34 JULY/AUGUST 2019 SUNSETNative choices include one-leaf
onion (Allium unifolium) and
pretty face (Triteleia ixioides).
If you buy in volume, try Van
Engelen Inc. (vanengelen.com);
they sell wholesale bulbs at
good prices.
PLANT
While big planting projects
should wait for fall’s rain and
cooler temperatures, fill in empty
spots in beds with summer color.
To increase visits from beneficial
insects, try calendulas, cosmos,
salvias, and sweet alyssum.
Keep your vegetable patch
cranking with succession sowing
of crops that don’t mind being
established in heat—including
beans, corn, and summer
squash. Gardeners socked in
with coastal fog can add car-
rots, kale, lettuce, and potatoes.
MAINTAIN
During hot weather, check
container plants frequently to
make sure they aren’t drying
out; they may need water daily.
Trees also need regular, deep
watering every few weeks—
even some natives, such as coast
redwoods, can look very scrag-
gly without irrigation. A notable
exception? Many kinds of native
oaks resent summer water.
Feed azaleas, blueberries, and
camellias that are showing an
iron deficiency. Telltale signs are
light-colored leaves with dark
green veins. Correct this with
an organic fertilizer specific to
these acid-loving plants.
Roses can fall prey to fungal
infections such as black spot or
rust in areas with summer thun-
derstorms or in coastal regions
that get summer fog. Fight back
using a nontoxic method: Pluck
off and discard any affected
foliage (do not compost), and
apply horticultural oil monthlyHARVEST
Zucchini and other sum-
mer squash are tastiest when
picked relatively young; do not
let the fruit linger on the vine,
or it will become too large and
fibrous.Southern
California
PLANT
Transplant warm-weather
lovers like basil, chard, cucum-
bers, kale, leeks, okra, melons,
New Zealand spinach, pump-
kins, squash, and white
potatoes.For summer color, plant annual
marigolds and zinnias, as well
as perennial coreopsis, gaura,
rudbeckias, and salvias. Plant in
early morning or late in the day,
and protect with shade cloth
when they first go in.MAINTAIN
Heavily mulch cultivated
areas and pathways with
organic matter. This cuts down
on weeds and watering and
keeps roots cool. Replenish this
layer as it deteriorates; be sure
to keep it off stems and trunks to
maintain good air circulation
and to avoid crown rot.Azaleas, fibrous begonias,
camellias, carnations, fuchsias,
gardenias, geraniums,“Add fl air to your container
garden by placing air
plants around the base of
succulents.”
THAD ORR, GARDEN EDITORHOME & GARDEN