• February is Time to Plant Bulbs, Bare Root Trees in So. Cal. - Friday, January 29, 2010 at 1:48 PM
  • Whether February brings buckets of rain or drought conditions to Southern California, there is much to plant now for beautiful spring and summer gardens, says experts at Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of earth-friendly soil products made from recycled green material from more than 50 Southern California communities.

    Summer Bulbs: Time to pull out summer bulbs from the refrigerator and plant them. These bulbs include tulips, crocus, gladiolus, calla lily, caladium, amaryllis, daffodils and delphiniums. Stagger your gladiolus planting so you will get new blooms throughout summer. Some bulbs can be purchased and planted without the chilling process and should be in stock at nurseries. They include Dutch iris, lily, gladiolus and begonia. Bulbs may start to grow early if the winter is mild. Don't worry--growing bulbs can withstand cold and even freezing temperatures.

    Last Chance to Plant Bare Root Trees: February is typically your last opportunity to purchase and plant bare root trees, including roses. For existing rose bushes, prune to encourage fuller springtime growth. Using a sharp tool, begin at the base of the bush and cut limbs at 45-degree angles, one-fourth inch above a bud. Make sure the cuts are clean, not jagged. Strive to open the center of the plant to let in light and air circulation. Remove dead branches and straggly branches.

    Deciduous Trees: Deciduous trees require cold temperatures during winter to produce flowers and fruit in spring and summer. These trees include hardwood such as poplars, birches, maples and oaks, and fruit trees including apricots, peaches, plums, apples, pears and cherries. If rain is light during February, make sure the trees are well watered. Water is needed now so they can begin to produce leaves and blossoms March.

    Pop in Color: Fill in garden bare spots with spring color plants already in bloom in four-inch or quart pots. Pansies will last until summer. Violas and primrose, snapdragons, calendulas and primroses provide good winter and spring blooms.

    Plant Tomatoes: In warmer inland areas plant tomatoes at the end of February. You can expect to see fruit by Memorial Day.

    Plant an Herb Garden: Mild winters enable Southern California gardeners to begin planting herbs in February. Plant chive, cilantro, dill, fennel, mint and parsley even if more rain is in the forecast.

    Upgrade Your Gardening Equipment: Gardening equipment upkeep is sometimes neglected during the prime growing months. Winter is a good time to clean and sharpen shears and replace belts and oil in trimmers and lawn mowers so your tools are ready to go for spring.

    For more gardening tips, go to www.agromin.com.

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  • September is Time to Plant Fall And Winter Flower And Vegetable Gardens - Tuesday, August 25, 2009 at 4:13 PM
  • 4While most gardeners around the country are winding down their gardens for the year, Southern California gardeners can plant a fresh crop of vegetables and blooms in September and October for enjoyment during fall and winter, says Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of premium soil products and one of the state's largest green materials recycling companies.

    Prepare Your Soil For Fall Flowers: Remove annuals. Break up and till the soil and generously add compost or organic planting mix. You may want to wait a week or two before adding fresh plants. This will give weeds enough time to germinate. Remove the weeds while they are small so they will be less of a headache later on.

    Plant Your Winter Flower Garden: Begin planting your fall and winter flower garden towards the end of September. While blasts of hot, Santa Ana winds will blow from September through November, September nights are generally cool and days pleasantly warm--perfect growing conditions. Your fall garden can include calendula, delphiniums, larkspur, Iceland poppy, pansies, snapdragon and stock. In shady areas, plant primrose, daisies and cineraria.

    Trim Perennials: Perennials are beginning to lose their summer luster. Trim excess plant growth and remove sagging summer flowers.

    Plant Wildflowers: Instead of scattering wildflower seeds on the surface of the soil and hope they will grow, for best results, rake the soil gently, spread the seeds and cover lightly with soil. The seeds will begin to germinate once wet weather arrives.

    Plant Spring Bulbs: Spring bulbs will soon be available at local nurseries. Now is the time to plant bulbs for such plants as tulips, daffodils and hyacinth.

    Plant Your Vegetables: When summer vegetable plants stop producing a robust crop (late September or October), remove the plants and replace them with vegetable plants that will produce through winter. Cool weather vegetables include cabbage, peas, broccoli, lettuce and green onions.

    Prepare for the Santa Ana Winds: Santa Ana winds can wreck havoc on newly planted trees, shrubs and gardens. New, shallow root systems can't replace water as fast as water is drawn from leaves by the winds. The winds can devastate a garden in a matter of days if water is not provided. When winds kick up, be prepared to quickly get out the garden hose and give your plants the moisture they need.

    For more gardening tips, go to www.agromin.com.

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  • Harvest Your Summer Vegetables in August While Planning For Fall and Winter Crops - Monday, August 3, 2009 at 2:41 PM
  • August is the time to enjoy tasty homegrown vegetables and fruits, and take pleasure in the beauty of green plants, trees and flowering annuals. It's also time to plan your fall and winter gardens, says Agromin, an Oxnard-based manufacturer of premium soil products and one of the state's largest green materials recycling companies.

    Pick Your Summer Vegetables: Even with a modest garden, summer vegetables are in abundance and ripening continuously in August. You may have run out of recipes for all your zucchini and squash, but pick them regularly even if you don't plan to use them immediately. This will stimulate new growth so that the plants continue to produce into fall.

    Plant Your Fall and Winter Vegetables: Plant seeds or starter plants of fall and winter vegetables such as green onions, carrots, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, mustard, radishes and beets. The seeds and young plants will benefit from August's warm soil. For seeds, the germination process greatly increases in warm soil, than in the cooler soil of fall and winter.

    Plant Cool Season Annuals: You can also get a jump on your winter flower garden by planting seeds for cool season annuals. These annuals include calendula, delphiniums, pansies and snapdragon.

    Garden Maintenance: To ensure your garden looks its best, set aside time each week to spruce up your garden by removing dead flowers from rose trees and other flowering plants. Keeping up on flower removal will help trees flower longer. Trim and shape fast growing trees and bushes. Pull weeds while they are small and before they have the opportunity to go to seed. If the seeds are allowed to germinate, you will be battling new weeds next year. Plus, weeds steal nutrients from plants and sometimes attract insects that can harm the garden.

    Water Smart: Deep watering will help plant roots grow farther into the ground where there is more moisture than near the surface. A quick watering every few days is a waste of water as the water evaporates quickly before it can reach a plant's roots. Make sure the soil is moist at least three to four inches below the surface.

    For more gardening tips, go to www.agromin.com.

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