Garden Tasks Through Year - Notes

1/6/2013

Out of the Wilds and Into Your Garden
Through the Year
Garden Tasks – And Pleasures –
Through the Year

C.M. Vadheim and T. Drake
CSUDH & Madrona Marsh Preserve

Madrona Marsh Preserve
Gardening with Western L.A. County Native Plants
January 7 & 10, 2012
Project SOUND – 2012 (our 8th year)
© Project SOUND © Project SOUND

Gardening in S. CA IS different What makes us so unique?
 Latitude & coastal position –
mediterranean climate
 Mild rainy winter/spring
 Moderately hot, dry
summer/fall
 Year-to-year variability

 Extreme elevation changes
 Foothills and mountains have
very different climate than
our local ‘lowlands’

 Soils – our lowland soils are
mostly sedimentary
(ocean/river deposited)


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1/6/2013

Sunset Zone 24  Where hills/cliffs/palisades are
low/nonexistent, it runs inland
Coastal Marine Zone several miles.
 Soils tend to be sandy to sandy-clay
 Climate zone is almost completely
dominated by the ocean – a mild,
marine climate.
 Winters are mild, summers cool, and the
air seldom really dry.
 On many days in spring and early summer,
the sun doesn’t break through the high
overcast until afternoon.
 Record heat usually comes in early
October, carried to the coast by
Santa Ana winds. The wind’s power
You likely live in Sunset Zone and dryness usually causes more
22, 23 or 24 problems than the heat itself.
http://www.sunset.com/garden/climate-zones/sunset-climate-zone-
los-angeles-area-00418000067298/

 Some plants bloom all year long
This is a wonderful
http://www.sunset.com/garden/climate-zones/sunset-climate-zone-los-angeles-area-00418000067298/ Zone for gardening!

Sunset Zone 23 Sunset Zone 22  Cold-winter portions of S. CA
 Mostly influence by oceans but
coastal climate
Coast Thermal Belt sometimes influenced by inland heat
Cold-winter Coastal
 Is a coastal climate - influenced by
 Frosts don’t amount to much – 85%
the ocean approximately 85% of
percent of the time, Pacific Ocean
the time).
weather dominates; interior air rules
only 15% percent of the time. A  Average summer temperatures
notorious portion of this 15 percent warmer than Zone 24
consists of those days when hot, dry
Santa Ana winds blow.  When temperatures drop in winter,
these cold-air basins have lower
 Lacks either the summer heat or the winter temperatures than those in
winter cold necessary to grow pears, neighboring Zone 23.
most apples, and most peaches. But
it enjoys considerably more heat  No pronounced chilling period –
than Zone 24 limits growth of plants from local

mountains that need a cold dormant
 Temperatures are mild, but severe

period
This is a wonderful winters descend at times. This is a wonderful
Zone for gardening! © Project SOUND
Zone for gardening! © Project SOUND

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One key to wise gardening: becoming
Several good general books specific to
more aware of your climate
our area (L.A. county)
 Read the weather forecasts like a
hawk – they are a good clue to
things you’ll need to do or not do

 Set out a rain gauge and chart
precipitation

 Indoor-outdoor thermometer/
humidity meter

 Chart soil moisture from Apr-
Oct.

 Become more aware of wind: daily
patterns; direction; monthly
patterns; ‘unusual’ events
http://www.californiagardens.com/Essays/garden_calendar_archive.htm

Let’s assume you have a blended garden with You have some common CA
CA native plants & traditional veggies/fruits native plants in your garden

Elegant Clarkia

Golden Stars

Blue Elderberry
CA Encelia

http://ana-white.com/2010/05/hack-natural-rustic-cedar-
raised-beds.html

‘Yankee Point’ Ceanothus
Purple Sage
http://www.huntingtonbeachca.gov/hbwater/landscape-gardening/water-wise-landscaping.cfm © Project SOUND St. Catherine’s Lace © Project SOUND

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1/6/2013

We’ll begin our tour of the gardening year in July July: End of spring
 Why? - it’s a time of
endings & beginnings
 The spring bloom season is at
it’s end

