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January Calendar
- Prune existing roses by at least one half to two thirds. Water twice a week. Do not feed until February.
- For cool weather color, plant cyclamen, dianthus, calendula, alyssum, pansies, violas, snapdragon, stock, and poppies.
- There is still time to plant cool weather vegetables from seed, including lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, cabbage, carrots, and radishes. Start tomatoes from seed indoors.
- Prepare vegetable and flower beds for spring planting by amending soil now with Forest Magic Organic Compost and soil sulphur.
- Prune established deciduous trees and shrubs by removing diseased or dead branches, or branches that detract from the desired shaped of the plant. (For additional information, we recommend Pruning, Planting, and Care by Eric A. Johnson, available in our Gift Shop).
- This is a great month for clean-up of gardens and landscapes. Remove leaf and branch debris from around plants to discourage future pests and diseases, rake fallen leaves, and remove weeds.
- Continue slow, deep, and less frequent watering of established trees and shrubs. Most established trees and shrubs will need irrigation every 3 to 4 weeks.
- Continue to cover frost sensitive plants with N-Sulate frost cloth on evenings when we have frost warnings. Old sheets may be used as well. Remain vigilant about covering over the next two months, as the traditional last date for frost is March 15.
- Feed winter lawns every 4-6 weeks with Bandini Lawn Food. Back to Top
February Calendar
- Begin feeding established roses with El Toro Flower and Vegetable Food or Magnum Rose Food (for potted roses). Add Epsom salts. Deep water three times a week. A good selection of ready-to-plant roses are available in our Garden Center.
- Plant cool weather annuals such as pansies, violas, snapdragons, geraniums, gerbera daisies, ranunculus, and petunias.
- Feed established citrus with El Toro Citrus Food.
- There is still time to plant cool weather vegetables from seed, such as carrots, peas, radishes, and spinach. Start spring vegetables, such as cucumbers, peppers, and summer squash, from seed indoors.
- Tomato starts are available for planting this month. Be sure to cover new plants if there is a danger of frost.
- Most established trees and shrubs should be receiving irrigation about every two weeks. Water slowly and deeply.
- Be prepared to cover frost sensitive plants on nights when there is a frost warning.
- Plant bulbs such as gladiolus, tigridia, cannas, dahlias, and zephyranthes for late spring and early summer bloom. Locate in an area that will receive afternoon shade.
- Prune deciduous trees and shrubs (if not done in January) before new growth begins, while plants are still dormant.
- Apply a pre-emergent such as Amaze by Greenlight, or Weed Impede by Monterey to prevent early spring weeds.
- Start regular feeding of established irises with GrowMore Organic Flower & Bloom fertilizer.
- Purchase Geraniums toward end of the month for containers. Keep in full sun until it's really hot, then move them to a shaded area for the summer months.
- Cut back and divide chrysanthemums. Back to Top
March Calendar
- Plant spring and summer annuals such as petunias, geraniums, gerbera daisies, marigolds, alyssum, and lobelia. Begonias, dahlias, and caladium are nice alternatives for shady areas./li>
- Consider groundcovers to retain soil moisture and mitigate heat. One of the best for shady areas is Vinca major. Purple trailing lantana and 'New Gold' lantana give superior performance in sunny, hot areas.
- Feed established roses with El Toro Flower and Vegetable Food or Magnum Rose Food (for potted roses). Add Epsom salts. Spray young buds with a systemic insecticide such as Orthenex by Ortho to prevent thrips and aphids. Deep water three times a week.
- Plant tomato, pepper, and eggplant starts. Plant seeds of squash, melons, cucumbers, and watermelon.
- Plant cilantro and parsley for early harvest, before the summer heat arrives. Basil, chive, oregano, sage, and thyme can also be planted this month.
- Plant citrus, keeping in mind that there is still a possibility of frost during the first half of the month, so be prepared to cover in the event that temperatures dip into the 30’s.
- Closely monitor irrigation of established trees and shrubs. Be prepared to increase frequency of irrigation as temperatures warm up. Continue to water slowly and deeply.
- Prune evergreen trees and shrubs. Be sure to remove all clippings, and water deeply after pruning. Do not prune frost damage from frost tender plants until new growth appears.
