Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, July 8, 2010:

July's heat ripens fruit and vegetables rapidly. Harvest frequently.

Tasks--Control weeds before they flower and multiply.
Pruning--Pinch back new growth to improve plant shapes and encourage bloom.
Fertilizing--Select a lawn fertilizer that is rich in potassium for deep roots and water efficiency.
Planting--If your needs are such that you must plant now, remember to provide ample water and temporary shade. Plant: spider lily (Lyconis); from seeds: corn, parsnips.
Things to Ponder--Remain aware of climate changes and how they may be affecting plants and shrubs in your garden.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, July 1, 2010:

Remember friends, neighbors and shut-ins with extra produce and flowers from your garden.

Tasks--Use water wisely in all parts of the garden.
Pruning--Deadhead annuals and perennials.
Fertilizing--Give special attention to container plants.
Planting--Midsummer in the Valley is typically not the best planting time; cyclamen; from seed: cauliflower, celeriac, celery.
Things to Ponder--Do not spray herbicides when daily temperatures exceed 100 degrees to prevent the spray from vaporizing. Protect neighboring plants with a cardboard shield.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, June 24, 2010:

Gather everything red, white and blue in the garden to decorate for Independence Day.

Tasks--Avoid over-watering lawns to help prevent warm-weather diseases.
Pruning--Cut spent canes to the ground after harvesting berries. Attach new canes to the trellis for next year's crop.
Fertilizing--Apply fertilizer regularly for bloom and fruit production.
Planting--In foothill areas, continue planting warm-weather season flowers and vegetables. Autumn crocus; from seed: basil, beans, cabbage.
Things to Ponder--Adjust lawn mower setting to cut lawn higher. Set mower to 2 1/2 to 3 inches for tall fescue, 3/4 to 1 inch for common bermuda, and 1/2 to 3/4 inches for hybrid bermuda.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, June 17, 2010:

Enjoy the balmy June evenings with a poolside barbecue, an ice-cream social or outdoor dining.

Tasks--Early-morning irrigation is best for bedding plants and lawns to prevent foliar disease.
Pruning--Cut away the blight in apples and ornamental pears.
Fertilizing--Fertilize almond, apple, peach, nectarine and plum.
Planting--fortnight lily (Dietes), geranium (Pelargonium), sage (Salvia), pincushion flower (Scabiosa), Plumbago auriclata, dwarf pomegranate (Punica nana), moss rose (Portulaca grandiflora) [see picture], marigold (Tagetes); from seed: zinnia, pumpkins, squash. Things to Ponder--A walk around the garden just before dark can be a good opportunity to hunt for snails as they emerge to feed at night.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, June 10, 2010:

As June days heat up, evenings in the garden are a real treat.

Tasks--Spray fruiting pear for codling moth.
Pruning--Pinch back annuals and perennials to encourage sturdy growth.
Fertilizing--Yellow leaves may be a sign of chlorosis, which can be treated with chelated iron.
Planting--Sow seeds of any late summer or early fall blooming annuals, such as cosmos, marigold, zinnia and sunflower; cclamen; gazania, day lily (Hemerocallis), morning glory (Ipomoea), crape myrtle (Lagarstroemia indica), lantana, honeysuckle (Lonicera), chayote, okra, lobelia, nicotiana, petunia.
Things to Ponder--Spider mites can be managed by rinsing dust from foliage.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, June 3, 2010:

Harvest vegetables and deadhead flowers regularly to encourage continued production.

Tasks--Avoid cutting lawns too severely because the resulting stress causes yellowing.
Pruning--Remove spent blooms. Cut back annuals that have stopped blooming to encourage re-bloom.
Fertilizing--Avoid fertilizing herbs as too much fertilizer reduces flavor and fragrance.
Planting--Plant summer vegetables at timed intervals to prolong harvest; fall flowering Crocus, coneflower (Echinacea), hibiscus, hydrangea, lobelia; from seed: corn, cucumber.
Things to Ponder--Plant in the cooler morning or evening hours.

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We will likely be getting back to regular postings soon--I was in Idaho for a while, and Bryce has end-of-the-school testing and grading (he teaches high school). If you have any questions, I will get an answer to you! --Gard'n Judy

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, May 27, 2010:

The garden is in full bloom and starting to produce a crop this month.

Tasks--Mow lawns frequently, removing only one-third of the growth with each mowing.
Pruning--Trim fast-growing hedges regularly.
Fertilizing--Apply a light feeding to summer flowers and vegetables. Water thoroughly after application.
Planting--Fill in bare spots from earlier plantings of annuals; clivia, lily-of-th-Nile (Agapanthus), bougainvillea, butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii); from seed: beans, cantaloupe.
Things to Ponder--Annual and vegetable plants that are set out now should not be planted in the heat of the day.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, May 6, 2010:

When plants grow where we don't want them to grow, we consider them weeds.

