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Protect sensitive plants from cold injury when frost is predicted. Photo: Courtesy UC Regents Maintenance and prevention Chop up cover crop foliage into small pieces if you grew a cover crop. Turn under or add the clippings to your compost pile.
Plant painted lady gladiola corms (Gladiolus carneus) in spring for a beautiful summer display. Photo: Creative Commons Maintenance and prevention Troubleshoot irrigation system for missing or clogged emitters and broken spray heads. Begin irrigation as rainy season ends.
May is a good time to repot Cymbidium orchids. Photo: Creative Commons Maintenance and prevention Check hose fittings for spent washers and leaks. Ensure hose has a shut off valve or other water conserving feature. Aerate and fertilize lawn areas using an organic fertilizer.
Powdery mildew is common in warm, dry conditions. Photo: Courtesy UC Regents Maintenance and prevention Check soil moisture and adjust the watering schedule on your irrigation controller accordingly. Water early in the day. Watch container plants which may need daily watering.
Provide a clean water source for thirsty birds and bees. Photo: Dan Wayman, unsplash Maintenance and prevention Monitor soil moisture. The water requirements of plants peaks in July. Established perennials, shrubs, and trees need infrequent but deep watering.
Prune hydrangeas after blooms fade. Annie Spratt, Unsplash Maintenance and prevention Monitor soil moisture. Established perennials, shrubs and trees need infrequent but deep watering. Container plants may need daily watering.
Reduce irrigation times as day length shortens and plant growth slows. Photo: Courtesy UC Regents Maintenance and prevention Reduce irrigation times as day length shortens and plant growth slows.
Fall is the perfect time to plant native plants, like this California fuchsia (Epilobium). Photo: Marie Narlock Maintenance and prevention Reduce irrigation times significantly as day length shortens and plant growth slows or stops.
Create new planting areas by sheet mulching over weed patches or unwanted lawn. Photo: Courtesy UC Regents Maintenance and prevention Mulch bare soil to hold in moisture, keep out weeds, and prevent compaction by hard rains. Clean up the garden before the rains begin.
Winter is a good time to clean and sharpen tools. Photo: Piqsels Maintenance and prevention Clean up the garden to avoid over-wintering diseases. Cover open compost bins with a tarp when the rains begin. Protect frost-sensitive garden plants such as succulents.
