Spring temperatures are still hanging around even though it is almost the end of June. Not that I’m complaining, mind you. In the desert, it’s not often you can work in the yard all day without breaking a sweat. This has been an unusual year. Just this morning, my outside temperature was 59 degrees. Delightful.
Summer is the time to focus on sprinklers and a proper watering schedule. With MM’s help, we’ve got this handled. I’m happy to report that both Oliver and Wookie have outgrown their taste for drip emitters. With an abundant apricot crop hanging on the trees, they’re waiting for the first one to drop.
This time of year comes with a warning to pet owners. Apricot pits are considered toxic to dogs. After reading about this I found they would need to eat 10 of them to get in trouble. I would assume they would need to be chewed up, as well. Cyanide poisoning can occur. If you have apricot, cherry, or peach trees and pets, please watch their behavior.
According to the internet–
If your dog ingests cyanide, symptoms can begin as early as 15 minutes afterwards or may not begin for a few hours. Symptoms can include:
- Watery eyes
- Vomiting
- Drooling
- Right red mucus membranes
- Convulsions which can lead to death
- Aggression
- Bloody stools
- Spasms of different limbs
- Weakness
- Urinary incontinence
- Seizures
- Abnormal breathing
- Diarrhea
If these symptoms occur, get to the vet, immeidiately.
Now, that being said, animals are pretty smart. Oliver doesn’t eat the pits. Maybe this is because his throat is too small. He spits them out in nice little piles. He loves apricots and there are always a few on the ground. Of course, Oliver eats plastic solar lights and rocks, too. He’s not a normal dog. But then, we’ve established that.
With July 1st arriving on a Saturday, it’s the perfect time for some real gardening. Trim up limbs that are in the way. Remember any young trees and make sure they’re getting enough water.
The picture above shows the healthy base of a tree. The major roots should be apparent and spread away from the tree. If your tree is surrounded by plastic or garden cloth, trim it away from the base of the tree and mulch as pictured above.
If your plastic or garden cloth looks like this (as mine did), your tree isn’t very happy about it. It might try to commit suicide with girdling roots. Let your roots breathe. This also creates the perfect environment for destructive beetles and fungus.
As your roses are blooming, be sure to trim away the dead blossoms. If you don’t deadhead your rose, it will put energy into producing hips – these are rose seed pods. Deadheading means that the rose is instead encouraged to put energy into growing more flowers, keeping your rose in bloom and looking fantastic. Dead blooms can also be unsightly to look at, ruining the effect of the whole plant in flower.
Try to keep ahead of all the weeds. I’m enjoying the benefits of an early spring application of Preen, a pre-emergent. Use this only where you won’t be planting seeds. Sprinkle in the granules and then water. It doesn’t work for every variety, but it certainly does work for many. If you missed your opportunity, clean up the area and then apply.
As you enjoying your garden, no matter how large or small, look for those plants that aren’t thriving. It might be that a rose isn’t getting enough full sun, or that the Hosta’s are getting too much. Maybe your plant is getting overwatered or isn’t receiving enough. Check the underside of the leaf for insects or fungus. Slowly, you’ll get to know your yard.
If you aren’t sure what kind of plant you have, download the free app called “Picture This” on your smart phone. By simply taking a picture on the app, your plant will be identified, along with growing information. After watching MM use this app, we have yet to find an incorrect identification. Pretty amazing. Extremely helpful when gardening or purchasing new plants.
Some plants are not meant to grow in the environment they were sold. Our Lowe’s sells hydrangea and hibiscus bushes. Really?????????
Summer is the time for harvesting. With a bumper crop of fruit, MM and I are considering our options. We plan to can, freeze, and dehydrate a good portion of our crop. Family and friends can come pick some. Then, we might try selling our excess produce at the local farmer’s market. Next year, that may be a new source of income. The greenhouse will be fully functional by then.
Remember, it’s a great time to plan for next year. With the cost of everything going up, it’s nice to budget for major yard expenses. After three years as the head gardener here at Winterpast, I’m just now replacing missing plants. It’s been an expensive and time consuming endeavor to clean up, repair, remove dead trees, and trim the healthy ones. By planning a garden budget, it will continue to look better and better.
All these things involve lots of research. If you get stumped on a certain problem, don’t forget your local garden center. When driving around, look for plants that are thriving in your own climate. This year, you can’t drive a block without seeing another beautiful rose bush in full bloom. With the beautiful weather and daily rainstorms, it’s been their year, for sure.
Whatever you do today, enjoy nature’s beauty. Open the curtains and look up at the sky once in awhile. Enjoying a crisp summer morning is one of life’s little pleasures. Get out there. Your yard is waiting on you.
More tomorrow.