A Seasonal Approach

At Daily Acts we believe that a water-wise garden can still serve a variety of functions, providing habitat, medicine and food in addition to beauty. While the term water-wise garden has become synonymous with low maintenance, seasonal work is still required to keep these plants healthy and looking good year round. Here are some basic tips for tending to a diverse water-wise garden

Winter

• Good till the last harvest: enjoy picking the last of the ripening winter garden before turning these areas over for cover crops or laying fallow. Enjoy those cold winter months preserving your bounty.
• Weeds be gone: of course with the rain comes the weeds – be sure to get them when they are small to keep them from out-competing new plants for nutrients and other resources.
• Plant those perennials: this is the best time of year for planting drought tolerant perennials and native plants. It is the dormant season for most plants which will keep them from experiencing any transplant shock to their roots or water loss from there leaves with changing temperatures. It also allows you to cut down on watering by taking advantage of the rain.
• Broadcast seeds to every corner: many annual cover crops and wildflowers have a better chance of survival in the garden if they start there. Sow seeds after the first few heavy rains to ensure that there is ample moisture in the soil to support their root development, and be sure to provide supplemental watering in periods of drought.
• Mulch, mulch and more mulch: can be used to help with weed suppression, and can also help retain moisture in the soil. Be sure to keep it away from the crowns (where the roots hit the shoots) of the plants to avoid rot, especially for plants that die back annually.
• Fertilize and nourish: Remember to spread fertilizer around the drip line of your fruit trees with a nitrogen rich source during the winter. This is especially important for citrus which is just beginning to set fruit.
• Deadhead dance: move to the beat of the garden while performing this beneficial service to old flower stalks, grasses and fern fronds etc. While most deadheading is done in the fall, many flowers and seeds can provide much needed food in early winter for birds and other wildlife. Remember, much of what you prune can be propagated from cuttings, be sure to pot some up to use in your garden or share with friends. Any portions of the plant that are not good for propagation can be left on the ground to compost and add to the mulch layer.
• Fruit trees need a haircut too: most of our backyard fruit trees benefit from pruning while dormant, with the exception of Cherries and Apricots who require summer pruning. Winter prune to stimulate side shoots and round out the development of your primary and secondary canopies. Be sure to tend to your winter pruning before it gets too hot and the trees begin to break bud.
• Take notes: be sure to write down the little surprises and successes you had in the garden this fall, what species or varieties worked well where, in order to help you form a plan for next time.

Spring

• A little bit of water: it is always good to check on new additions to the garden and provide supplemental water, especially if we move from a wet winter into a dry spring.
• Make the beds: once spring has officially sprung and frost is a thing of the past, it’s time to get those planting beds ready for annual food crops. Amend with compost, worm castings, or turn under cover crops to release nutrients into the soil.
• Sow seeds of love: dust off those envelopes filled with yummy veggie and fruit seeds and begin propagating the seedlings that will bring your summer garden to life. Begin planting starts after the last frost, especially important for tomatoes, and any quick cycle annuals like peas and salad greens. Remember to add some mulch to exposed soil to help retain moisture in the soil, rice straw, coconut coir or shredded bark can work.
• Warm weather weeding: with sunshine comes the promise of more weeds in the garden. Get them before they flower and set seed to return the following spring.
• Add a little mulch here, a little mulch there: as the mulch breaks down throughout the season, it provides more nutrients in the soil which can also cause a flush of weeds. It is always good to replace broken down mulch in problem areas by adding a few more inches on top. Adding a new layer of mulch will also help hold in moisture in the soil to make watering events count.
• Take a little off the top: tip-prune shrubs to encourage bushing or shape and train vines while new growth is still tender and agile. Removing dead branches on shrubs and trees will provide more air circulation and encourage new growth. Be sure to prune during dry periods, as you will be leaving a wound behind that is prone to fungal infections if left wet.
• Thick and thin: if you are fortunate enough to have a productive season with an abundance of fruits on the tree, it is important to thin out excess fruit to allow for proper development and subsequent deliciousness to occur. Of course this also prevents the fruit laden limbs from breaking before it’s ripe.
• Enjoy the flowers: The first blooms in the garden are like a colorful feast after a desolate winter. Spend some time observing your hard work and noting what plants attract the most wildlife – they’ll be enjoying the feast too

