San Diego gardens need a little extra attention during August’s warm, dry weather. Water wisely, give your houseplants some outdoor time, and discover free seeds and local gardening classes.
Give Your Houseplants Some Outdoor Time
Nan Sterman, a local landscape designer and host of the TV show A Growing Passion, recommends giving your houseplants “a summer vacation” by moving them outside to a shady spot or an area that gets only morning sun. She also recommends giving them a shower with the hose. Most houseplants benefit from spending time outdoors, and it can be especially helpful for plants with insect or disease problems. The hose helps wash away pests, while beneficial insects, better air circulation and a light breeze can also improve plant health.
Several of my houseplants had a fungus affecting their leaves. After moving them outside for a couple of weeks, they are already looking much better. Just remember to bring your houseplants back inside when the weather cools this fall.
Water Wisely This Summer
Make sure your plants and trees are getting adequate water this month. Water deeply, but not too often, to leach salts below the root zone.
Although succulents are generally low-water plants, many are active growers during the summer and still need weekly watering. This is especially true if they are planted in containers or rock gardens. If you notice leaves beginning to shrivel, water them right away. It’s best to water in the morning and keep water out of the rosettes of flat- and broad-leafed plants. Succulents in containers may also benefit from afternoon shade during August.
Although most plants need more water this time of year, stop watering artichokes and rhubarb so they can enter summer dormancy. California native plants also require special attention. They are adapted to dry summers, and too much summer water can lead to rot and fungal diseases. Newly planted natives benefit from supplemental summer water while they become established, but established plants and trees usually need only occasional deep watering. Avoid overhead irrigation, and move drip emitters or soaker hoses away from the base of the plant. I’ve killed multiple agastaches by not moving the water farther out as they matured.
For more information on care for California native plants, check out the San Diego chapter of the California Native Plant Society, Calscape, and the University of California’s multiple resources. Here’s their article, Summer Care for California Native Plants.
Get Free Seeds
Looking for free seeds? I recently learned from an article in The Coast News that the Georgina Cole Library in Carlsbad offers free seeds donated by seed companies, a local nursery and area gardeners.
The library also hosts monthly gardening classes presented by the San Diego Master Gardeners. Classes are typically held on Saturdays and rotate between the Georgina Cole Library and the Carlsbad City Library on Dove Lane.
If you’d like more information about the free seed program or upcoming gardening classes, read The Coast News article. It also includes contact information for the library.
San Diego Gardens Source
A lot of information for San Diego Gardens comes from the Master Gardener Association of San Diego County. They are a great resource for all of your gardening needs including planting, pests, vegetables and water use. They even have a free hotline where you can get answers to your home gardening and pest control problems.