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California Gardening

My Sign to Hibernate, 100 degrees

16 years ago

The 100 deg. was a bit tardy this year, but accepted. I think I've got everything prepared for the hot weather that we get every summer, but of course you know, something was overlooked & will call for emergency measures. I'll be able to water very early in the a.m.'s, then catch up with set asided projects created during the winter.What else do you need to do to prepare for "HOT"?

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Comments (10)

stanofh 10a Hayward,Ca S.F. bay area
16 years ago
Mulch and water container plants twice a day.Place a saucer under ferns and other water lovers.Make plenty of ice tea!
CA Kate z9
16 years ago
Finish the deep watering of the edge-of-the-outland plants; and put down the rest of the mulch --- which I am hiring done as it's too much for this ol' lady.
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calpat
Original Author
16 years ago
I concurwith "stanoth" and add this: Don't go near some of the drug/retail stores that sell plants. I unfortunately just did and came home with 2 Verbenas & 2 Geraniums that should probably just have a decent burial and leave well enough alone. But oh no, Miss Save The World just had to save these plants. Ever wonder where the expression "dumber than dumb" came from, well I'm the "hint"! I may have to add a little something to the ice tea to get thru this.
red_sea_me
16 years ago
lots of long slow soaks with water, mulch, and even shadecloth for the youngest plants.

If ever there was a model to follow, I look to my cats. Sleep all day, "work" all night, if only I could survive on bugs and birds for my diet....

-Ethan
calpat
Original Author
16 years ago
My neighbor has strung her Xmas lights throughout her back yard so that she can go out in the p.m.'s to do her chores. This might work out for me, least I can do is give it a try. Any more suggestions?
lesdvs9
16 years ago
Hi Pat!
I go out early am if I've got something that needs doing.
It's hotter in the pm here almost. Though if I go out at night I might find the pests the toads are missing, but I'd probably be stepping on them instead.

I'm down to the occasional weed pulling and deadheading roses, dahlias and plucking dead daylilies off and and a little extra water here and there if needed on a rose or a plant.

Yep, it's hide out time. I spent all last summer outside in the heat working on the yards and flower beds, this summer the hard work is all done:) Come fall, work again.
davissue_zone9
16 years ago
Moan, I've been lazy and still have plenty to do before I can sit back and enjoy the yard. I'm going to be out there by flashlight in order to beat the heat and get everything finished! The spotted spurge and crabgrass are growing before my eyes, and I still have a lot of winter stuff to rip out and replace, darn it!
wanda
16 years ago
I've been cleaning out the yellow bulb foliage and pulling spring wildflowers that have gone to seed and are looking ratty making room for the summer stuff that's getting bigger every day. Making sure everything is deep watered once a week.
It hit 96 or 98 here today. It's supposed to be on a cooling trend now. I sure hope so, but whatever, from here on out, it will pretty much just be light maintenance (deadheading, fertilizing, light pruning, etc.) and lots of contemplation about fall/winter projects.

wanda
wetfeet101b
16 years ago
This is the time I usually apply ant repellent and bug killers around my house as the critters try to escape the heat and move into my house. They know that we run the A/C in the summer lol.
youreit
16 years ago
So far, today is the hottest day of the year in the Knights Landing area (Sac area), and we have no water. I'm willing my potted plants to be strong until I can get water to them, and my regularly watered plants will have to wait. No shower, either, so I'm hibernating not by choice, but as a community service to others. :D

Brenda

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