 The warm weather really
starts in – true beginning of
the dry season

 It’s a good time to evaluate
what worked – or didn’t – and
plan for the next season

 Summer vegetables and
fruits start to ripen
http://annystudio.com/calendars/ © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

July Weather & Climate July: some plants beginning to dry out

 At a glance: hotter than June and less fog. Nights are warm.
CSS & Chaparral plants transition to summer mode.
 Temperature:
 mean high = 74/77 ; mean low = 64/62
 Record high = 97/102 ; record low = 52/42
 Precipitation:
 Average: 0.03/0.05”
 Winds: usually not important; may have ocean breezes, fog

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1/6/2013

Transition from spring to summer blooms The summer vegetable plants are maturing

http://www.glenns-garden.com/vegetable-garden-is-growing-well-going-into-july/

© Project SOUND http://socalgarden.blogspot.com/2009/06/harvesting-cherry-tomatoes.html
© Project SOUND

 Watering: summer mode
July: General Tasks July: General Tasks  Check soils weekly – water as
needed, during cool periods
 Planning/Preparation: (early/late in day)
 Take assessment of your garden: what  Monitor young plants (at least
needs improvement weekly – more in hot periods):
 Start a garden journal & photo log – or  1st summer: 1 full Zone above final
http://farmerfredrant.blogspot.com/2011/01/loosen-bare-root-plant-labels.html
get yours organized Zone;
 Get a new inspirational book; or search  2nd summer: ½ Zone above
the web, go to the library  Plants from N. Coast need more
 Great time to create a garden design water & spray ‘fog’ beginning in July
 Order native seeds & bulbs (right now);  Weeds, Diseases & Pests:
order seeds of cool season vegetables  Summer weeds: bindweed, mustard,
wild lettuce, prickly ox-tongue, sow
 Hardscape/General:
thistle, others
 Make repairs/changes that weren’t
 Get them out while they are small
possible in spring

http://federaltwist.blogspot.com/2010/08/garden-diary-linear-motif.html

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1/6/2013

July: Planting & Pruning July: Enjoying the Garden
 Edibles/crafts:
 Planting:
 Harvest leaves, berries, strawberries for tea;
 Not too late to plant bean, corn,
cucumber and summer squash from  Take cuttings of mints for seasonings, vinegars
seed.  Harvest conventional fruits as they become
ripe – eat, freeze/can or make into jam/jelly
 Pruning:
 Prune Manzanitas in warm dry  Enjoying the garden:
weather;  Enjoy butterflies;
 Dead-head Salvia and Penstemon  take the butterfly class & participate in
butterfly counts
flower stalks as they finish up, unless
you’re collecting the seed. When your  Certify your garden - NABA
sages have finished their bloom, you  Certify your garden as a wildlife habitat garden
can cut them back by a third – or (Nat. Wildlife Foundation)
wait until fall.  Sit in the shade; enjoy the fruits of your
 Mow your alternative lawn labors; drink some nice mint tea
 Mother Nature’s advice:
 Work early or late; don’t stress


August: lazy days of summer August Weather & Climate

 At a glance: warm, dry & pleasant; warm nights ripen
summer fruits/veggies; dry soils
 Temperature:
 Precipitation:
 Average: 0.05/0.02”
 Winds: usually not a particular problem


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1/6/2013

August: watering needed in most gardens August: Buckwheats & silver against a
background of evergreen shrubs


August: summer harvest time continues in earnest Guide to S. CA Vegetable Crops
Warm-season Vegetables Cool-season Vegetables
 Plant:
 Plant:  From seed: Aug-Oct in shaded
 From seed: Mar-May; depends pots; Sep-Oct in ground
on how cold the spring is  From starts: Oct-Dec
 From starts: Apr-June (even
July for late crops)  Ripen:
http://www.fotothing.com/fhelsing/photo/2dd1f769d56af992e754b5f85ee69814/
 Early crops: Oct-Nov
 Ripen:
Warm-season veggies ripen  Late crops: Dec-Feb
in summer (or fall) http://socalgarden.blogspot.com/2010_10_01_archive.html  Early crops: June-July (Aug)
Late crops: Aug-Sept  Examples:
 Tomatoes  Squash (summer)  Early crops: broccoli, brussels
 Examples:
 Peppers  Squash (‘winter’) sprouts, cauliflower, kale,
 Early crops: beans, cucumbers, kohlrabi, mustard, lettuce and
 Beans (all kinds)  Cucumber summer squash, tomatoes, other greens
 Eggplant  Melons  Late crops: corn, melons,  Late crops: peas, cabbage,
 Corn winter squash celery,

