Southern California Garden Guide: Planting, Maintenance, Pest Control

PLANTING

Bulb Covers

Mark bulb locations by planting annuals directly over them—this also hides yellowing foliage later. Good choices: forget-me-nots, lobelia, dwarf snapdragons, sweet alyssum, violas.

Cool-Season Crops

In frost-free areas, plant broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, and other cole crops. Remove a few bottom leaves from seedlings and plant deeply (up to the leaves, like tomatoes). Sow seeds or plant seedlings of arugula, beets, carrots, celery, cilantro, lettuce, onions, parsley, parsnips, peas, radishes, rutabagas, spinach, turnips.

Daylilies

These outperform roses with the right varieties. Guaranteed fall performers: yellow 'Bitsy'; red 'Frankly Scarlet' and 'Hot Lips'; orange 'Leebea Orange Crush' or 'Terra Cotta Baby'.

Shallots

Gourmet crop, sweeter than onions or garlic. Source bulbs from Territorial Seed Company (www.territorialseed.com or 541/942-9547).

Spring Bulbs

Continue planting anemones, babiana, daffodils, Dutch irises, freesia, ipheion, ixia, ranunculus, sparaxis, watsonia.

MAINTENANCE

Divide Tubers and Bulbs

If agapanthus, callas, clivia, daylilies, irises are overcrowded and blooming poorly, dig and divide. Lift with a spading fork; cut clumps into sections with a sharp knife, pruning shears, or shovel.

Feed Roses for Final Bloom

Deadhead and fertilize after fall bloom for a holiday bloom cycle. Or let hips form for winter interest and bouquets.

Prune Tropicals

Bird of paradise, canna, ginger will slow growth for winter. Cut flowered stems to the ground.

Reset Sprinklers

As weather cools, keep irrigation duration the same but increase days between waterings.

PEST CONTROL

Guard Against Snails and Slugs

Use collars or copper strips around vulnerable seedlings/beds. Handpick early morning from strappy-leafed plants (agapanthus, daylilies, New Zealand flax). If using bait, choose iron phosphate (e.g., Sluggo) safe for pets/wildlife.

Protect Cabbage Crops

Cabbage loopers (green caterpillars) damage broccoli, cabbage, kale. Cover with floating row covers immediately after planting, or dust with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to kill young larvae.