Chitalpas are decidious trees that bloom for several months during the summer. They can be planted this time of year. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Tasks

• Repair damaged spots in cool-season lawns (such as tall fescue) by scratching with a rake, seeding and covering with mulch. Keep moist until the new grass seedlings are well established. Warm-season lawns like Bermuda grass will soon be entering their dormant season, so bare patches should be covered with mulch to discourage winter weeds.
• Use spent vegetable plants and summer annuals to start a compost pile.

Pruning

• Divide and thin perennials.
• Sharpen your pruning tools in preparation for fall pruning.

Fertilizing

• To avoid a flush of new growth late in the growing season, do not apply fertilizer to citrus, avocados or other frost?tender plants.

Planting

• If the weather is cool enough, plant spring bulbs and annuals.
• Annuals: calendula, Canterbury bell (Campanula), pansy (Viola).
• Perennials: catmint (Nepeta), dianthus, fortnight lily (Dietes), Lantana.
• Fruits and vegetables: broccoli, cauliflower, parsley.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: barberry (Berberis), redbud (Cercis), fringe tree (Chionanthus), chitalpa.
• Tender leafy vegetables are best planted later in the month, and even then may require daily watering until they are well established.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: fibrous begonia.
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: cyclamen.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: beautyberry (Callicarpa), bottlebrush (Callistemon), chitalpa.
• Fruits and vegetables: garlic, gourds, grapes, peaches.
• Fall color: Raywood ash (Fraxinus angustifolia), maidenhair (Ginkgo biloba).

Things to ponder

• Cover remaining tomato and pepper plants with a garden blanket to extend the harvest season into November.
• Limit the size of fall vegetable gardens to avoid over-production. Plant only the varieties that you know you will use and enjoy, or that you can share with others.

Be mindful of changing irrigation needs as days get shorter and temperatures begin to drop. Adjust automatic timers accordingly. (Photo: Jeannette Warnert)

“A garden is a thing of beauty and a job forever” ~ Richard Briers

Tasks

• Despite a few last very hot summer days, fall is rapidly approaching with shorter days and cooler nights. Adjust irrigation timers, as your garden requires less water.
• The cooler weather is perfect for working in the garden. Start fall cleanup.
• Deeply water fruit and nut trees. Ideally, mature fruit trees should be irrigated to a depth of 3 feet.

Pruning

• Prune and shape photinia now to avoid removing the attractive new, red foliage. Photinia can be pruned aggressively if the plant has grown too large.
• Finish dividing iris. Replant while conditions remain warm and dry, and share extra rhizomes with friends and neighbors.

Planting

• Bulbs that do not need chilling may be planted beginning this month.
• Plant winter and spring annuals and cool-weather vegetables from cell packs.
• Annuals: snapdragon (Antirrhinum), English daisy (Bellis perennis).
• Perennials: Alstroemeria, Bellflower (campanula), chrysanthemum morifolium, Geum.
• Fruits and vegetables: beets, carrots - plant from seed.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: abelia, acacia, horse chestnut (Aesculus), strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo).

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: alstroemeria, yarrow (Achillea), aster, begonia.
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: canna.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: barberry (Berberis), bougainvillea, butterfly bush (Buddleia davidii).
• Fruits and vegetables: almonds, beans, corn.
• Fall color: maple (Acer), cotoneaster.

Things to ponder

• A thick layer of mulch acts as insulation. If applied while the soil is still warm (55°- 65°) it can help extend the fall growing season.
• In the absence of soaking rains, continue to deep water trees and large shrubs at least once a week.

Consider a water-permeable patio, which is less likely to result in backyard water runoff. (Photo: Jeannette Warnert)

Tasks

• Clean up around the base of fruit trees, and compost or dispose of all fallen fruit and nuts.
• Apply preemergent herbicide in early September to prevent winter weeds.

Pruning

• While cutting and deadheading roses, prune lightly to shape bushes and encourage fall bloom. Always prune to an outward facing bud.

Fertilizing

• Fertilize fruit and nut trees following harvest.
• Fertilize roses for fall bloom.

Planting

• The fall planting season begins in September – wait for cooler days for best results.
• Perennials: Coneflower (Echinacea), rosemary (Rosmarinus), Mexican blue sage (Salvia leucantha), thyme.
• Annuals: Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule), sweet pea (Lathyrus).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: grape hyacinth (Muscari), narcissus, ranunculus, squill (Scilla), tulip, Watsonia. Purchase bulbs by Labor Day, plant by Thanksgiving.
• Fruits and vegetables: Asian greens, radish, spinach, sugar snap peas (plant from seed)
• Trees, shrubs, vines: Abelia, Forsythia, palo verde (Parkinsonia), viburnum, xylosma.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: petunia, gloriosa daisy (Rudbeckia), marigold (Tagetes).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: fairy lily (Zephyranthes), dahlia.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: cape plumbago, rose, chaste tree (Vitex).
• Fruits and vegetables: apples, pistachio, plum, squash, tomatoes.

Things to ponder

• Chill tulip and hyacinth bulbs in the refrigerator for 6 to 8 weeks. Do not store apples or ripe carrots in the same area.  Plant in early winter (October-November) after garden soil has cooled.
• Dust on leaves reduces the effectiveness of foliar fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Before spraying, shake, brush or rinse dust off plants.
• If installing a patio or other hardscape, choose water-permeable materials if possible.

Container gardens require careful attention to irrigation in the Fresno County climate. Don't neglect them even as the weather cools.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

Tasks

• To prevent germination of winter weeds like annual bluegrass (Poa annua) and chickweed, apply pre-emergent herbicide following label instructions.
• Give special attention to watering container plants.
• Harvest and dry herbs.
• Divide spring and summer blooming bulbs.

Pruning

• Do not apply any treatments to pruning cuts or other wounds because these materials are ineffective and often are detrimental.
• Sharpen your pruning tools in preparation for fall pruning.

Planting

• Fall is a great time to plant trees and perennials.  Roots become well established during cool winter months, allowing plants to cope with the following summer's heat and aridity without additional stress.
• Be sure to provide sufficient water and shade while new trees and shrubs settle into the landscape.
• Citrus and avocado trees planted in late summer or fall may require additional frost protection this winter if new growth hasn't sufficiently hardened off by the time temperatures fall below freezing.
• Wait until winter to plant bareroot stock like roses or stone fruit trees.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials:  lisianthus (Eustoma), zinnia, moss pink (Phlox subulata), geranium (Pelargonium)
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: spider lily (Lycoris)
• Trees, shrubs, vines:  lantana, trumpet vine (Campsis)
• Fruits and vegetables:  chilies, grapes, melon, peach.
• If the squash harvest is too abundant, pick the flowers for stuffing.

Things to ponder

• Nut and citrus trees need regular deep irrigation to produce good quality crops.
• Some cities have recently relaxed watering rules to allow irrigation of some food-producing gardens more frequently than twice a week. Check with your local agency before altering your own watering schedule.