Garden Checklist

There wasn't an article from Elinor Teague in the paper today, so I will share what she wrote a couple of weeks ago. From The Fresno Bee, September 17, 2009 (edited):

Gardener's Crucial Questions: How Much Sun and When?

This question was presented to Elinor when she was at a cafe. The cashier wanted to know why the flowers, in pots by her front door, died so quickly. It ended up that her front door faced west and got 6 hours of direct sun each afternoon.

There are two crucial questions we should ask ourselves before we plant--(1) how many hours of sun, and (2) when, morning or afternoon. One way is to check the area you are considering planting, a few times a day in every season, and note the sun and shade patterns. "Our climate differs significantly from other zones. The information we see on plant labels and in gardening guides often isn't specific enough for our needs. A label that reads 'full sun' doesn't necessarily take into account the effect of the full sun on a late July afternoon in Valley gardens."

The cashier's potted flowers sat in the blistering afternoon sun. The walkways and structures heated up as well, and radiated the heat back during the night. The plants withered in the constant heat. The woman's solution was to use shade cloth or an umbrella to shade the plants during the hottest part of summer. The pots could also be moved to a shady area and then brought back to the front door in early fall.

"Calendulas, stock, snapdragons and violas planted in late September can provide a colorful welcome until mid-May when temperatures are again too warm for the pots."

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Gardener's Checklist:

(from 9/17)
September and October are great months to do major lawn renovation.

Tasks--Clean up around the base of fruit trees, and compost or dispose of all fallen fruit and nuts.
Pruning--While cutting and deadheading roses, prune lightly to shape bushes and encourage fall bloom.
Fertilizing--Pear and plum trees.
Planting--Phlox, rosemary (Rosmarinus), Mexican blue sage (Salvia leucantha), thyme; Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule); grape hyacinth (Muscari), narcissus, peony; purchase now and plant by Thanksgiving: raunculus, squill (Scalla).
Things to Ponder--Chill tulip and hyacinth bulbs in the refirgerator for 6-8 weeks. Do not store apples in the same area.

(from 10/1)
If you don't have a fall or winter garden, prepare for spring planting.

Tasks--Repair damaged spots in lawns by scratching the surface with a rake, seeding and covering with mulch. Do not allow to dry out.
Pruning--Divide and thin perennials.
Fertilizing--Fertilize cool-season lawns and flowering annuals and perennials to promote fall growth.
Planting--If weather is cool enough, plant spring bulbs and annuals; Canterbury bell (Campanula); dianthus; broccoli, cauliflower; barberry (Berberis), redbud tree (Carcis), fringe tree (Chionanthus), chitalpa.
Things to Ponder--Cover remaining tomato and pepper plants with a garden blanket to extend the harvest season into November.