GARDEN FANATIC: Not too soon for end of summer

“To everything there is a season … “ – The Bible

“A change in the weather is sufficient to recreate the world and ourselves.” – Marcel Proust

The season of tourists (also called summer) is nearly over in Laguna, marked by the closing of the festivals, the last performance of the pageant, and the observance of Labor Day. The first tangible result of the end of summer is the availability of parking downtown again.

Although the days are becoming noticeably shorter, the unseasonably warm and sticky weather has left most of us in an unwanted state of inelegance. This includes the garden: rank growth, spent flowers, powdery mildew, sooty mold, aphids, and spider mites must be dealt with in this type of weather. In the meanwhile, let’s get back to the garden with the Plant Man.

Q. I have planted Better Boy tomatoes and they are huge and have plenty of fruit, but the leaves at the bottom of some of the plants are turning yellow and getting dry. I water about every other day. They get plenty of afternoon sun and I have not fertilized as of yet. What’s up?

A. It is natural for tomato plants to lose some of their bottom leaves during the season. They should be fertilized once a month, with a general purpose/vegetable product. Water should be applied to a depth of two inches a week; as the fruit ripens, you should try to cut down on the watering, to avoid “watery” tomatoes

Q. I have just planted a “Gold Kist” apricot. When do I prune it?

A. Pruning occurs during the winter, right after the leaves have dropped. You won’t have much time to wait, because the apricot is one of the first to bloom. Young trees are generally pruned lightly, to encourage an upright, natural habit of growth and first crops that will insure proper spread.

Fruit is borne on spurs that form on the prior year’s growth, they will remain fruitful for about four years. The ultimate goal is to keep a balance between fruiting spurs and new growth (to produce next year’s spurs and to replace old, exhausted spurs).

Q. Plant Man, when can I buy bulbs?

A. Bearded iris, watsonia, sparaxis, ranunculus, anemone, narcissus, daffodils, and more will soon be available at your favorite nursery. Buy early for best selection.

Q. Dear Plant Man: Can I plant vegetables now?

A. Tomatoes, eggplant, cucumber, and zucchini are available and are good choices for September.

Q. Plantman. Can I sunburn my indoor plants?

A. Yes you can. Sun scald can occur when a plant is exposed to more intense sunlight than it can tolerate. Plants vary in their ability to withstand direct sunlight. Symptoms include leaf tissue which lightens or turns gray, and the condition can be exacerbated when plants are too dry. Always ask your local nursery person if a new houseplant is sun sensitive.

Q. Help! My rose leaves look like they are scorched on the bottom. What can I do?

A. The fact that the problem is on the undersides of your rose leaves probably indicates spider mites. These mites, related to spiders, suck sap from leaves and results in the removal of chlorophyll, and a “scorched” or stippled look to the leaves. Washing them off with water twice a week usually gives good control. If the problem is advanced, I would recommend spraying a pesticide containing Acephate for best control.

Q. Mr. Plantman. I’m tired of my summer flowers. Is it too early to plant pansies?

A. The growers believe that it’s time to plant certain fall flowers, because they’re shipping pansies and violas in quantity now. However, pansies and violas should only be planted in morning or filtered sunlight prior to Indian Summer.

The majority of the tourists have finally returned home, so I would like to be done with the flies and mosquitoes next. I believe that Catharine is the only person who dislikes flies more than I do. So be gone, summer, I’m over you. I’m ready for some cooler temperatures. While I’m waiting, would you please pass the limonada. Hasta luego.