- Bougainvillea and lantana can be pruned back as far as you want to keep the size and shape you desire.
- Apply a pre-emergent such as Amaze by Greenlight or Weed Impede by Monterey if you did not do so last month. This will help prevent weeds from popping up.
- As the weather warms up, keep an eye out for spider mites. Spider mite damage can appear as a dusty covering on trees and shrubs; webbing may also be present. Watch pyracantha, junipers, and cypress closely for dusty appearance. Spray affected plants from top to bottom with a hard blast of water. If this is unsuccessful, spray with Ortho Orthenex.
- Thatch your dormant summer lawn if it hasn’t been done over the past few years. Thatch can prevent proper penetration of food and water. Back to Top
April Calendar
- Feed established roses with El Toro Flower and Vegetable Food or Magnum Rose Food (for potted roses). Add Epsom salts. Spray young buds with a systemic such as Orthenex to prevent thrips and aphids. Water three times a week.
- Plant spring and early summer blooming annuals such as geraniums, gerbera daisies, marigolds, petunias, carnations, cosmos, lobelia, and alyssum. Periwinkle will be available when evening temperatures are remaining in the 60’s.
- This is a great month to plant citrus.
- Plant spring blooming perennials such as African daisies (osteospermum), Buddleia davidii (butterfly bush), gallardia, guara, delphinium, and lavender.
- Plant tomato starts as soon as possible, as the summer harvesting season is short.
- Plant frost sensitive plants such as bougainvillea, lantana, and hibiscus.
- Prune frost damaged branches from plants once new growth appears.
- It is normal for evergreen trees and shrubs to drop older yellow foliage in preparation for new spring growth.
- Established trees and shrubs may need weekly irrigation by the end of the month. Water thoroughly and deeply.
- Container plants may need daily watering as temperatures warm up.
- Iron chlorosis may be detected on plants such as citrus, roses, and gardenias. Foliage will appear yellow with bright green veins. Treat affected plants with chelated iron.
- Keep an eye out for aphids and spider mites. Try washing them off with a heavy blast of water, or use a pyrethrin-based product such as Schultz Garden and Houseplant Spray. If this is not affective, treat with the insecticide Malathion.
- Look for signs of dry rot (a fungus disease that causes decay that shows up as misshapen blackened areas) on prickly pear pads and remove any affected pads and discard them. This is the best remedy as there is no other control for this problem. Cold, sunburn, and tunneling larvae of weevils and cactus bugs can all be causes of dry rot.
- Water newly planted succulents every 7-10 days. Once new growth appears or plants have been in the ground 1 month, expand watering to every 10-14 days for the first summer. Established succulents can be watered every 2-3 weeks but water every other week when temperatures reach 105 degrees, and water deeply and in a wide circle around the base of the plant.
- If you use an automated watering system, it is best to NOT put your succulents on the same line as your herbaceous and woody plants because the amount and frequency of watering is so different. If you MUST use the same line, try a single 1/2 gallon per hour emitter on each plant. Back to Top
May Calendar
- Feed established roses with El Toro Flower and Vegetable Food or Magnum Rose Food (for potted roses). Add Epsom salts. Increase deep watering to every other day. Mulch your roses to help retain moisture.
- Plant summer annuals such as calibrachoa, celosia, cosmos, golden gleece, marigolds, nierembergia, Wave and Fantasy petunias, periwinkle, portulaca, sweet potato vines, and verbena. For shady areas, plant begonias, caladium, coleus, dahlias, impatiens, and red or pink splash. Water summer plants daily when temps exceed 90 degrees.
- Plant summer vegetables such as tomatoes, peppers, watermelon, eggplant, and squash. When planting tomatoes, consider trying a variety that is best suited for our hot climate, such as Sunmaster.
- This is a great month to plant native and desert adapted perennials such as angelita daisy, autumn sage, chocolate flower, gaura, and shrubby bulbine.
- Citrus fruit drop is normal this month; it is nature’s way of removing excess fruit that the tree cannot handle. There is no reason for concern if you are watering properly, only a small percentage of developing fruit are dropping, and the fruit that is the size of a quarter and larger is remaining on the tree.