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1/6/2013

Some veggies can be planted almost any August: General Tasks
time – or serially for long season  Planning/Preparation:
 Decide on cool season veggies – enjoy
browsing the catalogs
 Beets
 Order seeds & bulbs;
 Carrots
 Clean seeds collected from garden
 Green beans  Look for a new container or garden
 Radishes sculpture
 Swiss chard  Tidy up your potting bench
 Sit in the shade and think about Water
Zones/conservation;
http://www.vegetable-garden-guide.com/growing-carrots.html  Plan to increase shady areas for
outdoor activities
http://berkeleyheritage.com/gallery/1000_oaks_tour2007.8.html

http://tinyfarmblog.com/first-carrots-plus-beets/ © Project SOUND © Project SOUND

August: General Tasks  Hardscape:
 Apply/re-apply gravel mulch to
wildflower & bulb areas – will help
them to look less bare

 Repair/install hardscape; work in
cool times of day

 Build raised beds or potting area
before Sept. heats up http://pcnatthegreenshow.wordpress.com/2010/04/18/california-spring-trials-day-3-along-the-central-coast/
http://efnep.ucdavis.edu/?blogpost=4501&blogasset=17351

http://www.mastergardeners.org/projects/gilroy.html

http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16684008.tip.html
http://www.penick.net/digging/?p=14254 © Project SOUND http://www.gardenstogro.com/raised-garden-hinged-fencing.php © Project SOUND

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1/6/2013

August: General Tasks August: a little propagation & planting
 Watering:  Propagation:
 Taper off water to native plants  Sow seeds of cool-season
except Zone 3 & Chaparral and Sonoran vegetables in containers –
Desert plants – give them a good semi-shade.
‘monsoon’;
 Start warm-season grasses
from seed in containers –
http://www.thriftyfun.com/tf16684008.tip.html
 Weeds, Diseases & Pests: semi-shade
 Most summer weeds are winding down –
particularly in drier areas; still a  Planting:
challenge in vegetable garden  Plant radishes, carrots, beets
directly into the garden.
 Look for signs of fungal disease; prune
out diseased branches


August: Pruning &  Pruning: summer pruning month
 Prune for safety & plant health Enjoying the August Garden
Mowing  Hedge-shear if needed
 Pruning to thin: prune after late  Edibles/Crafts:
spring/summer flowering  Pick elderberries, other ripe fruits; use or
 Carpenteria californica dry/freeze
 Heteromeles arbutifolia  Pick, use or dry/freeze summer veggies
 Keckiella cordifolia
 Philadelphus lewisii  Enjoying the garden:
 Prunus ilicifolia  Enjoy the shade; cool dry garden shade is
 Salvia spp. (prune now or in Oct/Nov) delightful
 Desert Legumes: Chilopsis;  Search for a new container or garden
http://cngf.org/gardens/meadow.htm

 Mow (if desired) sod grasses, sedges sculpture
 Coppice (severe prune) to rejuvenate old  Eat corn on the cob, melons from your garden
plants (after bloom)  Make elderberry jelly/syrup or dry berries
 Comarostaphylis diversifolia for tea
 * Cornus spp.
 Heteromeles arbutifolia  Mother Nature’s advice: prepare now for a
 * Philadelphus lewisii busy fall – August is often cooler than Sept.
 Ribes viburnifolium
 Rosa spp. © Project SOUND © Project SOUND
http://www.csupomona.edu/~panorama/summer2009/focus.html

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1/6/2013

September Weather & Climate
Scorching September

 At a glance: transition into fall. Nights may begin to cool off,
but days are still warm. Not uncommon to have extremely hot
weather and Santa Ana winds. Very dry – low humidity!
 Temperature:
 Precipitation:
 Average: 0.21/0.16”
 Winds: hot, dry Santa Ana winds common.

