The Digging Fork
A Davis Garden Newsletter
July - August 2007
July
Planting Warm season annuals
Perennials
Can still plant, but need
to keep plants well
watered until established
Seeding Warm season vegetables:
These crops are best
see
direct seeded in garden
plant notes
in early July-
snap beans, cucumbers,
summer squash, and corn
Warm season annuals:
sunflowers, cosmos,
celosia, alyssum,
marigold, zinnia
Cool season vegetables:
Must shade seedlings!!
Brussels Sprouts,
rutabaga
Fertilize
Tomato hornworms - pick off
Pest &
Snails, slugs and earwigs
Disease damage –use baits or traps
Control Aphids -can spray off with
water and watch for
ladybugs
Tasks Summer pruning will
see reduce vigor for deciduous
plant notes trees and shrubs and help
control size.
Weed control continues
Stake dahlias and other tall
plants that need support
Cut back berries and tie
new canes to supports
Tall, fall bloomers like
mums, asters, perennial
sunflowers, etc. can be
cut to about 12” in early
July to encourage
branching and reduce
plant height. This may
delay the bloom time.
Water Water deeply and
infrequently to encourage
deep roots!!
Deep water trees and shrubs
Calendar layout thanks to Lyle Wilen
August
Warm season annuals
Perennials
Cool season edibles:
strawberries (if you can find
them), potatoes (early Aug.)
Can still plant, but need
to keep plants well
watered until established.
Cool season vegetables:
Must shade seedlings!!
broccoli, cabbage, leeks,
carrots, cauliflower and
romanesco, Florence
fennel, kale, lettuce, green
onions, parsnips, turnips
Perennials and cool season
annuals can be started in
trays. Plants to be set out
in the fall.
Citrus.
Look for nutrient
deficiencies – especially
iron and nitrogen.
Apply soil sulfur around
citrus and other acid loving
plants
(Will lower the pH of soil making
iron more available to plants. Mix
soil sulfur with top 6” of soil and
water well)
Same as for July.
Summer pruning – see July
Apricot trees should
only be summer pruned,
in Aug., to help control
Eutypa disease.
Divide and replant bearded
iris.
Weed control continues
Order cool season bulbs and
perennial plants for fall
planting (see article)
Same as July.
Voodoo lily’s 2 foot long flower Golden calla blooming
that stinks like rotten garbage in early June
Planting in the Heat of Summer
It’s Possible!
Spring and fall are the best times to plant but
summer planting can be done with special care.
Temperatures are high and plants are using more water
so the key is to have the roots spread out into the
surrounding soil. A smaller root system will establish
quicker but also dries out quicker and needs more
monitoring. Plants in 4” containers generally establish
quicker than 1 gallon plants.
It’s critical to water well after planting! Use a
gentle stream from a hose and water around and around
the plant, encouraging the soil to settle around the
roots. A gallon of water for a 4” plant is not too much-
two gallons would be better. The first watering of new
plants always takes a lot longer than you think it will.
After planting make sure a 2-3” layer of mulch is
placed around the plant. The mulch will keep the roots
cool and retain moisture in the soil. Do not rely on
your irrigation schedule used for established plants. A
new planting will not have the root system to survive
being watered every 5-7 days or longer. New plants
should be monitored almost everyday for a few weeks
and watered as needed. This ensures they are not being
over-watered or in most cases that the root ball isn’t
drying out. Some plants will wilt or look like they are
dying, but before reaching for the hose, check the
moisture level in the soil. The plants are stressed
because they cannot take up water fast enough but
usually look fine the next morning. Sometimes plants
are so stressed the foliage will die. Ignore the dead
leaves for now and look for new growth. Some plants
will be happy in about a week but others will take
many weeks to send roots into the surrounding soil.
To make sure new plants are not being overlooked,
mark them with colorful irrigation flags or just leave
the empty pot close by. Flags are available at most
hardware stores individually or in bundles (Hibbert
Lumber sells them individually for 11 cents each).
