Gardening

Getting plants off to a good start begins with planting. While its a simple enough concept dig a hole, cover the plants roots with soil, water, and watch it grow theres actually a bit more to it. The process varies slightly if youre planting bulbs, succulents, or trees and shrubs.

Year-round food and water are essential for habitat gardens. Photo: Bridget Ahearn "The birds and the bees" is a sweet expression, but the work of pollinators is a serious business. Without pollination, life on Earth would cease.

Drought stressed leaves may curl and look scorched. Photo credit: UC Regents Water is essential for the chemical and physical processes that plants need to survive and grow. Healthy plants depend on the movement of water from the soil through the roots and up into the leaves.

Credit: UC ANR A soil amendment is any material added to soil to improve its physical properties, such as water retention, permeability, drainage, aeration, and structure. They can also be used to modify soil pH. There are lots of different materials available you can use to improve your soil.

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.

Coast live oak trees (Quercus agrifolia) like wet winters and dry summers. L. Stiles There are 20 oak trees native to California. These stately trees create iconic landscapes, live up to 400 years, and provide tremendous benefits. Oaks are good investments -- for homeowners and the environment.

Some perennials bloom exuberantly in the heat of summer. Photo: Creative Commons When temperatures rise, everyone feels the heat even your garden. If you live in a hot summer area, be sure to use strategies to avoid heat stress in plants.

Unsure what's fact and what's fiction when it comes to gardening? Gardening myths are as common as blackbirds in a sunflower field. Some have just become bad habits; others have been passed down for generations.

Summer Orchard Care (2024) Citrus from Tree to Table (2023) Growing Olives (2017) Online Olive Resources (2017) Pruning & Remedial Pruning of Deciduous Fruit Trees (2012) Selecting & Planting Deciduous Fruit Trees/Citrus Trees Principles of Fruit and Nut Tree Growth, Cropping & Management - T.

This garden demonstrates the types of plants that grow in the Mediterranean regions throughout the world. A Mediterranean climate generally has very hot, dry summers with temperatures in the mid 80s to 100s degree Fahrenheit.