pips of lily-of-the-valley to enjoy indoors.
Start new fuchsia
baskets and move holiday poinsettias outdoors after danger of frost has
passed.
Feed & Fertilize
Feed ground
covers, shrubs and flower beds with organic fertilizers. Top dress
with worm castings and add a little soil optimizer to stimulate organic
activity.
Fertilize
citrus, avocado, berry and grape plants with an organic food. The
organic nutrients will become available as the soil warms up.
An application
of Epsom salts or Sul-Po-Mag will help with basal breaks on older rose
plants.
Fertilize
roses.
Prune/Trim/Clean
Deadhead faded
flowers on annual color to keep them blooming.
Finish pruning
roses.
For instant
color, plant Bloomingdale ranunculus, Iceland poppies, primrose, pansy and
nemesia. Also, delphinium, and foxglove can be planted for later
blossoms. As weather warms toward the end of the month, plant summer
color: Surfinia petunias, Proven Winner' Laguna lobelia,
alyssum, impatiens and wax begonia.
Plant
perennials: armeria, campanula, columbine, coral bells, coreopsis,
daylilies, Gerbera daisies, geum, lavender, penstemon, Shasta daisy, yarrow
and veronica.
Plant summer
vegetables - artichokes, carrots, radishes, lettuce and tomatoes - toward
the end of the month. Don't waste your time with peppers, squash and
melons; it's still too early. Work organic amendments into the soil
prior to planting. Worm Gold Plus would be an excellent addition.
Plant citrus
and avocado. For smaller yards, try one of the dwarf avocados like
Littlecado, Gwen, Whitsell or Holiday. For true dwarf citrus, only
those grown on "Flying Dragon" rootstock will stay small.
Other dwarf citrus is actually semi-dwarf, only one-third smaller than the
standard.
Plant
flowering shrubs like Indian hawthorne, lilacs and viburnum. This is
the middle of azalea season; many varieties will be in full bloom.
Plant with an acid planting mix.
Feed & Fertilize
Use a product
that contains humic acids on the entire yard. Humics are the catalysts
that revitalize dead soils. If you have heavy clay soil, an
application of Organa will make them loose and porous overnight.
Fertilize
stone fruits after the fruits develop to half an inch in size.
Organic-type foods like Dr. Earth Citrus or Fruit Tree Food will offer even
feeding and are available as the tree requires.
Fertilize
roses.
As azaleas and
camellias begin growing, fertilize with cotton seed meal and top-dress with
Worn Gold Plus.
Feed
hydrangeas with cottonseed meal to turn them blue.
Prune/Trim/Clean
Cut back
hanging fuchsias to the edges of their containers and lightly prune those in
the ground. As new growth emerges, pinch it to promote greater
branching structure.
Begin pruning
hibiscus. Plants older than five years can be pruned a little each
month from now through August. First feeding should be done with
Whitney Farms Palm and Hibiscus Food.
Deadhead your
annual and perennial flowers by removing spent blooms. This encourages
more blossoms.
Deadhead bulbs once they complete their bloom cycle. Do not remove foliage. It should wither on its own in order for the carbohydrates to go back into the bulb for storage until next year.
Miscellaneous
Visit the famous Flower Fields in Carlsbad. They will be in peak bloom. In addition to the ranunculus, you can visit the Rose Walk of Fame.
Plant
Plant summer
vegetables - artichokes, beans, beets, carrots, corn, cucumber, eggplant,
radishes, lettuce, melons, peppers, pumpkins, squash, sunflowers, swiss
chard, tomatoes and turnips.
Plant summer
and fall flowering perennials, agapanthus, Japanese anemone, day lilies, chrysanthemums,
coreopsis, dusty miller, gaillardia, gazania, Gerbera daisy, lions tail,
nicotiana, tulbaghia, verbena and yarrow.
Plant azaleas,
dahlias, wisteria, and water lilies. It is a good time to pick sun
azaleas as they are in bloom at local nurseries. April also clematis
month; local garden centers will have many plants in bloom.
Feed & Fertilize
Feed
warm-season grass lawns after they have become uniformly green. Mow
weekly to recommended heights of one inch for common Bermuda, 1/2 inch to
3/4 inch for hybrid Bermuda, 3/4 inch to 1 1/4 inch for St. Augustine, 3/4
inch to one inch for zoysia. Fertilize with Best Turf Supreme.
Roses will be
at their peak bloom; don't forget to use Organa's Foliar Treatment.
Mulch beds with Gardner & Bloom Soil Building Compost mixed with Worm
Gold Plus.
Feed citrus
remembering that a mature tree can have roots three times the volume of
their canopy. The fertilizer should be spread around the
drip line of the tree. Whitney Farms, Dr. Earth or Organa are superior
choices. Worm Gold Plus may actually provide the tree with some
ability to resist pests.
To give a
jumpstart to next years bulbs that have already bloomed, feed them with a
balanced liquid fertilizer like Organic Advantage Plant Food.
