Southern California August Garden To-Do List

As the summer heat beat upon us , our best game plan is to conserve our energy and drop a bit more prison term revel the garden and a act less time crop . I am not necessarily a morning somebody , but in midsummer , early dawning is my time to weed or do maintenance .

design for fall . One of the good things you’re able to do right now ? Plan . You may have heard the saying about California indigen : “ summertime planning , capitulation planting . ” Start have your list of all the plants you would like to buy this fall . If you have any hard - to - find plant on your list , you may buy them now if they are available and keep them well - water in their nursery containers until it is a good time to plant them . regard some of these stunning native :

put your spring - flowering electric-light bulb . Speaking of preparation , it always seems that bulb ordering time nobble up on me . If that happens to you as well , remember that it is dependable to refrigerate bulbs eight weeks before found them . So if you desire to embed bulbs in November , you ask to get your orders in pronto so that they ship with plenteous time for refrigeration . transportation could be a bit delayed in good order now , so do not detain . study about some outstanding tumble - institute bulbs for our region here .

Water deeply . Keep an oculus on the prognosis , and if you see a heat energy wave come , water beforehand and water deeply . In our gardens , even the most drouth - tolerant flora treasure some urine every few weeks . A few exceptions to this are California California beauty ( Fremontodendronspp . and cvs . , Zones 6–10 ) , woolly blue roll ( Trichostema lanatum , Zones 8–10 ) , and most aboriginal bulbs . These plant life do not require any extra summertime water , and you will do them more hurt than skilful by thinking otherwise .

handle for container works . If your pots are not overly large and backbreaking , debate relocate some to keep them from getting too much verbatim sun . succulent , peculiarly , appreciate some spectre . Potted plants ask to be kept water much more often in this heat . However , it is mosquito season , so be persevering about not tolerate water to call for in dish aerial . I prefer to keep my weed on invertebrate foot rather than on top of saucers for just this reason .

beguile up on your reading . What better activity on a blistering Clarence Shepard Day Jr. than to curl up up in a shady spot with a good Christian Bible ? I of late had the good chance to watch a webinar by Lisa Parramore , APLD , in which she was discussingLiving with Japanese Gardens , which she publish with Chadine Flood Gong . Just the simple thought of a Japanese garden evokes feelings of cool and tranquil . A Japanese - themed garden can be revivify anywhere , as it is more important to sharpen on principles than on accurate species of industrial plant . If it is not possible to travel to Japan right now , this can be your next best affair . memorise more about element of Nipponese garden here .

— Francesca Corra , APLD , is a nationally certify landscape designer and owner of Dirt Diva designing in Studio City , California .

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Northern California August Garden To-Do List

Southern Plains August Garden To-Do List

Southwest August Garden To-Do List

South August Garden To-Do List

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succulent in a container

In the heat of the summer, even succulents like some shade. This small pot rests under the canopy of an olive tree.Photo: Francesca Corra

California natives

This beautiful display of California natives features ‘Concha’ and ‘Yankee Point’ California lilacs, ‘De La Mina’ Cedros Island verbena, and Channel Islands tree poppies.Photo: Francesca Corra

spring bulbs

Create your spring-flowering bulb shopping list, and place your orders before favorite varieties sell out.Photo: Francesca Corra

Flannelbush

Flannelbush (Fremontodendroncv., Zones 6–10) is one plant that thrives in the heat of summer and requires no supplemental water.Photo: Francesca Corra

Blue Glow agave