California Garden

A Cultural Calendar of Care

to water plants when there are no rains; keep plants moist NOT WET.
to mulch with a top dressing to protect roots.
to practice good housekeeping—clean all pots and plantings of dried leaves, dead wood, and spent blooms.
to cut back especially if new growth appears.
to repot those that need it.
to feed once a week with % strength of an all-purpose plant food or half strength if feeding twice a month or full strength if you only feed once a month.
to start spray program to control pests and disease.
to start sprouting the beautiful tuberous begonias.
to start new plants from leaves or cuttings.

to repot plants—leaving 2/3 of roots and the soil intact; gently brush soil from roots so not to tear new growth.
to shape root system to conform to shape of container.
to graft deciduous trees.
to watch watering because of the lack of rains.
to start feeding in April.
to watch the sun on the trees in order to prevent scorching the new growth of deciduous trees just putting out new growth.

to repot plants if overgrown or root-bound; use screen in bottom of pot with gravel or broken clay pieces to avoid washing out soil and nutrients.
to groom plants for shows and the fair.
to propagate plants by division or cuttings.
to watch out for pests such as mealy bugs underleaves; eliminate with equal parts alcohol and water dabbed on with cotton swab.
to start watering as plants start new growth.
to fertilize with 10-10-10 to promote flowering.

to maintain a regular watering program.
to maintain a regular spray program and dust chlorodane under and around the plants
to discourage leaf beetles, to continue to transplant those bushes not done last month.
to remember NOT to fertilize a newly transplanted bush but to water well and often with a Vitamin B-1 Solution.
to feed iron every other month to promote a healthy deep green.
to plant new plants while they still are in bloom.

to place tubers into starting material and place in a warm spot to sprout; watch moisture so tuber will not rot.
to prepare ground for planting by adding humus and fertilizers especially super-phosphates and potash.
to drive the name stake when planting tuber in the ground.
to plant sprouted tuber after two or three weeks—dig hole six inches deep, place tuber with sprout up about two inches from stake—cover with two inches of soil and then water.
to keep planted tubers moist but not wet; fill hole as plant grows.
to protect new growth from snails.

to feed your plants with low nitrogen fertilizer as buds are forming.
to watch for snails and put out bait.
to check for mealy bugs—use rubbing alcohol on cotton swabs to remove.
to check trellises and branches to make sure they are secure and buds not pushed against the trellis.
to keep moist—also spray branches to clean off the dust.
to clean off dried branches and add new mulch if needed.

to take cuttings of any soft, fresh green growth that may be available.
to prune hanging baskets to the inside edge of the container.
to fertilize with slow release fertilizer.
to mist actively growing fuchsias with 1/5 strength solution of liquid fertilizer on a daily basis if lush results are desired.
to pinch the central growing tip of new growth to promote a full bushy plant.
to clean up any debris on plants or in containers to prevent fungus or rot.
to spray with a systemic insecticide to prevent white fly and thrips.
to check stakes and retie upright plants that have outgrown their supports.

to pinch your plants to force outside shoots.
to spray for white fly and aphids—use malathion.
to prune and pinch plants to shape and make a bushier plant.
to check those in pots for repotting and move to next size larger.
to groom by removing dead leaves and blossoms.
to feed with a balanced fertilizer Vs strength and use twice as often as package directions.
to water sparingly, but have a regular program.

to apply systemic insecticide to control aphids and thrips.
to fertilize with a low-nitrogen all purpose or liquid fish fertilizer.
to water more often as the season has been dry.
to give Japanese and Louisiana iris acid food in the water; you can use camellia type fertilizer.

to water thoroughly as plants are growing rapidly now.
to feed with liquid fertilizer.
to watch for aphids—spray with water to wash off or use a systemic such as cygon to assist in preventing thrips also.
to check for possible early inch worms and treat with malathion or Sevin—be sure
to use the powder on new growth as the liquid may burn the foliage.
to use a preventative spray for mildew.
to give each bush % cup of blood meal just before buds start to show color— this will intensify the color of blossoms.

to plant transplants— brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, celery, broccoli, kale, onions, lettuce, collards.
to start seeds in a protected place and transplant in April or May—beans, corn, cucumber, eggplant, pepper, summer squash.
to plant transplants and cover to retain warmth of cucumber, eggplant, pepper, tomatoes, squash.
to plant bulbs or cloves of onions and garlic.

to divide chrysanthemums—take cuttings from old plants and make divisions.
to set out annuals such as zinnias, pansies, marigolds and petunias for fast growth and spring color.
to prune those flowering trees and shrubs after bloom is done and mulch with leaf mold and manure—water well.
to mulch and reseed lawns if necessary.
to feed lawns under trees—these areas may require frequent feedings since the tree takes so many nutrients from the soil itself.
to plant new avocado trees for shade or fruit as the danger of frost passes.