Tasks--When using herbicides for weed control, spray on a calm day and protect plants by shielding with a large piece of cardboard.
Pruning--shape spring-flowering shrubs after bloom.
Fertilizing--Feed vegetables and lawns with all-purpose fertilizer.
Planting--Many annuals and vegetables can be planted from seed or transplanted; from seed: coneflower (Echinacea), beard tongue (Penstemon), gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia); gladiolus; from seed: corn, pumpkin, spinach, squash, watermelon; bluebeard (Caryopteris); globe amaranth (Gomphrena).
Things to Ponder--To cover 100 square feet of space with mulch 3 inches deep, you will need 1 cubic yard of trunk space.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, April 29, 2010:

Celebrate spring by giving a basket of flowers or vegetables to someone special.

Tasks--Pull weeds and hoe often.
Pruning--Remove dead branches from shrubs.
Fertilizing--Feed bedding plants with all-purpose fertilizer high in phosphorus.
Planting--Plant summer vegetables at two-week intervals to prolong harvest; lily of the Nile (Agapanthus), alstroemeria; fortnight lily (Dietes); cantaloupe, chard, chayote; bougainvillea; vinca (Catharantus) lisianthus (Eustorna).
Things to Ponder--To water hillsides, set emitters on upper side of slope.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, April 22, 2910:

There is much beauty in the late spring gardens of the central San Joaquin Valley.

Tasks--Water and mow lawn. Set mower blades higher to shade out weeds and keep roots cool.
Pruning--Pinch new growth on flowers and shrubs to encourage a compact shape.
Fertilizing--Fertilize, remembering that a little used more often is better than a lot at one time.
Planting--Plant annuals and perennials for seasonal color; yarrow (Achillea), dianthus from seed; dahlia; beans, beets, corn; abutilon; floss flower (Ageratum), amaranthus, strawflower (Helichrysum).
Things To Ponder--Do a special container planting of red, white and blue flowers to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, April 1, 2010:

A freshly mown lawn can be so satisfying with its well-trimmed edges and sweet fragrance.

Tasks--Remove thatch and aerate warm-season lawns (Bermuda, zoysia, St. Augustine) to allow better water penetration.
Pruning--Azaleas and camellias as they finish blooming.
Fertilizing--Acid-loving plants, annuals.
Planting--Plant annual summer herbs and vegetables at two-week intervals for successive crops; from seed: floss flower (Ageratum), sunflower (Helianthus), impatiens; asparagus, beets, chard; acacia trees, horse chestnut trees (Aesculius), catalpa, trumpet vine (Campsis); alstroemeria, columbine (Aquilegia), false spriea (Astilbe), deer fern (Blechnum spicant), dianthus.
Things to Ponder--When choosing plants in cell packs from the nursery, be sure roots are not protruding from the bottom of the container.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, March 18, 2010:

Herbs thrive in the San Joaquin Valley because of our climate.

Tasks--Check drip systems, sprinklers and other irrigation systems for repair needs.
Pruning--For bulbs, deadhead spent blooms only. Leave foliage and stalk to wither naturally to provide nutrients for next year's flowers.
Fertilizing-- Fertilize stone fruit, pear, apple and nut trees and berries.
Planting--Plant Easter lilies in full sun in outdoor beds after blossoms fade. They will bloom next May or early June; plant from seed: impatiens, alyssum (Lobularia), petunia, snap beans, spinach, summer squash, sweet corn, watermelon, winter squash; fairy lily (Zephyranthes); coral bells (Huchera), maiden grass (Miscanthus), fountain grass (Pennisetum), sage (salvia), pincushion flower (Scabiosa); clematis, dogwood (Cornus), daphne, hop bush (dodonaea viscosa), gardenia.
Things to ponder--Give new plants ample water until root system is established.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, March 11, 2010:

Consider that it takes two large trees to provide enough oxygen for one person over the period of a year.

Tasks--Continue fruit-tree spraying and spray fungicide on apple and cherry trees.
Pruning--Prune spring-flowering shrubs, trees and vines after bloom to improve shape.
Fertilizing--Fertilize acid-loving plants.
Planting--Sow seeds for summer vegetables; impatiens, alyssum (Lovularia) from seed; tiger flower (Tigridia); from seed: diakon, eggplant, melon, pumpkin; Lenten rose (Helleorus orientalis), coral bells (Huchera), gayfeather (Liatris); wild lilac (Ceanothus), deodar (Cedrus deodara), redbud (Cercis occidentalis), citrus.
Things to Ponder--Protect tomatoes, peppers and eggplant from a late frost by using hot caps or floating row covers.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, March 4, 2010:
Make some shopping expeditions to your favorite nurseries. They will offer a vast array of bedding plants, trees and shrubs from which to make your selections.

