By Pat Shay, UC Master Gardener of Merced County

Harvest herbs – cut sprigs just before bloom for best taste. Continue to monitor pests and remove with spray from hose. Try to avoid unnecessary chemical controls. Mulch to help retain moisture in soil and slow weeds. Leave ground open from base of plant to three or four inches out (further out for trees and large shrubs).
Not too late to plant summer flowers/veggies in the first week or so of the month.
Remove fire hazards – trim low tree branches, remove debris. Cut branches back from the house – particularly the roof. Deadhead all flowering plants to encourage another round of bloom. Need summer color – plant zinnias! Foolproof, huge variety in height and type of bloom, very hardy.
Tend to fruit trees. Thin fruit, leaving only a couple of fruit per branch. If they are still too heavy and branches droop, support with stakes or 2 x 4’s. Birds will be a nuisance as fruit ripens – cover tree with bird netting.
Watch irrigation of flowers and veggies. Generally an early morning watering is best, particularly for plants susceptible to foliage diseases.
Weed, weed, weed – preferably by hand or with a hoe. Use chemicals ONLY as a last resort, using great care to keep from harming neighboring plants.