- Feed established citrus with El Toro Citrus Food and potted roses with Magnum Rose Food.
- Evidence of leaf cutter bees will appear on the new growth of plants such as bougainvilleas and roses. You will notice perfect semi-circles cut out of the foliage. The insect uses the new foliage for nest making material; it does not actually ingest any portion of the plant, so it does not make sense to spray the plant with insecticide. The affected plant may look unsightly for awhile, but no permanent damage will be done.
- You will probably need to increase the frequency of irrigation on established trees and shrubs to about once a week. Continue to water slowly and deeply to prevent run-off.
- Remain vigilant about checking for evidence of spider mites. These pests love the hot, dry weather.
- Warm weather conditions are ideal for planting or transplanting cacti, agaves, and other heat-loving plants. Cacti can also be pruned anytime it is hot. To ensure a clean cut, always use a sharp tool or saw and cut at a joint whenever possible. Dust any cuts with sulphur to prevent infection and assist in drying the wound.
- Water large cacti, ocotillos, and large yucca plants at least once a month from now through September. Agaves, prickly pears, and smaller cacti and yuccas can be watered every three weeks.
- If your aloe plants have become overgrown, divide them now by cutting out plants along the edge until you have reduced the size of the clump to about half. To prevent sunburn of newly planted succulents, regardless of size or type, keep them shaded during the first summer. Use shade cloth if trees or buildings are not nearby to do the job. Back to Top
June Calendar
- Feed established roses with El Toro Flower and Vegetable Food or Magnum Rose Food (for potted roses) at half strength. Add Epsom salts at half strength. Increase deep watering to every day. Mulch your roses to help retain moisture. Apply chelated iron to roses exhibiting an iron deficiency (yellow leaves with bright green veins). Keep an eye out for spider mites. Treat with Orthenex systemic insecticide. Distorted buds are a sign of thrips damage. It is important to treat buds (with Orthenex) at a very early stage, before the damage is visible.
- A great selection of summer annuals will be available for planting. Varieties include calibrachoa, celosia, cosmos, golden fleece, nierembergia, periwinkle, portulaca, salvia, and sweet potato vine. For shady areas, plant begonias, caladium, dahlias, impatiens, and pink splash. Call our Garden Center for the latest availability.
- Plant summer annuals from seed. Varieties include cosmos, sunflowers, tithonia, and zinnias.
- Plant summer vegetables such as Armenian cucumber, eggplant, pumpkin, squash, and watermelon from transplant or seed.
- Plant summer herbs such as basil, mint, oregano, rosemary, sage, and thyme.
- Plant trees, shrubs, and vines by the beginning of the month in order to benefit from a full summer season of growth.
- Prune dead branches or branches that compromise the growth or shape of trees or shrubs, but don’t do any severe pruning at this time.
- Most established trees and shrubs will need weekly irrigation. Water slowly and deeply.
- Water established non-native cacti once a week. Established native cactus such as prickly pear and ocotillo should be watered at least once a month (saguaro cactus should not need any supplemental water, unless recently planted). Container cacti may need watering up to twice a week.
- Deadhead your flowering plants to encourage continued blooming. This means simply removing spent flowers before they are able to go to seed.
- Protect your plants by adding a layer of mulch which will help retain moisture and cool the ground. Take stock of your plants. Even the more heat tolerant plants can benefit from a little shade at this time of the year to look their best. Plants that are stressed, intermittently or continuously, are very often short-lived, lose their vigor, and bloom less. Back to Top
July Calendar
- July is a good time to fertilize your palm trees. Because palms require certain micronutrients that many other plants don't need, use a palm-specific food such as Nutri-Pak for Palms (12-4-12). Conveniently packaged Nutri-Paks are the most efficient and cost effective 3-year timed release packets on the market, and we highly recommend them. Since palms and many other plants use fertilizers that need to be watered in, apply the fertilizer to soil already saturated from a storm, and let the next storm water it into the ground. If that second rain doesn't occur in a timely manner, use the hose, but let the monsoon rains assist you while they last.
