This time of year, enjoy morning glory groundcover and other annuals and perennials, such as vinca, cockscomb and tickseed. (Photo: Jeannette Warnert)

Tasks

• Consider removing groundcovers, turfgrass or annual flowers from little-used garden areas such as parking strips, medians or lawn “islands.”
• Cover bare soil with a layer of mulch. This reduces weeds and helps the soil retain moisture.
• Harvest vegetables and annuals regularly. Harvest apricots, berries, figs, plums and nectarines.
• Wash aphids and white flies off plants with water or insecticidal soap.

Pruning

• Deadhead annuals and perennials to encourage re-bloom.  Prune lightly to avoid vigorous re-growth.
• Deadheading roses encourages reblooming.

Fertilizing

• Avoid fertilizing herbs as too much fertilizer reduces flavor and fragrance.

Planting

• Midsummer in the Valley is typically not the best time for planting. New plants struggle to get established in high temperatures, low humidity and intense sunlight.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: vinca (Catharanthus), cockscomb (Celosia), morning glory (Convolvulus), tickseed (coreopsis).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: dahlia, fortnight lily (Dietes).
• Trees, shrubs, vines: bougainvillea, escallonia.
• Fruits and vegetables: blueberries, carrots, corn, cucumber.

Things to ponder

• Do not spray herbicides when daily temperatures exceed 100 degrees to prevent the spray from vaporizing.
• Protect neighboring plants with a cardboard shield when spraying herbicides.
• Watch for leaf drop, wilting or folded leaves which are the first signs of heat stress.
• Weeds compete with landscape plants for space, water and sunlight. Remove existing weeds by hand pulling, hoeing or the application of appropriate herbicides following label instructions.  A 2-3” layer of mulch will suppress weed seed germination in the future and help conserve soil moisture.