Summer Planting in Southern California
It’s never too late for planting annuals in containers. On the other hand, tropical and subtropical plants such as palms, bromeliads, mangos and other tropical trees need to be planted early in the summer at the very latest.
To keep roots shaded and to help hold more water, allow grass to grow a little taller than normal. This is especially important during temperatures of 90 degrees or higher. Maintaining your garden might be the most difficult task for any gardener during dry spells.
Fruit trees need to be supported with rods to prevent them from leaning towards one side and eventually breaking. Trees that bear heavy fruits such as apples and peaches are more susceptible to this. This is a good time to run your sprinklers and check for any leaks. Run the sprinklers on low and walk around your yard to make sure that all of your plants are in direct contact with the water. If a sprinkler is making strange gurgling noises it might need to be cleaned or replaced. If this check-up isn’t performed well, some plants might not receive the proper moisture that they need.
Early summer or late spring is also an excellent time to clear out some weeds or brush. The spring months are California’s rainy season which can last sporadically for 3 weeks. After about a month, your yard will be filled with new weeds and insects. Unattended slopes are susceptible to out of control growth. This will attract the attention of your local fire department. So take care of weeds that can grow out of control.
For your bigger trees, you’ll want to water at least once a month with a deep treatment. For shrubs, water more frequently and for smaller plants, daily watering might be needed.
So what are the best plants to start during the summer?
Start planting biennials. Biennials will germinate and show roots during their first time out, but usually won’t show any color until the next year. If you’re planning to have them bloom for the upcoming spring season, you’ll want to start planting late spring.
Most homes in Southern California are fire prone. Careful planning needs to be a priority. Cut your grass to about 3.5 inches in length and get rid of any dead, dried or dying trees and shrubs that are anywhere in the vicinity of your home. Saw off any overhanging dead branches and twigs and give everything else a quick trim.
June is a time when gloomy skies rule the month. This “June Gloom” can bring on conditions such as fungus. You’ll want to take care of this by hosing off the spores. A trick here is to hose them off in the morning so the sun can dry them out by the afternoon.
Early summer is my favorite time to do any type of gardening. The rain from the weeks before help clear up the air and brightens up the hills and surrounding landscapes with new colors. The ground is soft and the birds are out. A beautiful combination that cannot be matched anywhere on this planet.
