Whether you live in the high desert (above 4,500 feet) or the low desert, there are mid-summer chores that need doing now.
Summer temperatures differ considerably between high and low deserts. Knowing what to do when can help give you healthier and more productive gardens.
Low Desert
You can plant some specific shrubs and trees now.
- Red bird of paradise (Caesalpinia pulcherrima)
- Fairy Duster (Calliandra eriophylla)
- Bougainvillea (Bougainvillea spp.)
However, remember that summer is not the best time to plant anything. Fall, early spring and winter are best times for planting.
For established bougainvillea plants, cut back on water now. This will encourage new blooms.
Apply iron chelate to bottle brushes and pyracantha.
You can also transplant palms now.
In the early morning, hose off roses and other plants susceptible to spider mites. This will also help increase humidity in the plants’ microclimates.
Do not pruneany citrus plants now, even if you think they absolutely need pruning. Pruning now will stress the plants, and they may not ever recover.
Water roses deeply now.
High Desert
Harvest herbs now. (Using scissors, cut the lusher ends from the plants.)Make sure you harvest them before they flower.
Dry, desiccating desert winds and drought can really scorch the leaves of trees and shrubs and cause them other injuries as well. Broad-leaf plants will have brown or tan scorch on their leaves. Conifers will display brown needles or dead tips.
If you’re getting more than your share of rain this time of year, check plants like:
- Partridge feather (Tanacetum),
- Horehound (Marrubium) and
- Wooly Thyme (Thymus praecox) for rot.
Whether you live in the high or low desert, remember to never, ever, apply fertilizer to dry soil. Wet the soil first or immediately after application.
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