Marlene & Patricia’s Garden Workshops
Workshops are held in Patricia’s one acre country garden in
Davis. There is time to explore and ask lots of questions.
Cost of workshop $25. If you bring a friend or spouse the
cost is $20 per person. Class size is limited.
Vegetables for Cool Season
Fall -- date TBA
Fall Garden Cleanup and Planting
Fall -- date TBA
For more information or to register for workshops:
Call Patricia (530) 753-0607
or email TheDiggingFork@gmail.com
Amaryllis Giant squill
More local classes and workshops
Master Gardener Workshops:
Workshops are held at Woodland Community College
Compost and Worm Composting Demonstration
July 14, 8-10 am
The Backyard Orchard – Summer Pruning
July 14, 10-11 am
Information for fair and workshop (530) 666-8143
Davis Central Park Gardens
See the web site for plans, workshops and events.
http://www.centralparkgardens.org
Freesia ‘Opala’ Allium cowanii
2
It’s Time to Think About Fall
Planted Bulbs
Gardeners must think ahead! It seems we have just
cleaned up all the foliage from the spring blooming
bulbs (true bulbs, corms, rhizomes, tubers and tuberous
roots) and it is time to start thinking about ordering
more for fall planting. A little thought and planning
now will pay off when fall comes and planting begins.
Yes, it is perfectly acceptable to run down to one of
the local nurseries in October and grab some bulbs and
start planting – we all do it. The price will most likely
be higher than if ordered by mail and the selection is
never as great. Some mail order companies offer
discounts if your order is placed in summer. Ordering
with a few friends allows ordering in greater quantities
and lowering the price per bulb.
Not all bulbs do well in Davis. Tulips, for instance,
need winter chill which we seldom get. This is why
many people pre-chill their bulbs in the refrigerator 6
weeks before planting. Some companies will also pre-
chill bulbs before shipping. Most tulips will bloom
the first year, but you may not get a repeat bloom the
following year. Darwin hybrids, sometimes called
perennial tulips, are the most successful in Davis and
usually bloom for many years. They seem to need less
chill and don’t rot as easily in the summer.
Daffodils and narcissus do really well in Davis
and many varieties multiply and naturalize. By
planting more than one variety, the bloom can be
extended from about the first of February to the end of
March. Catalogs usually specify the bloom time as
very early, early, mid season, late and very late. A
couple very late varieties include ‘Camelot’ and
‘Geranium’.
Anemones are usually one of the first bulbs to
bloom, often in January. Plant them where you can
see them from the house. Anemones do not reliably
return each year but are worth planting.
Ranuculus take the most effort of all the bulbs
because they are dug up and replanted each year.
Ranuculus (and Anemones) should be planted late
September to early October which requires coaxing
mail order companies to send your bulbs as early as
possible.
Dutch iris, freesias and hyacinch all do well in
Davis. But try something new this year, planting some
of the lesser known bulbs. The Madonna lily, giant
squill, Spanish bluebells, amaryllis, Peruvian
daffodil, summer snowflake, Allium cowanii and
Anometheca laxa are all easy to grow and will
multiply each year.
Many California native Brodiaea and Allium
require summer dry conditions. However there are
varieties that do well in the garden and tolerate summer
watering.
 A couple of bulb sources: Plant notes!
McClure & Zimmerman 1-800-883-6998 Here is more information about some plants mentioned in this newsletter.
www.mzbulb.com
John Scheepers, Inc. 860-567-0838 Cool season bulbs:
www.johnscheepers.com Allium unifolium A true bulb. Pink flowering California native
onion that will tolerate summer water. 1-2’ tall. Sun.
Look online for many more bulb sources. Allium cowanii or A. neapolitanum ‘Cowanii’ True bulb.