September: General
Summer veggies – end of game
Tasks
 Planning/Preparation:
 Sort/clean/store seeds collected in
spring/summer
 Explore the CA Garden Web -
http://cagardenweb.ucdavis.edu/

 Repair/install hardscape (work in the
cool)
 Install/repair/clean rain catchment
facilities: gutters, sprinklers, rain
barrels, french drain, rain garden
hardscape, etc.
http://www.californiagrange.org/news/garden_grow.html
 Prepare veg. garden for winter veggies;
remove spent plants, fertilize, mulch
 Start a compost bin/pile for your
cuttings
http://cagardenweb.ucdavis.edu/?repository=10369 © Project SOUND http://sbthp.wordpress.com/2011/09/21/it-takes-a-village-to-tend-the-presidio/ © Project SOUND
http://www.slowfamilyonline.com/tag/victory-gardens/

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1/6/2013

September: General  Watering: major watering month
Propagation & planting
for Zone 2-3 & 3
Tasks  Taper off all but Zone 2-3 & 3; keep  Propagation from seed: give
vegetable gardens, containers, other seedlings part-shade and keep well-
Zone 3 plants watered – particularly watered
if Santa Anna winds are predicted
 Start chilling seeds that need long
 Weeds, Diseases & Pests: (2-3+ month) pre-plant
 Grasshoppers and gophers may be stratification;
getting desperate  First chance to start cool-season
 Pruning: plants:
 Sharpen/repair planting & pruning  Cool-season grass plugs
tools after summer pruning tasks; Cool season veggie crops in nursery
http://agrilife.org/etg/2011/02/18/mid-february-marks-rose-pruning-season/

consider buying new/better tools if containers; broccoli, cabbage,
appropriate cauliflower, celery, kale, kohlrabi,
lettuce, other greens
 Rake out cool-season grasses; mow
or cut back if needed;  Plant out:
 Cool-season vegetables from
 Prune to thin: Adenostoma spp.
starts/pony packs; keep well-watered –
daily water in early morning or evening.
 Divide native bulbs/corms; store or
replant
http://www.californiagreekgirl.com/?p=92
http://tmousecmouse.blogspot.com/2011_11_01_archive.html

Enjoying the September Garden
 Edibles/crafts:
 Pick ripe winter squash, tomatoes,
peppers; enjoy a new recipe
 Pick fresh sweet corn near coast
 Enjoying the garden:
 Fall sunflowers are blooming: watch
to see what birds, butterflies and
insects visit them
http://blog.jannelsonlandscapedesign.com/?cat=43&paged=2
 Enjoy the scent of Bricklebush in late
afternoon;
 Purchase a birdbath or fountain (on
sale now) to provide a drink for birds

 Mother Nature’s advice: fall-blooming
natives are important for attracting
pollinators & other beneficial insects.
Your vegetable garden will benefit. October: subtle hues and lots to do

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1/6/2013

October Weather & Climate
October: the garden looks like it needs some help

 At a glance: feels more like summer than fall. Hot, dry Santa Ana
winds suck the moisture out of everything. Yet we may also get our
first real rains. Clearly a transitional month.
 Temperature:
 Precipitation:
 Average: 0.56/0.62”
 Winds: May be the most windy month of the year
 Other: May be smoggy

October: subtle fall palette – like a painting October also signals transition time in the
vegetable garden

http://connect.sierraclub.org/post/ClimateCrossroadsBlog/categories/8E12E318-7AB3-41FD-8FCA-93FD9B8304FA.html