Prune/Trim/Clean
Give fuchsias
their second pinch once they begin to grow again, and then allow them to
bloom.
Lightly thin
fruit on deciduous fruit trees to larger fruit later on.
Prune any
trees damaged during the winter.
As bulbs die back, leave the foliage on the plant until it has turned completely yellow. This allows the nutrients to restore themselves in the bulb crop. You may want to tie up the leaves to keep things looking neat.
Miscellaneous
Divide and repot African violets.
Plant
Still time to
plant summer vegetables - artichokes, beans, beets, carrots, corn, eggplant,
radishes, lettuce, melons, peppers, pumpkins, radishes, squash, sunflowers,
Swiss chard and tomatoes. Try some heirloom types like peach tomatoes,
Moon and Stars watermelon or Black Valentine beans.
Plant tropical
and subtropical flowers and shrubs: bougainvillea, brugmansia, brunfelsia,
calliandra, canna, golden trumpet tree, hibiscus, lantana, plumeria and
yellow oleander.
Plant tropical
vines like clerodendrum, dalechampia, mandevilla, passionflowers and
stephanotis.
Install warm
season lawns by seed, sod or stolons; St. Augustine, Bermuda, buffalo grass
and zysia.
Feed & Fertilize
Feed ferns
with an organic liquid fertilizer every two or three weeks now through fall.
Feed indoor
plants monthly to aid the growth of leaves and roots.
Feed roses
with Whitney Farms Life Links Rose Food. This will double the nutrient
uptake capability of rose roots. An application of Worm Gold Plus
should be done at this time.
Fertilize
camellias and azaleas when they have finished blooming with cottonseed meal
and Organic Advantage Soil Builder. Apply three inches of mulch to
reduce summer moisture stress. Keep mulch off stem and trunk of plant.
Use a good
organic vegetable fertilizer on eggplant, peppers and tomatoes to encourage
early crops and thick foliage that prevents sunburned fruit. The
Organa Veggie Garden and Tomato is ideal.
If you missed
April lawn fertilizer but sure to do this in May.
Prune/Trim/Clean
Prune winter
and spring flowering vines, bushes, trees, groundcovers after they complete
their bloom cycle.
De-thatch
Bermuda grass lawns. The warm weather will help them recover
quickly.
Thin vegetable seedlings to prevent crowding. More space will give healthier and larger vegetables. Worm Gold Plus can boost the health and vigor of the plants and provide some protection against insect damage.
Cur back
chrysanthemums to 12 inches for more flowers with shorter stems in the fall.
If needed, divide and replant cymbidium orchids just after blooming.
Plant
Still time to
plant summer vegetables. Nurseries have a variety of transplants: artichokes, beans, beets, carrots,
chayote, eggplant, melons, okra, onions, parsnips, peppers, pumpkins, radishes, squash,
Swiss chard, tomatoes and watermelon. T
Plant summer annuals:
alyssum, amaranthus, balsam, celosia, dahlia, dianthus, gloriosa daisy,
lobelia, marigold, nierembergia, petunia, phlox, portalaca, salvia,
sunflowers, tuberose, verbena, vinca and zinnia.
Plant bougainvillea, hibiscus and other subtropical shrubs and vines.
Plant tropical fruit trees like banana, jaboticaba, lychee, mango and star fruit in frost-free areas of the state.
Feed & Fertilize
Feed indoor
plants monthly to aid the growth of leaves and roots.
Mulch
vegetable seedlings, berries, asparagus and rhubarb with compost, and feed
with organic fertilizers. Soil organisms that thrive in warm weather will
make nutrients available to plants without burning them.
Fertilize fuchsias
and tuberose begonias with Neptune's Harvest or Kiwi Magic.
Do so throughout the hot months.
Fertilize
citrus, tropicals and subtropicals.
Feed roses
with Whitney Farms Life Links Rose Food or Dr. Earth Rose Food. This will double the nutrient
uptake capability of rose roots. An application of Worm Gold Plus
should be done at this time if you did not apply it last month.
Deep-water
everything in your garden. The summer heat can be intense for your
plants. Be careful not to over water natives or drought-resistant
plants. Watering melons, tomatoes and cucumbers deeply ever five to
seven days will bring larger crops. Deep-watering will help prevent
leaf drop on evergreen trees during the summer heat.
Lightly feed
warm-season lawns with organic lawn foods that will not burn in the summer
heat.
Prune/Trim/Clean
Trim winter
and spring flowering vines (especially wisteria), bushes, trees, groundcovers after they complete
their bloom cycle.
Remove foliage
from spring bulbs only after it has dried. Plants use green leaves to
store up nutrients for next year's flowers.
Clean up
fallen fruit, vegetable and flowers regularly as they can play host to pests
such as worms, borers and other larvae.
Deadhead
(remove) faded flowers to encourage repeat blooming.
Vigorously was
conifer foliage to deter insect infestations.
Stake tall,
floppy annuals and perennials.
If lawn is
sparse, prune and thin major shade trees nearby to allow more sunlight to
reach the grass.
