Keep your garden thriving through the summer heat with these essential tasks:

General Maintenance

  • Water Early – Water deeply in the early morning to minimize evaporation.
  • Mulch Refresh – Reapply mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
  • Weed Control – Stay on top of weeds before they go to seed (make sure to pull out the root)
  • Pest Watch – Monitor for aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and leafhopper. Treat with organic neem oil as needed.
  • Deadhead Spent Blooms – Promote new growth and extend flowering.

Planting

  • Start Fall Veggies Indoors – Begin seeds for broccoli, cauliflower, kale, and lettuce indoors.
  • Sow Directly Outdoors – Cucumbers, zucchini, chives, Swiss chard, and basil can still be sown.
  • Plant warm-season veggies: beans, okra, eggplant.
  • Add Heat-Loving Annuals – Marigolds, zinnias, portulaca, zinnias, or celosia can take the heat.

Pruning & Cleanup

  • Cut Back Perennials – Trim overgrown or leggy perennials like lavender and salvia.
  • Prune – Pinch basil, deadhead flowers, trim herbs and lightly prune fruit trees.
  • Remove Spent Vegetable Plants – Clean up tired summer crops to prep for fall planting.

Fertilizing

  • Feed Citrus Trees – Apply G&B Organics Fruit & Citrus Tree fertilizer if not done in June/July.
  • Fertilize Container Plants – Nutrients leach out quickly; replenish every 2–3 weeks.
  • Compost Boost – Turn your compost and add kitchen scraps if it’s getting dry.

Lawn & Landscape

  • Mow High – Raise mower blade to protect roots from scorching.
  • Check Irrigation – Inspect drip lines and sprinklers for clogs or leaks. (Book a garden counseling appointment today to have one of our experts do this for you)
  • Plant Drought-Tolerant & Natives – Great time to plan for fall planting of natives like Toyon, Manzanita, Cleveland sage, California fuchsia, and Creeping Thyme.

Wildlife Friendly Tips

  • Refill Bird Baths – Keep them clean and full in hot weather.
  • Support Pollinators – Leave some herbs like basil or thyme to flower.

Tips for the Gardner

Beat the heat – work early or late, stay hydrated, and protect yourself from the sun.