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1/6/2013

October: lots of preparation October: time for some planting
 Planning/Preparation:  Propagation:
 Purchase plants from native plant  From seed: cool-season grass plugs;
nurseries/sales; place in semi-shade annual wildflowers, bulb seeds in
and water regularly until planted out. nursery containers; winter veggie crops.
Keep them well-watered.
 Consider adding some decorative and
educational signs to your garden;  Start chilling seeds w/ shorter (1-2
explore your options – purchase/ month) pre-plant stratification period;
create, then install after pruning check for roots every 2 weeks – plant
http://nadiaknows.com/tag/southern-california-planting-guide/ in nursery containers when first roots
http://www.calvin.edu/news/archive/a-perennial-the-native-plant-
sale  Hardscape/General: emerge
 Finish installing any hardscape: fences,  Take semi-soft wood cuttings of
paths, patios ceanothus, manzanita for propagation
 Re-apply mulch after pruning
 Planting:
 Plant out cool-season vegetables from
starts/pony-packs or from seed

© Project SOUND http://connect.sierraclub.org/post/ClimateCrossroadsBlog/categories/8E12E318-7AB3-41FD-8FCA- © Project SOUND
93FD9B8304FA.html

Watering: prepare for the rainy season – but water like October: time for fall pruning??
summer if needed
 Pruning: major pruning month,
 Watch weather forecast like a hawk!!! particularly for Water Zone 1 and
Zone 1-2 plants
 Taper off watering all but Zone 2-3 & 3
 Prune to shape/thin:
plants. Keep Zone 3 plants watered –
 Ribes spp. - Be sure to prune Ribes
particularly if Santa Anna winds are
now, as they can bloom very early
predicted
 Most summer-dry shrubs & sub-
 Once rains saturate the soil you can shrubs/perennials (particularly
turn off your irrigation system (if you Coastal Sage Scrub and Coastal
have one); check soils periodically Shrubland species)
during hot, windy, dry weather and The trick is to prune before  Hedge-shear – now through Dec.
water as needed the rainy season but not best time for mature plants
during hot, dry periods – to  Divide native bulbs/corms; store or
 Install/repair/clean rainwater minimize stress on the replant (better)
collection/infiltration system (if not plant
 Remove old leaves, dead stems, tidy
done in Sept.)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rain_gauge

up perennials, groundcovers and
Set out/clean rain gauge ornamental grasses

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1/6/2013

 Edibles/crafts:
The pleasures of fall  Dry aromatic prunings for Nice (or Naughty) November
seasoning/tea/potpourri
begin  Save artistic-looking materials for
fall/winter decorations, flower
arrangements, etc.
 Dye some yarn with prunings; or dry
the dye-stuff for later
 Carve a pumpkin – or make a pie
 Enjoying the garden:
 Go to the native plant sales; see what’s
new, ask questions
 Visit a new-to-you native plant garden;
take your camera and notebook to jot
down ideas.
 Enjoy the play of tans, browns and
grays – a subtle sophisticated color
palette

 Mother Nature’s advice: don’t fight the
weather – work with it.

November Weather & Climate The garden looks a little bare

 At a glance: return of the rainy season (if we’re lucky). Days
are shorter and cooler; good time to work in the garden.
 Temperature:
 Precipitation: An average of 10% of our rain falls in November.
 Average: 1.11/1.19”
 Winds: usually less chance of Santa Anas; may be blustery
winter storms

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1/6/2013

Cool-season veggies are taking off Tidying up this
 Planning:
month  Purchase plants at native plant
nurseries/sales; place in semi-shade
and water until planted out.

 Renew mulch after pruning – so much
easier!
 Complete your clean-up of summer
blooming perennials and shrubs

 Watering: usually into winter mode
http://a1mowing.com/shrub.htm

 Once rains saturate the soil you can
turn off your irrigation system (if
you have one); check soils periodically
during hot, windy, dry weather and
water as needed
 Water garden well if soils become
dry or if no rain for 3 weeks or
http://www.amillionlives.net/vegetable-gardening-tips-easy-ideas-for-great-produces.html longer
http://www.ucrealty.com/blog/F036CE3C-0903-4FFC-BA58-0510C054C0F3