Tasks--Plant cool- or warm-season grasses from seed or sod and aerate existing lawns.
Pruning--Finish deciduous pruning--chip debris for mulch.
Fertilizing--Fertilize camellias and azaleas that have finished blooming.
Planting--Add permanent plantings of non-deciduous and needle evergreens; fibrous begonia, twinspur (Diascia); autumn crocus; cabbage, lemon grass (Cymbopogon); Santa Barbara daisy (Erigeron karvinskianus), wallflower (Erysimum), blanket flower (Gaillardia); bird of paradise bush (Daesalpinia), beautyberry (Callicarpa) [see picture], bottlebush (Callistemon), camelia.
Things To Ponder--If an extremely dry year is forecast, limit new plantings. Consider converting to drip irrigation.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, February 25, 2010:

March is the time to put winter's planning into action as spring's planting.
Tasks--Remove thatch from cool-season grasses (bluegrass, tall fescue) if 1/2 inch growth has accumulated. Test by removing a plug from the lawn.
Pruning--Deadhead winter annuals to prolong bloom.
Fertilizing--Fertilize plants that are actively growing.
Planting--Plant annuals for spring and summer color. When setting out transplants, hold them by the root ball. Plant from seed: floss flower (Ageratum), bachelor's button (Centaurea), cosmos; canna tubers; from seed: beets, bell pepper, carrots, chives; columbine (Aquilegia), artemisia, aster, butterfly bush (Buddela davidii); acer Japanese maple, abeila, manzanita (Arctostaphylos), azalea.
Things to Ponder--Wait until the danger of frost has passed to set out frost-tender plants.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, February 18, 2010:

Try grafting new fruit tree varieties onto your existing trees. Fruit of the same species are easily grafted together--peach onto peach, plum onto plum.

Tasks: Irrigate citrus and almonds if frost is expected.
Pruning: Prune hydrangeas. Remove a third of the old wood for maximum bloom.
Fertilizing: Fertilize deciduous trees. They need feeding two to three weeks before bloom.
Planting: Make certain a plant's basic sun and shade needs are considered before planting; coral bells (Heuchera); calla (Zantedeschia); potatoes, rhubarb; phlox dremmondii from seed; sweet gum tree (Liquidambar), Chinese pistache tree (Pistacia chinensis), Chinese tallow tree (Sapium sebiferum).
Things To Ponder: When forsythia begins to bloom, apply pre-emergent herbicide to your lawn to prevent crabgrass.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, January 4, 2010:

Ornamental and fruit-bearing trees will bloom this month in backyards and along the eastern side of Fresno County's Blossom Trail.

Tasks--Thoroughly water trees and shrubs if rainfall is light.
Pruning--Wait to prune spring-flowering shrubs until after they bloom.
Fertilizing--Fertilize citrus late in the month.
Planting--Plant annuals and perennials for spring bloom, spring vegetables and summer blooming bulbs; lenten rose (Helleborus orientalls); Asiatic lilies; green onion sets, leeks, lettuce; from seed: statice (Limonium sinuatum); maiden hair trees (Ginkgo biloba), golden tree (Koelreuteria).
Things to Ponder--Sharp tools make cleaner cuts. Clean and maintain pruning equipment.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, January 28, 2010:

Nurseries will have plants in bloom now so you can find the colors you really want before you plant them.

Tasks: Feed cool-weather lawns late in the month.
Pruning: Cut back scented geraniums to 18 inches.
Fertilizing: Fertilize spring-flowering shrubs.
Planting: Group plants with similar water needs together; dianthus, gladiolus; from seeds: beets, carrots, eggplant, peas, lobella, sweet alyssum (Lobularia); cotoneaster, raywood ash (Fraxinus angustifolia).
Things to Ponder: Leave frost-damaged growth on tender plants as protection until the danger of frost is past. Begin pruning as new growth emerges.

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Planting by the Stars

Saturday: Cancer–#1 planting root crops, above ground crops, and transplants.
Sunday-Monday: Leo–not good for planting or transplanting; good to weed, make seed beds; good to prune.

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, January 7, 2010:

Follow through on your New Year's resolutions for the garden.

Tasks--Spray apricots and walnuts with horticultural oil and fixed copper.
Pruning--Cut back and divide perennials.
Fertilizing--Fertilize roses this month or next.
Planting--gladiolus, Oriental hybrid (Lilium); onion sets, parsley, radish; Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule), primrose (Primula malacoides); roses (Rosa), bridal wreath spiraea (Spiraea prunifolia).
Things to Ponder--This is a good time to divide African violets for early spring bloom.

[I'm not out in the garden today--I may be coming down with a cold, it is damp and chilly outside, and so I am staying in trying to head off any illness].

Garden Checklist

From The Fresno Bee, December 30, 2009:

Walk through the garden and make notes for spring and summer changes and additions.

Tasks--Deep-water trees and native plants if rainfall has been light.
Pruning--Wait to prune spring flowering plants until after bloom--Chinese magnolias, azaleas and camellias.
Fertilizing--Perennials, annuals, emerging bulbs.
Planting--In addition to being easy to handle, a plant started now while it is dormant will have the full advantage of the spring growing season and will be well established this year; cyclamen, dahlia; bare root (cane berries), garlic, leek; larkspur (Consolida ambigua), stock (Matthiola), forget-me-not (Mytosotis sylvatica); daphne, forsythia, razzleberri (Loropetalum).
Things to Ponder--Shop now for camellias and early-blooming azaleas. Remove fallen camellia blooms promptly to prevent petal blight on next year's flowers.