- With the arrival of monsoon season, look for signs and symptoms of Texas root rot, a devastating plant disease. Dead leaves will continue to cling to a plant with Texas root rot. An initial sign is a sudden, rapid wilting and drying of foliage following storms or heavy irrigation. Unfortunately this disease is indigenous to our soils in the desert southwest and most often fatal. The soil-borne fungus that causes the disease (Phymatotrichopsis omnivora) does not produce airborne spores; it exists and spreads in the soil. Your best bet may be to select plants immune to this disease, i.e., all monocots which include grasses, palms, agaves, yuccas, and bromeliads to name a few. There is a large variety of highly resistant trees and shrubs to choose from also. Some excellent choices are citrus trees, acacias, desert willows, cacti, crape myrtle, rosemary, and star jasmine.
- There's nothing like rainwater to liven up your plants, so use what nature provides at this time of the year and harvest the monsoon rainwater. The easiest way to do this is to catch the runoff from your gutters and direct the water into a large barrel with a spigot or valve for use later on. Be sure to keep the barrels covered to keep out mosquitoes and debris.
- Feed established roses with El Toro Flower and Vegetable Food, Magnum Rose Food (for potted roses) at half strength, or Bayer Advanced Rose and Flower Care. Add Epsom salts at half strength. Increase deep watering to every day. Keep faded blooms pruned. Remember that roses need ample irrigation. Deep water every day throughout the hot summer months.
- Plant summer annuals such as angelonia, calibrachoa, celosia, lisianthus, periwinkle, and pentas. For shady spots, try planting begonias, impatiens, pink splash, or coleus. And deadhead your annuals to keep them looking their best and to encourage continuous blooms.
- There is still time to plant summer vegetables such as cucumbers, melons, and squash. Plant peppers now for a fall crops.
- Most herbs can be planted now, but avoid planting cilantro and parsley which will bolt in heat.
- Adequate irrigation is extremely important during the hot summer months. The key to proper irrigation is the slow deep soaking of the entire root area of the tree or shrub. Most established trees and shrubs will need weekly irrigation.
- The onset of monsoon rains will bring more weeds. Consider using a pre-emergent such as Weed Impede by Monterey or Amaze by Greenlight to prevent weeds before they appear. If you are already seeing signs of weeds, spray with an appropriate weed killer such as Kill-Zall by Hi-Yield, Weed-Be-Gone by Ortho, or MSMA Crabgrass Killer by Greenlight, while weeds are still small. Consult one our Garden Wizards for the most appropriate weed killer or pre-emergent for your situation.
- Watch for cochineal scale on prickly pear cactus which will appear as fluffy white blobs. These insects also yield a scarlet dye when crushed. Try spraying the affected cacti with hard blasts of water. If this is unsuccessful, treat with either Malathion or Sevin.
- Palo verde beetles emerge from the ground, creating holes around palo verde trees. Treat all the way out to the drip line of the tree with Ortho Systemic Insect Killer, Bayer Advanced Garden Tree and Shrub Insect Control, or Sevin granules. Consult one of our Garden Wizards for the treatment most appropriate to meet your needs. Back to Top
August Calendar
- Feed established roses with El Toro Flower and Vegetable Food or Magnum Rose Food (for potted roses) at half strength. Add Epsom salts at half strength. Continue to deep water every day. Keep faded blooms pruned. Selective pruning of unwanted or dead branches is OK.
- Continue to plant summer annuals, especially for instant color and for containers. Popular varieties include celosia, cosmos, lisianthus, periwinkle, salvia, and zinnias.
- Prepare vegetable gardens for the fall planting season. Even though we are between seasons, August is a great time to beef up your garden with mulch or compost and soil sulphur.
- Feed established citrus with El Toro Citrus Food.
- Continue to water established trees and shrubs about once a week. Water slowly and deeply, allowing water to penetrate to the entire root system of your plants.
- Be on the lookout for wasteful water use. Check for irrigation leaks, avoid watering when not necessary and other wasteful water use practices. Water is one of our most precious resources.
- This is a great month for planting palms, which thrive in our hot climate.
- Grubs are often present in the garden at this time of year. They will appear as large, fat worms if you go digging down into the soil. If you have a plant that is suddenly dying without any apparent explanation, grubs could be the culprit. You can treat for grubs with the insecticide Sevin. For non-edible ornamental plants, you may consider using a systemic such as Bayer Season Long Grub Control.
