July Tips & Events for Santa Clara County |
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"At night, you will be able to hear the ground quake as more and more zucchinis erupt." ~Dave Barry
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What’s happening under a tree can have a big impact on its success. Having a tree surrounded by a lawn is never ideal, mostly because of different watering needs. Grass needs frequent shallow watering, perhaps two or three times per week, while trees need infrequent deep watering, perhaps once a month. A tree with grass near its trunk can be injured by lawn mowers and weed trimmers, which then makes it easier for insects or diseases to enter the tree. Water from sprinklers can also damage the bark. Mulch under the canopy helps conserve moisture and reduce weed germination. Possible mulch materials are wood chips spread four to six inches thick or fallen leaves from a disease-free tree. Neither mulch, flowers, nor bushes should be close to the trunk because they can hold moisture against the trunk and cause crown rot, resulting in slow death of the tree.
Photo: Mower blight, by Purdue Extension
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Vegetable Garden Check-In |
This is a good time in the season to evaluate your vegetable garden to see what’s producing well, what you can improve, and what to give up on and chalk up to experience. Take notes! If a plant is barely growing, could it benefit from a shot of fertilizer or some extra water? Might you have planted it out too early in a cooler-than-usual spring when both daytime and nighttime temperatures were still too cool? If it’s not getting six to eight hours of sun per day, can you move it to another spot or put reflective material nearby to give extra sunlight? Did you use a new soil that perhaps had a different blend of materials? Is part of it being eaten or affected by disease? Observe closely, including on the underside of leaves and at night. Harvest regularly and promptly. And remember the old gardening adage, “There’s always next year.”
Photo: Zucchini, picked young and tender, by Laura Monczynski
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Keeping the garden clean can help keep it healthy. Dead and decaying plant material can attract pests. Insect pests damage plants directly by eating material or sucking out juices and nutrients, and they also spread diseases between plants as they move around. Weeds compete with desirable plants for water and nutrients and even sunlight, so remove them promptly. Older leaves of some plants, like squash vines, may naturally turn yellow and die. Removing them early allows the plants’ energy to go into the actively growing parts. Pick up fallen fruit that can attract rodents and can also return disease pathogens to the soil and plant. Prune dying tree branches before they can fall and do damage. Some flowering plants will produce more flowers if you remove spent blooms, a process called deadheading. If you have a compost bin, you may find yourself particularly motivated to remove plant material so that you can add it to the compost and eventually return it to the garden to grow more healthy plants. |
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Photo: Fruit mummy with brown rot sporulation, by William W. Coates, UC
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Irrigation Efficiency
Water restrictions are being put into place all over the state due to the current drought. With over half of urban water used in landscapes, it is essential to make sure your irrigation system is efficient. Since overwatering is very common, consider reducing irrigation times. Also adjust systems on timers monthly as the weather changes. A smart controller can make the needed adjustments after initial programming with plant, location, and other relevant information. Our Santa Clara County clay soil absorbs water slowly, so only water for a few minutes at a time to avoid runoff. Then repeat until the water penetrates to the depth of the roots. Inspect drip and sprinkler systems regularly to make sure there are no leaks. Periodically run the system while you’re present to make sure it is watering the plants and not the sidewalk. If you run a hose to a plant, set a kitchen or cell phone timer so you don’t forget that the water is running. Check the soil for moisture to know if water is needed. Look into water-saving rebate programs through Valley Water or your local provider. Except for food production, the goal this summer is for your valuable plants to survive rather than thrive. Please do not overwater or otherwise waste this precious resource.
Photo: Drip irrigation in a raised bed, by Allen Buchinski
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Agave
This succulent is a good drought-resistant plant. It comes in many sizes, colors, and degrees of sharpness. Choose planting locations that will reduce injury to people, i.e., not along a sidewalk. Smaller varieties make good container plants. Agaves need soil that drains well, but it does not have to be nutrient-rich. As with all plants, they need a little more water when starting out and putting down roots. The drought resistant quality will be an important factor once they are established. They don’t do well in consistently wet soil, so they need to dry out a bit between waterings. Most thrive in full sun. They propagate by growing “pups” which are baby plants attached to the side of the mother plant. Each pup can be wiggled away from the mother and put in its own pot to develop its own root system and grow larger.
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Photo: Agave 'Blue Glow', by Allen Buchinski
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Make Every Drop Count, Saturday, July 3, 10–11 am, Palo Alto Demonstration Garden, 851 Center Dr, Palo Alto
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Check our calendar for the latest schedule of events. Videos of many past presentations are also available.
Photo: Hummingbird feeding on Salvia flowers
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University of California Master Gardener volunteers promote sustainable gardening practices and provide research-based horticultural information to home gardeners. Visit our website for more information including:
Have a gardening question? Contact our Help Desk (for Santa Clara County residents). Start by reviewing our plant problem diagnosis tips and then:
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