UC Master Gardeners of Riverside County

Desert Events & Updates

July 2023

Solarization

Soil solarization is a nonchemical method for controlling soilborne pests using high temperatures produced by capturing radiant energy from the sun. Solarization during the hot summer months can increase soil temperature to levels that kill many disease-causing organisms (pathogens), nematodes, and weed seeds and seedlings.

Soil solarization also speeds up the breakdown of organic material in the soil, often resulting in the added benefit of releasing soluble nutrients such as nitrogen (from nitrate and ammonium), calcium, magnesium, potassium, and fulvic acid, making them more available to plants.

Plants often grow faster, with higher and better-quality yields, when grown following soil solarization. This may be attributed to improved disease and weed control, increased availability of nutrients, and greater proportions of beneficial microorganisms. Learn More

July Gardening Tips

Maintenance

• Watering and pest control are top of the "To Do" list.
• Water after midnight and before 10am to reduce the chance of fungal infection and to conserve moisture.
• Pinch off the top pair of leaves on all chrysanthemum shoots longer than 5" to keep plants bushy and produce more flowers.
• Cut spent berry canes to the ground; tie up and fertilize new canes.
• Cut canna stems to the ground as they finish flowering; new stems will continue to appear.
• Prune fruit bushes again.
• Harvest vegetables promptly to encourage continued production.
• Dig and divide over-crowded irises and bulbs when the foliage dies off.
• Remove spent flowers of daylilies, roses, and other bloomers as they finish flowering.
• Fertilize roses.
• Cut back lavender after flowering to promote a second bloom.
• Trim faded crape myrtle flowers for more fall bloom.
• Pick up dropped fruit to prevent brown rot. Clean around trees.
• Spray off aphids with water or use insecticidal soap.
• Pull weeds when they first appear.

What to Plant in July 

Flowers: Direct seed annuals, such as alyssum, celosia, sunflower, zinnias, and marigolds.

Vegetables: At higher, cooler elevations, direct seed summer squash, bush beans, summer savory, and kohlrabi.

If fruit isn't setting on your melons and squash, use a soft brush to hand-pollinate the flowers and increase production. Use the brush to gather pollen from male flowers, then brush it onto the female flower. (Female flowers have a tiny embryo fruit at the base of their petals.)

How do I avoid mosquito bites?

• Ensure doors and windows have screens and any holes or openings are repaired.
• Avoid being outdoors at times of the day when mosquito activity is high in your area. Some mosquito species are active at dawn and dusk, others throughout the day.
• Wear long-sleeved shirts, long trousers, socks, and a hat if you must be outside when mosquitoes are present.
• Use insect repellents containing DEET or picaridin. Oil of lemon eucalyptus is another effective repellent that is derived from natural materials. There are many other products containing other active ingredients that may be less effective and must be reapplied frequently. Check the U.S. EPA website and always follow label directions.
• Outdoor insecticide sprays and other repellent devices vary widely in effectiveness and can temporarily reduce the number of adult mosquitoes but have no lasting effect.
• Citronella candles and mosquito coils burned outdoors work best if there is little air movement. Learn More

UC Master Gardeners are available and hope to see you at these Certified Farmers Markets:

PALM SPRINGS 

Saturdays, July 8 & 22 - 8am - 1:00 pm

Palm Springs Pavilion - 401 S Pavilion Way, Palm Springs, CA, 92264

Riverside Downtown

Saturday, July 8, from 8:00 am to 1:30 pm, Main Street between 5th & 6th

Advice to Grow by…Ask Us!

Have a Gardening Question...Ask our UC Master Gardener of Riverside County Helpline!

Please include as much detail as possible along with any relevant photos that illustrate your problem/question.

This service is free of charge and is provided year-round by UC Master Gardener of Riverside County Volunteers.

Email your question(s) to:

Desert Area: anrmgindio@ucanr.edu

West County: anrmgriverside@ucanr.edu 

Visit RCRCD, Riverside-Corona Research Conservation District, Building F, at 4500 Glenwood Drive, Riverside, for an Educator Certification Workshop on Saturday, July 8, 2023, from 9am - 3:30pm.

Lavender Festival - NEW HOURS IN 2023!

Escape the heat and enjoy the lavender fields at sunset! Over 100,000 lights illuminate the farm at night. Open select days.10600 Highland Springs Ave, Cherry Valley, 92223 CA May 5 - July 23, 2023 5pm - 10pm Lavender Festival

Heat-related illnesses are preventable. Learn the symptoms and what to do if you or a loved one shows signs of having a heat-related illness.