Planting if Mother  Propagation: major propagation month Major pruning month
 From seed: cool-season grass plugs;
nature cooperates annual wildflowers in containers; shrub
& tree seeds w/ short/no pre-chill req.  Finish pruning summer-dry
 Check seeds stratifying in refrigerator; shrubs in dry, warm periods
plant in nursery pots when you start (check forecast)
seeing tiny roots emerge
 Prune to shape/train:
 From cuttings: semi-soft wood cuttings
of ceanothus, Manzanita; hardwood  Most native trees and woody
cuttings from vines, grapes shrubs, vines
 Planting:  Prune to thin:
http://www.cruciferousvegetables.net/category/cruciferous-vegetable-garden/  Last chance: replant native bulbs/corms  Baccharis spp
 Plant out herbaceous groundcover plants  Berberis spp
– keep watered if needed
 Ceanothus spp.
 Plant rain garden plants; keep watered
 Cercocarpus spp.
 Plant out cool-season vegetables from
starts or pony-packs: peas, mustard,  Hedge-shear – good time
spinach, lettuce and other greens
 Evaluate/repot container plants as
needed

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1/6/2013

 Prune back groundcover perennials/sub-shrubs: Enjoy the cooler  Edibles/Crafts:
 Diplacus/Mimulus spp
 Collect and dry rose-hips for
 Eriogonum spp. days of late fall tea
 Mint family: Monardella spp., Salvia spathacea, Stachys
spp.  Make holiday gifts with
 Groundcover sunflowers: Symphyotrichum/Aster spp., aromatics – potpourri, flavored
Achillea millefolium, Artemisia douglasiana, Grindelia vinegars
spp., Solidago spp.,  Make jam, jelly or syrup from
 Romneya coulteri frozen fruits
 Aster chilense, goldenrod, Yarrow, Woodmints, CA  Dry cuttings for dye, seasonings
Fuschia
 Dye material & yarn
 Divide plants (when ground is soft after rains begin)
 Iris douglasii  Enjoying the garden:
 *Heuchera spp.  Learn more about fall bird
 Potentilla , Horkelia migration; there’s lots to learn
 Fern species (native) on the internet
 Fragaria spp. (wait until start to grow w/ fall rains) Mother Nature’s advice: cool
 Note when the first seed-eating
 Native cool-season grasses: Festuca, Nassella, Leymus, temperatures invigorate us; get
Calamagrostis, Melica, Carex tumulicola. Make sure each birds visit your spent sunflowers
out and get some serious & buckwheats ; set out bird
clump has a good root ball. Water well.
 Sisyrinchium spp. exercise! seed
 Native succulent plants & cacti

December: the garden often slumbers December Weather & Climate

 At a glance: cold and dark. Days are as short as they get and
nights are in the 40’s or cooler. Rain is expected – but may not
come in La Nina years (like this year).
 Temperature:
 Precipitation: usually a good rain month
 Average: 2.05/2.09”
 Winds: winter storms can bring strong winds from the west

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1/6/2013

December: growth is waiting Plants are starting to grow – but not yet
convinced to go all out!


 Planning: wait ’til next month – you’re
Meanwhile, out in the vegetable garden… Busy month – but not busy now!

in the garden  Hardscape/General:
 Check your hardscape after hard
rains; make repairs if needed
 Rake paths of fallen leaves;
compost or use as mulch if
appropriate
 Clear paths and hardscape areas of
unwanted seedlings – remove with
hoe, hula-hoe or trowel

 Watering: winter mode
 Check soils periodically during hot,
windy, dry weather and water as
needed
 Water garden well if soils become
dry or if no rain for > 3 weeks; you
http://blog.gardenerd.com/2009/12/16/malibu-vegetable-garden-delight.aspx
will have to be the rain
http://www.themanlyhousekeeper.com/2011/11/29/asphalt-garden-harvesting-my-radishes-and- http://wwwrockrose.blogspot.com/2010/04/bluebonnet-pull-out.html
other-garden-adventures/

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Garden Tasks Through Year - Notes

Garden Tasks Through Year - Notes

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Garden Tasks Through Year - Notes