Fava beans are among the few vegetables that can be planted from seed in August. (Photo: Wikimedia Comons)

Tasks

• Use old vegetable plants and summer annuals to start a compost pile.  Add fall leaves as they drop from trees.
• Do not wait for a potted plant to droop before watering it, since roots will be damaged by the time a plant shows stress.
• Harvest vegetables to prevent them from setting seed.
• Renew mulch.

Pruning

• Support any heavily laden branches of fruit and nut trees.
• Cut back annuals and perennials to encourage growth and rebloom.

Fertilizing

• Feed vegetables at only ¼ the recommended rate to avoid a flush of tender young growth.
• Fertilize chrysanthemums, asters, and other fall blooming perennials for the last time.

Planting

• Wait until next month to plant, if possible.
• A few winter vegetables may be planted by seed this month. Consult the California Garden Web (https://cagardenweb.ucanr.edu/) for more information.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: Begonia semperflorens, vinca (Catharanthus), coreopsis, cosmos, dianthus.
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: dahlia, naked ladies (Amaryllis)
• Trees, shrubs, vines: lantana, crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia)
• Fruits and vegetables: corn, eggplant, grapes, peppers, potatoes, tomatoes.

Things to ponder

• Many landscapes have a few bare spots by now. Consider replacing missing plants with California natives.
• While daytime temperatures remain in the 90s or 100s, drought-stressed foliage can be damaged by applications of horticultural oils or pesticides.

Take a stroll through your garden with a morning cup of coffee or tea.

There are many varieties of ornamental grasses that can be used as a drought-tolerant alternative to turfgrass. This display is at the Clovis Botanical Garden. (Photo: Jeannette Warnert)

• Collect ripened seeds of favorites and store for next year.
• Start planning for fall planting. Select plants that are resistant to common diseases and insect pests and choose an appropriate site for each one.
• Stake tall or top-heavy plants such as dahlias and lilies.

Pruning

• While cutting and deadheading roses, prune lightly to shape bushes and encourage fall bloom.
• Prune apricot, oleander and olive trees now to avoid future disease problems.

Fertilizing

• Apply a complete fertilizer to warm season lawns such as Bermuda and zoysia at the rate of 1 pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn.

Planting

• Be patient. Planting season starts next month - anything planted in August is not likely to survive through September.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: yarrow (Achillea), floss flower (Ageratum), aster.
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: Autumn crocus.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: abelia, bluebeard (Caryopteris) smoke tree (Cotinus)
• Fruits and vegetables: apple, beans, bell peppers, nectarines, summer herbs.

Things to ponder

• If you do not use your lawn area, consider replacing it with a drought-tolerant planting area or vegetable garden.
• Potted plants benefit from mulch to reduce evaporation and suppress weeds.

Drought tip

• As summer begins to wind down, adjust irrigation timers to reflect fall's shorter days and cooler temperatures.

Irrigate ripening cucumbers carefully to avoid over and under watering. (Photo: PxHere)

Tasks

• Check drip emitters to adjust flow and unclog them if needed.
• Lightly trim lavenders after they have finished flowering to keep them compact.
• Support any heavily laden branches of fruit and nut trees.
• Water citrus being careful not to overwater. Continuously wet soil in the upper few inches risks root rot.

Pruning

• Deadhead roses, remove suckers and unwanted branches, and prune to improve air circulation.
• Divide iris every 2 or 3 years and replant new rhizomes.

Fertilizing

• Lightly fertilize annuals and roses for fall bloom.

Planting

• Any planting this month (including trees and shrubs) will require adequate water and sun protection.
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: Watsonia.
• Fruits and vegetables: lettuce, mustard, peas, potatoes, spinach, Swiss chard, turnips (plant from seed).

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: petunia, annual phlox (Phlox drummondii), moss rose (Portulaca), sage (Salvia), Stokes' aster (Stokesia), verbena, zinnia.
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: lily (Lilium asiatic hybrid).
• Trees, shrubs, vines: desert willow (Chilopsis), rose, chaste tree (Vitex).
• Fruits and vegetables: cantaloupe, plum, tomato, tomatillo, squash.

Things to ponder

• Do not allow vegetables to dry out - but do not over water either. A consistent, even supply of moisture prevents bitterness in cucumbers and cracking and poor fruit quality in tomatoes.
• Standing water, even in the very smallest container, can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.
• Browse fall catalogs to order seeds and bulbs for winter and spring.

Stay cool by tending plants inside the house this week. (Photo: Pexels)

Tasks

• Water citrus on a regular schedule to maintain even soil moisture. Continuously wet soil in the upper few inches risks root rot.
• Renew mulch, 3 to 4 inches deep, to help retain soil moisture.
• Drain standing water. Water in even the very smallest container, can be a breeding ground for mosquitoes.

Pruning

• Cut back selected annuals and perennials to encourage growth and rebloom: alyssum, dianthus, coreopsis, million bells (Callibrachoa), catmint (Nepeta), and penstemon.
• Remove tendrils and vigorous shoots from wisteria.
• Prune bougainvillea to promote better flowering.

Planting

• Avoid planting annuals and perennials unless it is absolutely necessary.
• Start seeds of early spring annuals for later transplanting to your garden. Ideally work in an area that does not get late afternoon sun.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: coreopsis, blanket flower (Gaillardia), globe amaranth (Gomphrena), sunflower (Helianthus), strawflower (Helichrysum), day lily (Hemerocallis).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: gladiolus.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: crape myrtle (Lagerstroemia), oleander (Nerium).
• Fruits and vegetables: cilantro, melon, nectarine, okra, peach, peppers, potatoes.

Things to ponder

• Dispose of fallen fruit, which harbors pests.
• Keep water away from trunks of trees and crowns of plants to reduce the potential for disease.
• Sudden limb drop can occur in large, otherwise healthy trees especially during hot summer days in drought years.  Regular deep irrigation in summer - one to two times weekly - may lessen the frequency of such damage.