- Summer rains will bring another crop of weeds. Spray with an appropriate weed killer such as Kill-Zall by High Yield, Weed-Be-Gone by Ortho, or MSMA Crabgrass Killer by Greenlight. Consult one of our Garden Wizards for the most appropriate weed killer for your situation. Back to Top
September Calendar
- This is the last month to feed your roses (for the remainder of the year). Try El Toro Flower and Vegetable Food or Magnum Rose Food (for container grown roses). Feed at full strength, and add Epsom salts at full strength. Continue to water daily. Lightly prune around the middle of the month.
- Many warm season succulents slow down their growth during the hot summer months and resume growing with the more mild temperatures of autumn making this an ideal time to plant. Yuccas, agaves, and cacti are excellent choices.
- Plant spring flowering perennials in late September. Many are pretty cold hardy and grow through the winter. Water them well after planting and apply a layer of mulch 2-3 inches thick for added protection. If you want to grow these from seed, they will be ready to transplant into the garden in about 8 weeks.
- Plant cool weather vegetables such as broccoli, carrots, lettuce, peas, radishes, and spinach at the end of the month. Broccoli grows quickly during the cool season. To extend the harvest, plant at 2-3 week intervals.
- Prepare beds for annuals early in September. Plant cool weather annuals toward the end of the month. Snapdragons, petunias, pansies, stock, and geraniums are excellent choices.
- If planting spring-blooming flowers from seed now, they will be ready to transplant in about 8 weeks. Try sweet peas, carnations, hollyhocks, or columbine. Plant sweet pea seeds at the end of the month for early spring bloom next year.
- Consider growing winter herbs in containers or raised beds. They will thrive in the sunshine. Start with plenty of organic matter, provide good drainage, and feed plants monthly.
- Citrus foliage may look yellow and/or sunburned after the hot summer, but new growth should be healthy. Water every 7-10 days, along with your other established trees and shrubs, until temperatures begin to cool down. Water slowly and deeply, allowing water to penetrate to the entire root system of your plants.
- Bulbs are available for fall planting. Varieties include anemone, bearded iris, daffodils, Dutch iris, hyacinths (pre-chilled), paperwhites, ranunculus, and tulips (need to be chilled 4-6 weeks). When shopping for bulbs, select those that are of good size and with no soft spots. If you are not planting right away, be sure to store your bulbs in a cool, dry area in paper bags (not plastic). The refrigerator is an ideal place for this, but do not place bulbs near any fruit.
- Divide iris that have been in the ground two years or longer. Foliage of iris not being divided should be cut back to a 6-inch fan shape.
- Ornamental kale is used frequently in winter garden displays. It looks nicer than it tastes, however! Back to Top
October Calendar
- Discontinue feeding roses until February. Discontinue applying Epsom salts. Water deeply every other day, and your rose bushes should continue to bloom until the first heavy frost.
- Plant cool weather annuals now such as alyssum, dianthus, lobelia, petunias, snapdragon, stock (very fragrant), and violas. Deadhead them as needed to prolong bloom time. As it continues to cool down, look for geraniums and pansies. Cyclamen and primrose are ideal cool-weather choices for shady areas.
- Plant cool weather vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, and spinach. A wide variety of cool weather vegetables are available and easily grown from seed also. Try lettuce, mesclun, radishes, peas, and Swiss chard.
- Plant cool season herbs such as dill and parsley. Fertilize established perennial herbs (sage, rosemary, lavender, thyme) with a slow-release fertilizer, and add some organic amendments to the soil for an added boost.
- Fragrant sweet peas (Lathyrus), an old-fashioned favorite, often evoke memories of childhood gardens. They grow beautifully from seeds which can be strategically placed to grow and wind upward on strings or trellises to form a scented wall of flowers.
- Nasturtiums (Trapaeolum) also grow very well from seed. They are edible with a peppery flavor and make lovely garnishes. Nasturtiums come in single and double varieties, and trail nicely over raised beds.
- Plant wildflower seeds for spring bloom. African daisies, blue bells, California or Mexican poppies, desert lupine, gaillardia, and penstemon are all good choices for planting now. We also carry some great wildflower seed mixes suitable for planting this month.
