ArtCentrics


July Monthly Update

Hot Topic

Fruit & Nut Tree watering - Summer can really stress out the garden as well as the fruit and nut trees. Make sure that your irrigation system is set-up properly to water your trees deeply every 7 - 10 days down to 3ft. The irrigation system should be set-up along the edge or drip line of the tree's root system as water uptake is done through the end of the roots that will be located at the edge of the tree's canopy. Citrus trees, in general, require a lot of water, refer to the citrus watering guide for more information. Symptoms of too little water include, dry soil, older leafs turn yellow or brown and drop off, leaves are wilted or curled. Symptoms of too much water include, constantly damp soil, new leaves become yellow, leaves are green but brittle, algae or mushrooms are growing around the tree.

Resources
University of Arizona: Irrigating Citrus Trees

Do List

  • Check for proper irrigation. Vegetables to 1′, small-medium shrubs 2′ and trees to 3′ deep. Use a soil probe (long thin metal device like a long screw driver) to check water depth (probe should easily penetrate in moist soil and stop at dry soil).
  • Water trees (special attention to deciduous) deep (down to 3ft) and every 7 – 14 days.
  • Apply mulch to keep roots cool and reduce evaporation.
  • Place shade cloth (no more than 50%) over tomato & pepper plants.
  • Apply chelated iron to plants that exhibit an iron deficiency/chlorosis.

Don’t List

  • Do not expose citrus and other sun sensitive plants to sunburn by pruning during the summer.

Planting

Note: White font listed items identify "Ideal" planting time items
  • Vegetables
    • Seeds
      • beans (pinto & snap), corn, armenian cucumbers, cucumbers, melons (cantaloupe & musk), pumpkin, winter squash
    • Transplants
      • tomato, peppers
  • Herbs
    • None for July
  • Flowers
    • Cosmos, Hollyhock, Purslane, Sunflower, Vinca, Zinnia
  • Fruit
    • Cantaloupe/Muskmelon
    • Transplants
      • all sub-tropical

Recipes of the Month

  • Dilly Cucumber Salad – Very quick summer salad and great made with Armenian cucumbers. Add a little extra dried dill to garnish.