July Gardening
Tip of the Month

by Rich Sherman, Myrtle Creek Nursery, Fallbrook, CA.

July is when things really begin to heat up and watering the right way is critical. A garden needs one inch of water (rain if you can get it) a week to stay healthy and happy. Watering in the early morning is best. Don't water once the sun is high and really hot--you will burn the leaves of delicate plants. Watering in the evening can leave too much moisture, attracting disease. If you have planted natives, deep watering will keep them happy and you will find that the older the plants, the less water they require. New plantings, even Natives, require regular watering until well established--which can take up to 2-3 years. In the hotter, desert regions, don't be fooled by wilting leaves. Leaves wilt to form a shaded area to protect the roots of the plant. Check to see if the ground is dry by digging down a couple of inches, before watering. Shallow rooted plants need more watering, more often. Provide shade for new plantings and some wind protection, too, and your plants will be much stronger next season.

SUMMER PLANTS

Plants for Sun:

• Artemesis

• Calandrinia

• Callibrochoa

• Coleus

• Gaura

• Gerbera

• Geranium

• Ipomea

• Kangaroo Paw

• Knautia

• Phygelius

• Salpiglossis

Plants for Shade:

• Begonia

• Coleus

• Fuchsia

• Impatien

• Iresine

• Polka-Dot Plant

• Plectranthus