Summer

• A little more water: most natives will require supplemental watering throughout their first year in a garden. After they have established a good root system most drought tolerant perennials can persist with very little water in the dry months. However, if you want to extend the blooming season for some plants, continued watering will help create a long colorful summer. Potted plants may also dry out quicker if your garden gets summer sun so be sure to water thoroughly.
• Deadhead dance: remove the old flowering stalks of spring time perennials. Cutting back some long flowering perennials species will encourage additional blooms and provide more color and food sources throughout the summer for our pollinators and nesters.Remember, much of what you prune can be propagated from cuttings, be sure to pot some up to use in your garden or share with friends. Any portions of the plant that are not good for propagation can be left on the ground to compost and add to the mulch layer.
• Fruit trees need a haircut too: most of our backyard fruit trees benefit from summer pruning to help control height and canopy size. This is especially true of Cherries and Apricots who do not respond well to winter time pruning.
• Thick and thin: if you are fortunate enough to have a productive season with an abundance of fruits on the tree, it is important to thin out excess fruit to allow for proper development and subsequent deliciousness to occur. Of course this also prevents the fruit laden limbs from breaking before it’s ripe.
• Good till the last harvest: enjoy picking the last of the ripening summer garden before turning these areas over for cover crops or laying fallow for the winter. Get ready for canning, pickling and preserving fun in fall.
• S.O.S (Save Our Seeds): if you want to expand your plant populations in your garden or establish a ‘seed bank’ you can collect seeds to spread around the garden after winter rains or store for later propagation.
• Fertilize and nourish: if you have any potted plants or raised beds, this is a good time of year to amend the soil with additional fertilizer. Slow release is best as it breaks down over time, offering the plant additional nutrients when needed. Remember to spread fertilizer around the drip line of your fruit trees with a nitrogen rich resource throughout the growing and ripening season.
• Take notes: be sure to write down the little surprises and successes you had in the garden this season, e.g. what species or varieties worked well where, in order to help you form a plan for next time.

Fall

• And a little more water: continue to provide supplemental water until the fall rains arrive. As temperatures cool this will be less and less.
• S.O.S (Save Our Seeds): continue to collect late ripening seed for sowing next season. Be sure to clean seed, removing any excess chaff (leaf or flower parts) that provides the perfect environment for rot in storage or if direct sown into the garden when the rainy season arrives.
• Clean up: late blooming perennials by cutting out old growth, old blades of grass and fern fronds to encourage new growth next spring and provide air circulation around the crown during the rainy season.
• Sow seeds of love: dust off those envelopes filled with yummy veggie and fruit seeds and begin propagating the seedlings that will bring your winter garden to life. Remember to add some mulch to exposed soil to help retain moisture in the soil; rice straw, coconut coir or shredded bark can work.
• Make the beds: now that you have harvested your summer annual garden, it’s time to get those planting beds ready for winter food crops. Amend with compost, worm castings, or turn under cover crops to release nutrients into the soil.
• Fertilize and nourish: if you have any potted plants or raised beds, this is a good time of year to amend the soil with additional fertilizer. Slow release is best as it breaks down over time, offering the plant additional nutrients when needed. Remember to spread fertilizer around the drip line of your fruit trees with a nitrogen rich resource throughout the growing and ripening season.
• Thick and thin: if you are fortunate enough to have a productive season with an abundance of fruits on the tree, it is important to thin out excess fruit to allow for proper development and subsequent deliciousness to occur. Of course this also prevents the fruit laden limbs from breaking before it’s ripe.
• Prepare for perennial planting season: by removing weeds, identify areas where more plants are needed, refer to your notes for successful candidatesand have fun shopping!