Plant
Plant summer
color such as lantana, portalaca, verbena, vinca and zinnia in sunny areas.
Use coleus, impatiens and wax begonia in shady areas. Summer
snapdragon, Angelonia sp., are heat lovers for full sun. Gaura also
blooms all summer and loves the heat.
There is still
time to plant bean, corn, cucumber and summer squash seeds in the vegetable
garden.
This is a
great time to plant tropicals such as bougainvillea, gingers, heliconia,
pikake, hibiscus, plumeria and palms. Coastal areas can do this into
August, but it can get too hot in some inland areas.
Plant citrus and avocado along with tropical fruits like bananas, jaboticaba, lychee and mango.
Feed & Fertilize
Fertilize
citrus for continued fruit and foliage production.
Salts are
starting to build up in the soil. To minimize leaf burn on sensitive
plants, use Plants Choice SR. It's more effective than gypsum at
removing salt from soils.
Continue
monthly fertilizing of roses with organic fertilizers that don't burn.
Aerate lawns
to promote strong root growth.
This is about the time to feed camellias for the third and last feeding. The rule of thumb is to feed camellias six to eight weeks after the last bloom has dropped, then administer two more feedings at six to eight week intervals. Feed camellias and azaleas a final time with cottonseed meal or Whitney Farms Azalea, Camellia and Rhododendron Food. Mulch around camellias to keep their roots cool.
Prune/Trim/Clean
Pinch back
leggy petunias 50 percent and deadhead flowering plants to promote their
continued flowering.
Pinch off
fuchsia seedpods to encourage continued flowering. Misting on hot days
will help keep plants cool, but don't keep plants soggy. Take down
baskets during Santa Ana winds and protect them.
Prune late
blooming shrubs and roses, and prune wisteria one more time.
Prune back
spring poinsettias 15 percent.
Cut back
hydrangeas after blooms have faded. New wood will grow and this will
produce next year's flowers.
Cut blade grass lawns a bit higher during the summer months to conserve water (3 - 4 inches for blade grasses and 1 inch for Bermuda grass).
MISCELLANEOUS
This is a good
time to propagate bromeliads by cutting off pups when they are about
one-third the size of the mother plant. Make sure they get enough shade
during hot weather.
Bougainvilleas
less than three years old should be watered regularly. Stop watering
established plants (over three years old) at this time. There is no
need to water bougainvillea that has been in your garden five or more
years. Bougainvillea are not heavy feeders so little fertilization is
necessary.
Place ripening
melons on upside-down aluminum pie pans or cans to keep them off damp
soil. The reflected heat and light will help them ripen evenly and
sooner than when they are shaded by foliage. Once melon vines have set
three or four fruits, remove any new blossoms. This allows the plant
to put all its energy into producing big, flavorful specimens from existing
fruit.
Decrease the watering of figs now until fruit ripens to avoid splitting fruit.
Plant
Start seeds
for cool-season crops in flats or peat pots. Seeds take approximately
six weeks to grow large enough to transplant.
Plant seeds
for winter tomatoes. These are cold-hardy varieties that will fruit
when nighttime temperatures drop into the high 30's. Choose from
Glacier Stupice, Siberia, Taxi and the great tasting Galina Cherry.
Plant English
triangles now for beautiful flower spikes in spring. At points of a
triangle with 1-foot spacing, plant one each of Canterbury bells, foxglove
and delphinium.
Plant blooming
crepe myrtle, oleander (or wait until fall), bougainvillea, plumeria, and
cassia (or wait until next spring).
Lawns or
southern-type grasses and bare spots have their best chance for
establishment by winter if you reseed or plant stolons now.
Plant your
slopes with ground covers to get them established before winter rains cause
erosion.
Divide and plant bird-of-paradise.
Feed & Fertilize
Prevent fall
weeds by applying weed preventers like Amaze or Preen to flowerbeds and
Portraits to lawns.
Feed
container-grown succulents and other potted plants with once-a-month
fertilizers.
Feed ferns, water lilies, fuchsias and other tropicals with organic foods that won't burn.
Prune/Trim/Clean
If you haven't
already done so, cut back hydrangeas, leaving at least three buds per stem.
This will produce new stems; next year's blooms come from them.
Cut back
fuchsias and trim back felicia daisies and marguerite daisies as well as
perennial-like bachelor buttons, delphiniums, pansies and violas to
encourage a second bloom in fall.
Pinch back
impatiens, geraniums and begonias. Clean up old flowering stems of
daylilies.
Remove spent vegetables from your garden, such as lettuce and dead pea vines. A good idea is to add them to your compost pile.
MISCELLANEOUS
Divide bearded
iris now if they are crowded or didn't bloom much last spring. Break
off and discard older central rhizomes with no foliage. Allow
young, healthy rhizomes to dry out of the direct sun for several hours so a
callus forms over the break before replanting it.
Compost piles
work fast in hot weather. Keep them turned and moist.
Watch citrus fruit for drop. Make certain a steady supply of moisture is in the soil and cull as necessary.