Calendar of monthly tasks (July) for Southern California gardeners

1. July in the Southern California Garden
Each month has its special joys and tasks in the garden. Below is a suggested calendar for July. Remember that
gardening depends on the weather, so tasks, bloom season and activities may vary from year to year.
Best of Show:
 Flowers: tree/shrub: Aesculus californica, Calycanthus occidentalis, Eriogonum giganteum, Heteromeles arbutifolia, Holodiscus
discolor, Lyonothamnus spp., Malosma laurina, Rosa californica;
 Smaller shrubs/perennials: * Abutilon palmeri, Clematis ligusticifolia, Eriogonum spp., Grindelia spp., *Monardella spp.,
Oenothera spp., Penstemon spp., Solanum spp., Asclepias spp., Cirsium occidentale, Corethrogyne filaginifolia, *Erigeron spp.,
Euthamia occidentalis, Helianthus annuus, *Madia elegans, Solidago spp., * Sphaeralcea ambigua, Vebena spp.
 Fruits/berries/vegetables: Comarostaphylis diversifolia, * Morella (Myrica) californica, Prunus ilicifolia, non-native fruits
(peaches, nectarines, plums), summer vegetables
Planning:
 Yearly assessment of your garden: decide what needs improvement and what is successful
 Start a garden journal & photo log if you don’t already have one – or get yours organized
 Start a design: great time to create a garden design for your whole garden or just a part that you’re re-doing.
 Prepare for fall planting: order native seeds & bulbs (before they’re out of stock)
Hardscape/General:
 Make repairs/changes that weren’t possible in spring
Propagation:
 From cuttings: soft-wood (tip) cuttings of Mints, evergreen shrubs & trees
Planting:
 Last chance to plant bean, corn, cucumber and summer squash in the ground from plants
 Plant pond/water plants any time in summer
Watering: Major watering month
 Check soil weekly (even more often if very hot and/or windy); water as needed in the cool part of the day
 Give new plants the extra water they need
 Check containers often in dry, windy weather; consider installing drip irrigation to containers
 Give plants from N. coast a ‘fog’ spray every other week or so.
Pruning:
 Prune to shape/train: Ceanothus; Arctostaphylos (manzanitas) if any needed
 Prune for safety & plant health; cut back plants growing over walkways/paths
 Hedge-shear if needed
 Dead-head Salvia and Penstemon to prolong bloom

2. Weeds/Diseases/Pests: major weeding month – summer weeds are ready to pull
 Keep on top of summer weeds: bindweed, mustard, wild lettuce, prickly ox-tongue, sow thistle
Edibles/Crafts:
 Collect/dry leaves for tea and seasonings
 Pick elderberries, other ripe fruits; use now or dry/freeze
Enjoying the garden: Major month to enjoy the garden
 Make iced tea from native ‘mints’
 Enjoy and learn more about butterflies: take a class, participate in a count, observe in your yard
 Renew your inspiration: buy a new gardening book that inspires you; or search the web, go to the library
 Certify your garden as a wildlife (Nat. Wildlife Foundation) or butterfly (N. American Butterfly Assoc.) habitat garden; display your
certification sign/plaque with pride.
 Spend time in your front yard getting to know you neighbors
 Dine al fresco in your lovely garden; breakfasts and dinners are especially nice this time of year
7/7/2017