White flowers, 18-24” tall, blooms in late winter. The flowers don’t
smell like onions, and cut well. Plant in sun or part shade. Multiplies.
amaryllis Hippeastrum hybrids True bulb. These bulbs are often
sold to force into bloom indoors in Dec. or Jan. After blooming they
can be planted in the garden (in sun to part shade) to bloom over a year
later in about May.
anemone Anemone coronaria Tubers. 10-18” tall, single and
double varieties. Soak bulb overnight before planting. Usually bloom
late January to February are good for cut flowers. These tubers, native
to the Mediterranean, don’t return reliably each year. Sun, part shade.
Anomatheca laxa South African corm. Coral or white flowers,
6-12” tall. Corms multiply and plant reseeds. Sun to part shade.
Brodiaea or Triteleia Corms. California native that doesn’t like
summer water. ‘Queen Fabiola’ has blue-violet flowers that are good
for cutting and will tolerate a garden setting with summer water. Bulbs
multiply and plant reseed. Sun.
daffodils and narcissus Narcissi True bulbs. ‘Camelot’ is
golden yellow and late blooming. N. tazetta ‘Geranium’ also blooms
Daffodil ‘Camelot’ Narcissi tazetta ‘Geranium’ late and has 3-5 white and light orange flowers per stem. Both are
about 18”tall. Sun. Great cut flowers.
Dutch iris Iris True bulb found in many colors, 2’ tall. Will
multiply. Sun, cut flowers.
Plant sales and events freesia Freesia Corms. From South Africa with flowers that are
Yolo County Fair very fragrant, 12-18” tall. Sun to part shade, will multiply.
hyacinths Hyacinthus orientalis Very fragrant flowers in many
August 15-19 Woodland. Many plant related exhibits. colors are 8-12 “ tall. Sun. May not reliably return the following year.
UCD Arboretum Plant Sales Use gloves when handling bulbs as some people have a reaction.
October 6 --the biggest sale of the year giant squill, Caribbean Lily or Cuban Lily Scilla peruviana
For information www.arboretum.ucdavis.edu True bulbs, lavender or white flowers. A Mediterranean native that
blooms for a long time. 12” tall. Plant in sun.
California Native Plant Society Plant Sale golden calla Zantedeschia elliottiana Rhizomes. Leaves spotted,
Sept 22 in Sacramento plant grows 2-3’ tall. Plant in sun to light shade.
For information www.SacValleyCNPS.org Madonna lily Lilium candidum True bulbs. Foliage emerges in
the fall and blooms about May. White flowers, 4-5’ tall.
Davis Library Book Sale Peruvian daffodil Hymenocallis narcissiflora or Ismene
calathina True bulb from Peruvian Andes. Flowers are white or
August 3 to 5 light yellow (‘Sulphur Queen’) blooming in July. Sun to part sun.
For information 757-5593 ranunculus Rananculus asiaticus These tuberous roots are soaked
Build up your garden library with used books for $1-$3 a few hours and planted with prongs down in late Sept.- early Oct.
On Sunday, a large brown shopping bag full of books is $3. After blooming in spring, the tuberous roots are dug and stored -- to be
soaked, divided and replanted each fall. Many colors available. Sun,
18” tall, great cut flowers.
summer snowflake Leucojum aestivum True bulbs. White
flowers tipped in green that blooms early spring, 24” tall. Sun to part
shade, bulbs multiply.
Spanish bluebell Scilla campanulata or Hyacinthoides
hispanica True bulbs. Native to Spain, Portugal and North Africa.
About 12-20” tall with bell shaped flowers in blue-violet, pink or white
are great for cutting. Sun or part shade. Multiplies.
spring starflower Ipheion uniflorum True bulb from Argentina.
Blue or white flowers about 8” tall. Sun to part shade, bulbs multiply.
tulips Tulipa True bulbs. The most successful in Davis are Darwin
Hybrids, often called perennial tulips. 20-24” tall. Sun to part shade.
Great cut flowers but cut stems continue to grow in the vase.
voodoo lily or dragon arum Dracunculus vulgaris Dark
burgundy flower is 18-24” long on a 3’ tall plant. It stinks for a couple
days to attract flies. The stem and foliage are unusual. Sun.

