September Garden Tasks
Planting new native and drought-tolerant plants in the fall, when air temperatures are cooling but while soils are still warm, gives their roots a good growth spurt before their first summer, saving water and adding to vigor during their 2-3 year establishment period.
Late September to
mid-November
starts the most important
planting season
of the year
in the Southwestern U.S.
~ Plant native and drought-tolerant plants from late-September to mid-November; warm soil helps new plants develop deep roots before summer, reducing water needs during their entire two- to three-year establishment. We traditionally recommended planting native and drought-tolerant plants from mid-September through October, but as high summer temperatures are now lasting longer into our “fall” months, we are now adjusting the ideal planting time for the southwest deserts later into what is considered “fall”. If we experience drying Santa Ana winds in September or October, it is best to delay planting until the “Santa Anas” subside (safely by early November), so new plantings do not have to endure those hot, drying winds when first planted.
~ Fall opportunity to transplant Joshua trees and yuccas from late September to October.
~ Reduce water to cactus and succulents to prepare them for winter rest and protect against frost damage.
~ Keep adding to mulches as they decompose to conserve water, keep soil and roots cool, and reduce the frequency of watering.
~ Walk irrigation lines to check for clogs, leaks, and breaks.
~ Continue deep-watering trees & shrubs once a month. If you water by hand, leave a dripping hose at the drip-line of trees and shrubs (at the outer edge of branches) to deeply soak soil once a month; set a timer to remind you to move hose to next plant.
~ Protect against wildfire as Santa Ana winds start; prune dead limbs, clean away brush, and clean leaves from gutters.
Check out our featured “Plant of The Month” for September
August Garden Tasks
Remove (“deadhead”) spent flower heads to achieve tidier plants, and to encourage a few last blooms before fall, as with this Cleveland Sage.
Good month to sit back and enjoy your garden—
there are few chores besides watering & grooming
~ Deadhead spent flowers, trim off dead flowering stems (save any seeds for replanting).
~ Walk irrigation lines to check for clogs, leaks, and breaks.
~ Continue deep-watering trees & shrubs once a month. If you water by hand, leave a dripping hose at the drip-line of trees and shrubs (at the outer edge of branches) to deeply soak soil once a month; set a timer to remind you to move hose to next plant.
~ Keep adding to mulches as they decompose to conserve water, keep soil and roots cool, and reduce the frequency of watering.
~ Encourage repeat blooming by pinching or cutting back annuals, perennials and shrubs.
Check out our featured “Plant of The Month” for August
July Garden Tasks
As temperatures climb, it becomes more important to check your irrigation emitters, valves, and lines for clogs, leaks, and breaks.
Smart water-wise practices pay off now:
Climate-adapted plants + mulch + deep watering =
less water use + happy plants + a beautiful yard!
~ Check irrigation emitters, valves, and lines for clogs, leaks, and breaks.
~ Flush out lines by removing end caps with your water system on; sand or deposits that build up in lines can clog emitters.
~ If you water by hand, leave a dripping hose at the drip-line of trees and shrubs (at the outer edge of branches) to deeply soak soil once a month; set a timer to remind you to move hose to next plant.
~ Keep adding to mulches as they decompose to conserve water, keep roots cool, and reduce the frequency of watering.
~ Encourage repeat blooming by pinching or cutting back dead flowers on annuals, perennials and shrubs
Check out our featured “Plant of The Month” for July
June Garden Tasks
An easy way to lift and move cactus during planting is to use micro-tubing for smaller plants or a section of old garden hose for larger cacti. You can also move larger cacti by laying plants over on an old rug or carpet and pulling into place.
Good season to plant or transplant palms or cacti
~ Prune fast-growing trees like mesquite, palo verde, and acacias to reduce chances of wind damage. Don’t remove more than 20 percent of a plant’s foliage at any one time to avoid stress or sunburn of trunk and branches.
~ Keep adding to mulches throughout the summer to conserve water, keep roots cool, and deter weeds. Water well before applying the mulch (or through an opening in the mulch), or you’ll insulate dry soil rather than moist soil.
~ Water your plants deeply enough to thoroughly soak the soil, but infrequently enough that the soil dries out between waterings. This encourages roots to grow deeper into cooler soil for better drought tolerance.
~ Continue to deadhead spent flowers for a longer bloom cycle.
Check out our featured “Plant of The Month” for June
May Garden Tasks
Due to warmer weather, it is best to water during the early morning and late evening hours to reduce evaporation.
Rising temperatures cause changes in plants…prepare for summer!
~ Change watering schedule from mid-day to early morning or evening as weather heats up to minimize loss through evaporation.
~ Maintain a good mulch of organic matter (such as leaves, bark, or chipped wood) covering garden soil throughout the summer to hold in moisture, moderate soil temperatures for optimum root growth, improve the soil as it decomposes, and prevent weeds from germinating. Mulch allows you to water less often (but still deeply). Keep mulch several inches away from tree trunks and plant stems for good air circulation.
~ Remove spent flowers from annuals, perennials, and shrubs—unless you want to collect seeds (such as from Penstemons); “deadheading” old flowers stimulates repeat blooming.
~ Work compost or soil amendments into planting beds to improve moisture retention as summer approaches.
~ Encourage your plants’ roots to grow deeply for moisture. In spring, for average soils, water established plants deeply only every two to three weeks. By the time summer’s heat arrives, plants’ feeder roots will be growing deeply for moisture, and the plants won’t need watering more than once a week during very hot spells.
Check out our featured “Plant of The Month” for May
April Garden Tasks
Color season is reaching its peak—spend time outside enjoying it!
Your garden plants will reach full glory this month in southwest gardens. Be sure to take time to stop and enjoy them.
~ Reset irrigation schedules and increase watering time as temperatures rise
~ Plant cold-tender perennials, preferably in pots so winter protection is easier
~ Transplant Joshua trees and yuccas from March to mid-April
~ Work compost or soil amendments into planting beds to improve moisture retention as summer approaches
~ Keep mulch on the soil–especially with organic matter such as leaves, bark, or chipped wood–to temper the drying and heating effect of the sun; irrigation will be more effective with less frequency and quantity
~ Teach your plants to grow deeply for moisture. In spring, for average soils, water established plants deeply only every two to three weeks. By the time summer’s heat arrives, plants’ feeder roots will be growing deeply for moisture, and the plants won’t need watering more than once a week during very hot spells.
~ Check aphids on new growth; wash off with a strong jet of water, or spray a solution of Neem Oil mixed with water on affected plants.
~ Continue pulling weeds before they form seed heads (if weeds are brown, you waited too long); you’ll have fewer weed problems later. Remember that weeds need disturbed soil to prosper; if you disturb soils with a hoe to remove weeds, you are cultivating the perfect bed for next year’s weeds. Instead, pull weeds by hand to minimize soil disturbance, or mow weeds before seeds form, then cover with mulch to prevent next year’s weed crop from forming. If you don’t have enough mulch to cover all your weeds, mow repeatedly during the spring growth season often enough to remove flowers before seeds develop. After just a season or two, you will greatly reduce or even eliminate the need for weeding.
