Spring gardening begins with excitement and energy. As August arrives, plants and people experience a trial separation in hopes things work out. We choose air conditioning and shady patios when insufferable heat clobbers Sacramento.
It’s not our fault August gardening begats sloth and surrender. Gardens refuse to cooperate, shedding the lush greens of spring for the crispy browns of late summer.
Crushed by heat and decline, gardens struggle. Squash and cucumbers are distressed or dying from insect infestations or diseases. Tomatoes refuse to set fruit. Roses suffer wilting, leaf scorch and stunted bud development. Yes, plants can get sunburned.
Though it seems hopeless at times, there are important late-summer gardening activities that can be accomplished without breaking a sweat (well, almost).
This is an ideal month for thinking ahead. Decide on what you would like to plant for fall or winter gardens. Purchase seeds, bulbs, garlic, shallots and potatoes.
Planting seeds for fall and winter crops while temperatures sizzle sounds insane, yet this is a great time to start those seeds. Kale, leeks, radishes, beets, broccoli, carrots, cabbage, cauliflower and turnips can be directly seeded outdoors in August.
Some people are finished with serious gardening when summer concludes. But it’s wise to plan ahead for spring gardening. Once fall arrives, time seems to fast forward through the holidays. It’s not uncommon to begin March with a garden to-do list longer than Chinese long beans.
August isn’t kind to our beloved tomatoes, but not everyone is deprived of garden-grown tomatoes. Some tomatoes persist despite high temperatures. But most take a vacation and reappear in September and October.
To ensure you and not the birds, squirrels, hornworms and roof rats enjoy late summer’s precious orbs, harvest before they fully ripen. The sooner tomatoes are off the vine, the better.
Purists insist the best-tasting tomato is vine-ripened, but science disagrees. According to UC Agriculture and Natural Resources, there’s no significant difference in flavor during blind tastings. I sense a lot of head shaking here, but do your own taste test.
Once a tomato is about half ripened in color, pick it pink and place it in a dark corner of the kitchen. It will ripen and surprise you. Nothing is worse than allowing a beautiful tomato to ripen on the vine and then discovering the skin has split or an uninvited varmint has been snacking.
Shop for trees, shrubs and perennials and plant them this fall. Over-wintering new arrivals enables them to develop root systems before spring arrives. The head start can be substantial.
All August gardening should be in early morning or late evening. Inspect plants daily for signs of heat stress—crispy leaf edges, curling leaves and wilting. Water as needed.
Pace yourself, drink water, wear a brimmed hat and baste exposed body parts in sunscreen. It’s better for the plant to wilt than the human.
Fertilizing during hot spells is not recommended. New growth can further weaken already stressed plants.
HARVEST DAY
Should you read this column early in the month, consider attending Harvest Day on Saturday, Aug. 2, at Fair Oaks Horticulture Center in Fair Oaks. It’s a learning experience, fun and a break from gardening chores.
Guest speakers, mini-chats, vendors, food trucks, demonstration gardens and more begin at 8 a.m. and conclude at 2 p.m.
Featured speakers and topics are:
• “Looking to the Future: Plant Choices for a Changing Climate” with Rose Loveall-Sale and Karey Windbiel-Rojas, 8:30–9:15 a.m.
• “Community Wildlife Preparedness Fundamentals” with Katie Low, 9:45–10:30 a.m.
• “Growing Avocados and Subtropical Fruit Trees in Sacramento” with Quentyn Young, 11–11:45 a.m.
The event is free and hosted by University of California Master Gardeners of Sacramento County.
Dan Vierria is a University of California Cooperative Extension Master Gardener for Sacramento County. He can be reached at masterg29@gmail.com. For answers to gardening questions, contact UCCE Master Gardeners at (916) 876-5338, email mgsacramento@ucanr.edu or visit sacmg.ucanr.edu. Previous columns can be found and shared at InsideSacramento.com. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
