Page 8 - Mid Valley Times 8-13-20 E-edition

Thursday, August 13, 2020 | A8 | Mid Valley TiMes
Garden Checklist: Fertilize now for the fall season
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The Garden Check- list is filled with tips and tricks for local gar- deners who wish to keep their greenery, flowers, and herbs looking beau- tiful all year long.
Take a stroll through your garden with a morning cup of coffee or tea. Tasks for this time of the year include collecting ripened seeds of favorites and store for next year.
Remember to start planning for fall. Select plants that are resistant to common diseases and insect pests and choose an appropriate site for each one. Stake tall or top heavy plants such as dahlias or lilies.
When pruning, re- member cutting and deadheading roses, prune lightly to shape bushes and encourage fall bloom. Prune apri- cot, oleander, and olive trees now to avoid future disease problems.
When fertilizing, re- member to apply a com- plete fertilizer to warm season lawns such as bermuda and zoysia at the rate of one pound of actual nitrogen per 1000 square feet of lawn.
When planting, re- member that perenni- als, carpet bugle, (Ajuga reptans) alstroemeria, columbine, (Aquilegia) Annuals, snapdragon (Antirrihinum) English daisy, Bellis perennis, bulbs, corms, tubers: gi-
ant allium, naked lady (Amaryllis belladonna) Aneomone blanda, pur- chase now, plant by Thanksgiving. Fruits and vegetables: broc- coli and cabbage. Trees, shrubs, vines: strawber- ry tree (Arbutus) bar- berry (Berberis)
Enjoy these now, an- nuals and perennials, yarrow (Achillea) floss flower (Ageratum) as- ter. Bulbs, corms, tubers, Autum crocus. Trees shrubs, vines, abulia, bluebeard, (Caryopteris) Fruits and vegetables, apples, beans, bell pep- pers, nectarines, sum- mer herbs. Things to ponder, if you don’t use your lawn area, consider replacing it with drought tolerant planting or a
vegetable garden. Pot- ted plants benefit from mulch to reduce evapo- ration and suppress weeds. Drought tip, as summer begins to wind down, adjust irrigation timers to reflect fall’s shorter days and cooler temperatures.
Source: Adapted from “A Gardener’s Companion for the Cen- tral San Joaquin Valley,” 3rd edition, currently available from Fresno County Master Garden- ers for $30.
Gardening Questions answered at (559) 241- 7534. Prepared by Judy Parker, Fresno County Master Gardener.
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Call Juanita Adame (559) 875-2511
From left, Reedley Police Sgt. Jesus Rivera, Ofc. Giovani Medina, and Ofc. Michael Velasquez.
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