- Plant trees and shrubs not sensitive to frost. The winter months will allow for the development of a good root system that will support new spring growth. When considering soil erosion and conservation of natural resources, desert-adapted trees (acacia, desert willow, mesquite, palo verde, and palo brea) and shrubs such as lantana and Cistus (rockrose) are excellent choices. They are more likely to maintain stable soil by establishing themselves quickly while requiring less water and soil amendments.
- Hardy perennials such as coreopsis, yarrow, and Salvia clevelandii (Cleveland Sage) also establish their root systems during the cool months of fall and winter bursting forth with new growth in the warmth of spring.
- Begin to decrease the frequency of irrigation on established trees and shrubs. By the end of the month, you may be down to an irrigation schedule of every 3-4 weeks.
- Decrease irrigation in general for all your established plants. As the temperatures drop, so will your plants' water requirements. Applying a layer of mulch will help to prevent moisture from evaporating and also provide protection from the cold. Back to Top
November Calendar
- Discontinue feeding roses until February. Water three times a week until Thanksgiving. Gradually cut back further after that point.
- Potted outdoor plants can be moved indoors or to protected areas outside to provide a haven from the cold.
- A wide variety of cool weather annuals will be available for winter color. For sunny areas, try alyssum, Christmas cactus, geraniums, pansies, snapdragon, stock, and violas. Cyclamen, primrose, and lobelia are good choices for shady areas. Be sure to protect from freezing temps.
- The first frost usually occurs this month. Be prepared to cover your frost sensitive plants with N-sulate frost cloth. This can be left on your plants fro 2-3 days without causing damage.
- Plant cool weather vegetables such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, lettuce, and spinach.
- Plant cool weather vegetable starts such as broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, and Swiss chard. Most cool weather vegetables can still be planted from seed.
- Plant trees and shrubs that are not sensitive to frost.
- Established trees and shrubs will need irrigation about every 3-4 weeks. Reduce overall watering with dropping temperatures.
- Avoid heavy pruning of deciduous trees and shrubs. Some selective pruning is fine.
- Indoor plants purchased within the last six months may need to be repositioned as sun exposure changes with the season. Back to Top
December Calendar
- Do not feed roses. This is a good month to plant "ready-to-plant" roses as winter dormancy will give new plants the opportunity for good root development before new growth in spring. Continue to gradually cut back on watering until you are down to a once-a-week schedule by the end of the month.
- A good selection of reliable cool weather annuals will continue to be available for immediate winter color including alyssum, cyclamen, geraniums, lobelias, pansies, snapdragons, stock, and violas.
- Cool weather vegetable starts can still be planted this month. Plant seeds of carrots, lettuce, peas, radishes, and spinach.
- Plant cool weather herbs such as mint, parsley, rosemary, and thyme.
- Start tomatoes and peppers indoors near the end of the month to be ready to plant outside in February. Use a quality soil and keep evenly moist and in indirect light.
- Harvest grapefruit this month. Begin testing for flavor at the beginning of the month. Fruit left on the tree will continue to ripen. Most grapefruit should be ready for harvest by Christmas.
- Due to the short days and cool temperatures, most annuals are not actively growing and need less water. So pay extra attention to your watering needs because December-January is the coldest time of the year here.
- Be prepared to cover frost sensitive plants on evenings when there are frost warnings. You can find N-Sulate frost cloth here. This material allows plants to breathe and can be left on for longer periods of time with no damage to the plant.
- Remember that plants in the ground can withstand freezes more readily than plants in pots.
- Avoid pruning of evergreen trees and shrubs as any new growth that develops will be damaged by frost. Plus, old foliage left on the plant can provide some protection from frost.
- Established trees and shrubs will need irrigation about every three to four weeks.
- This is a good month for yard and garden clean-up. Remove debris (fallen leaves, spent blossoms, and fruit) from around trees and shrubs to prevent future insect and disease problems and for a tidier appearance.
- Aphids can still show up on vegetables and herbs. Use strong streams of water or remove them by hand.
- Buy Harlow Gardens gift certificates for holiday gift-giving! Back to Top
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