Cool season vegetables:

Anemone--De Caen strain
Seeds can be sown directly in the garden in the summer for
a fall crop. Shade seedlings and keep them well watered
until established. Plants can also be started in trays to be
Summer snowflake
transplanted in Sept. and Oct.

3
 More gardening tips!
Photos data bases. Sometimes it’s nice to look up photos
of plants you have heard about or seen in someone’s garden.
Below are a couple sources for photo data bases.
http://plants.usda.gov/gallery.html
This data base has about 30,000 + images.
looking up Anomatheca laxa.
http://calphotos.berkeley.edu/flora/
This data base has many plants native to California
and some that aren’t. Try looking up Allium unifolium.
The Yolo Gardener is a new quarterly publication put out
by the Yolo County Master Gardeners. To view the
summer edition :
https://ucce.ucdavis.edu/mg/users/documents/6215The_Y
olo_Gardener11791.pdf
Master Gardeners can answer your questions
Hotline 530-666-8737
E-mail mgyolo@ucdavis.edu
Drop-in Tuesdays and Fridays 9-11 am
70 Cottonwood St. Woodland
Davis Farmers Market Saturday mornings
Nitrogen and iron deficiencies. Many plants are
showing signs of nutrient deficiencies this time of year. If a
plant needs nitrogen, the new leaves are usually green and
the older, lower leaves are yellowing. The plant will move
any available nitrogen to the new growth. Lack of iron is
shown more in the new leaves with yellowing between the
green veins. This is called iron chlorosis. Our soil has
plenty of iron but because of the soil pH, it isn’t available to
the plants. To lower the pH of the soil, making the iron
available, soil sulfur can be worked into the top 6” of soil
and watered well. The change in the pH can take many
months depending on the soil’s microorganisms, moisture
and temperature. For acid loving plants susceptible to iron
deficiencies add soil sulfur regularly.
Iron deficiency on strawberry plant Spurge weed
Mulch. When adding mulch around woody plants it is
important to keep the mulch away from the trunk to avoid
crown rot and other problems. Care should also be taken
with herbaceous plants that have a crown, as all the new
leaves emerge from this area. Covering the crown with
mulch will probably kill the plant. The ground hugging,
weedy spurge tends to germinate in bare ground without
mulch. Mulching will help control this weed.
How to tell if a plant is over-watered or under-
watered. In both cases the plant may wilt. A plant that
needs water will start to look dull and sometimes bluish-gray
before wilting. If a plant is over-watered, the roots can’t get
air because the soil is waterlogged. In this anaerobic state,
the plant cannot perform basic functions. The roots start to
die, and the foliage yellows and begins to drop.
Try
Peruvian daffodils bloom in July Spanish bluebells with Darwin
hybrid tulip ‘Elizabeth Arden’
Summer Pruning To reduce vigor, deciduous trees and
shrubs can be pruned mid summer after they have produced
most of their season’s growth. This will reduce the leaf area
which will reduce photosynthesis and the amount of food the
plant receives, slowing growth. Suckers and water sprouts
can be pruned now, too. Fruit trees are often summer pruned
to keep them smaller in a home garden setting. Care should
be taken to avoid exposing the fruit, and limbs to sunburn
damage. Don’t prune flowering deciduous trees and shrubs
that bloom in the spring on last year’s wood because they
are now setting buds for next spring’s bloom. These were
best pruned after the bloom.
Madonna lily in Patricia’s garden getting ready to open.
Newsletter created by:
Marlene Simon -- UCD graduate in Horticulture
Patricia Carpenter -- Garden Design and Education,
with 30 years of Davis gardening experience.
The bi-monthly newsletter is free if received by email. If mailed,
the cost is $15 per year. To be added to the subscription list or to
unsubscribe, contact us at: TheDiggingFork@gmail.com