Ask A Desert Gardener, September 2024
Hopefully the end of extreme summer temperatures has finally arrived! We now must begin the task of replacing, repairing, and preparing our “heat” damaged landscape for cooler Fall weather. Labor Day will be followed by additional labor weeks of getting back into our gardens so that our plants can again grow and flourish.
To accomplish this, our first activity is to apply a good quality fertilizer containing appropriate amounts of the building block nutrients for healthy plants: Nitrogen, Phosphorous, and Potassium. In addition, we should be providing specialized plant food for flowers, fruit trees, succulents and palms. These feedings should be start following Labor Day and continue twice through mid-October when the temperatures will be mild and root systems are active.
During June through August, because of excessive heat and drought, the pH level of the soil may have increased. High alkali levels can prevent root absorption of needed nutrients. A liberal application of sulfur will address this issue. I wait until it is going to rain so that I do not have to manually apply water afterwards to soak in the sulfur before it is blown away. This should be done annually.
It is important that your irrigation system is in running order since sun/heat damage may have occurred during the Summer. Look for wet spots in the soil or rocks after irrigation has ended. Also; remember to reset your irrigation controls for the Fall Schedule of three days per week.
Once you have completed these initial steps, it is time to address the needs of specific plants in your landscape.
- Prune off all dead and damaged parts of all plants. This will encourage robust new growth before colder temperatures arrive.
- Add calcium (bone meal) to soil around all cactus and succulents and reduce irrigation to 5 minutes each week.
- Heavily prune off dead blossoms, stems, and leaves on roses and other flowering plants and use a high content phosphorous (Super Bloom) to encourage new budding.
- Apply insecticide (topical and systemic) if infestation is apparent especially on succulents and rosemary bushes.
Have any questions? Contact me at: Theplantwhisperer28@gmail.com
Howard Galin is a University of Nevada certified Master Gardener and the Chair of the SCA Garden Club House Call Program.