July started off nice and cool after a petty warm June. There have been a few temperature spikes but overall it’s pretty nice. Get out and do planting and landscaping early and it’s nice and cool.
Many of our customers find they have the most time in the summer to do their planting. And planting in the summer is fine. Plant early in the day or in the evening if possible so it is easier on you. Plants will handle the transplant just fine but do make sure you give additional water for the first week or so after planting to make sure it is kept well hydrated. Water the new planting well and then water in with Superthrive mixed in water. This will eliminate any transplant shock that may occur. Then keep the plant moist but not soggy while it is getting it’s root system established. If you are using a timed drip system that runs for very short periods, you will need to supplement with a hose periodically. A slow trickle for an hour or two works well about once or twice a week along with the drip system. Also mulch well around your trees and shrubs to keep the moisture in the ground.
On the subject of watering whether newly planted or established plantings, when there is a spike in temperatures coming, be sure that the shrub or tree is well watered going into the temperature spike rather than witing till afterwards. Sometimes the stress on the plant will be too much if too dry. Signs of not enough water will include crisp edges of leaves, wilting in the heat and perhaps shedding some foliage soon after extreme heat. If you see any of these symptoms, you probably should increase the amount of water or mulch or perhaps a combination of the two. If you see any stress on your plants, treat them with Superthrive mixed with water. This product eliminates transplant shock and also revives plants under stress. We do all of our transplanting here at the nursery during the summer months and we use Superthrive on all of our transplants and cuttings that we do.
Crape myrtles are now in full bloom here and in landscapes. Although crape myrtle is a very drought tolerant plant, it will bloom much nicer with at least one good deep soak a week. Also spray for aphids if you see sticky shiny leaves. Use neem oil or an insecticide or insecticidal soap. Any of these are better sprayed in the evening so that there is no damage to the leaves from the heat of the day.
Vegetable gardens will benefit from a fertilizing about now. If you fertilized when you planted, it’s about time to give the garden another fertilizing and then again sometime in August to keep your plants healthy and productive. Use a vegetable fertilizer for this. avoid high nitrogen fertilizers as they will cause growth at the expense of production. Organic vegetable fertilizers work well becasue they feed slowly and there is less chance of burning the plants in warm weather. And mulch your garden too to hold the moisture in and use less water.
Watch for tomato worms. If you have them use BT or Monterey Garden Insect Spray to get rid of them. Both are organic controls.
Looks like the next week is going to fairly cool. only mid 90’s for highs. Nice weather for gardening.
Hope we see you soon.
Jeff
