What to do in your garden in August - Checklist: Northern California

Sunset, August, 2003

SHOPPING

* ORDER SPRING BLOOMERS. Sunset climate zones 7-9, 14-17: Now's the time to browse catalogs and order spring-flowering bulbs and perennials. Zones 1, 2: Make sure to specify that plants should be sent in time for September planting (in coldest, highest-elevation areas, wait until spring to plant).

PLANTING

* BABY LETTUCE. Zones 7-9, 14-17: Miniature romaine and butterhead lettuce are just the right size for a single salad. Heads grow quickly, so you can sow seeds successively a couple of weeks apart. 'Little Gem' romaine grows 5 to 6 inches tall. 'Tom Thumb', an English heirloom butterhead lettuce with a tight, solid head, grows 4 to 6 inches tall. Both are available from Territorial Seed Company (www.territorialseed.com or 541/942-9547).

* SHRUBS. Zones 7-9, 14-17: For a show of flowers that lasts from summer well into fall, try one of the following long-blooming shrubs or shrubby perennials: blue hibiscus, Brazilian plume flower, butterfly bush, cape fuchsia, lavatera, oleander, plumbago, princess flower, and a variety of salvias (hardiness varies; check to make sure the plant is adapted to your climate).

* SWEET PEAS. Zones 7-9, 14-17: For earliest bloom in spring, sow the Elegance series, which is bred to bloom significantly earlier than other sweet peas. New Elegance mixes in a variety of colors (sometimes called Early Elegance or Winter Elegance) will be available this fall. Also try knee-high Explorer Mix (crimson, light pink, navy blue, purple, rose, scarlet, and white flowers). Protect new growth from slugs and snails and provide trellis support for Winter Elegance. Look for packets on nursery racks from Renee's Garden or order directly (www.reneesgarden.com or 888/ 880-7228).

MAINTENANCE

* IRRIGATE LARGE ORNAMENTALS.

Large, deep-rooted shrubs and trees may need a deep soaking now, even if they're watered regularly by sprinklers or drip irrigation. (Those irrigation systems don't usually run long enough for water to penetrate the soil deeply.) Use a soaker hose, deep-root irrigator, or hose turned on slowly in a basin to moisten the soil under the drip line 12 to 18 inches deep (or deeper for really large trees and shrubs).

* PREPARE PLANTING BEDS. To get garden beds ready for fall planting, cultivate the soil at least 12 inches deep, then dig in a 2- to 3-inch layer of organic matter or compost.

* TEND ROSES. Zones 7-9, 14-17: For a second flush of bloom in fall, give roses plenty of water during the warm August days and feed them with a complete fertilizer. Also, apply iron chelate if leaves look chlorotic (yellow with green veins). Make certain the soil is moist before applying, and water thoroughly afterward. Snip off old blooms and rose hips; lightly shape plants if necessary.

* TRIM SHRUBS AND VINES. After a summer of growth, some plants may need a light trimming to stay shapely. Snip off long, wayward shoots and thin out interior growth, if necessary, but wait until the dormant season to do major pruning.

* WATER CITRUS. Irrigate newly planted citrus twice a week (more frequently during hot spells), established citrus every other week or so. In day soils, wait for top 4 to 6 inches of soil to dry between waterings.