Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
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As I look back over my previous articles, I noticed that since 2013 it seems there is what I suggest is a new normal of high temperatures for August-September. The average day-night temperatures in the first 25 days of August 2018 were higher than nearly every day in August 2017. The average daytime high for August 2019 was 1.6 degrees cooler than for 2018, the average nighttime temperature for 2019 was 4 degrees cooler than for 2018. I checked the weather projections and lear...
Summer is certainly upon the valley – and based on past experience, it’s only going to get hotter before it gets cooler. I didn’t need to tell you that at the beginning of August, did I? Since high summer temperatures and less-than-ideal conditions for roses are inevitable for the next couple of months, let’s get ready. Those gardeners who have taken my advice are letting their roses continue their summer dormancy – this period should last until about mid-September....
“Gardeners must become water-wise and learn as many ways as possible to use water efficiently. Some water districts may still have restrictions on how and when water can be used for irrigating landscape. Water agencies advise customers to be conservative this year as supply is still limited and even purchasing water from other regions is difficult for the same reasons.” The above paragraph is from a year ago. Although the current precipitation for the area is 20% to 25%...
Residents may have noticed the effect of climate change again this year. As I speak with other rose gardeners, I learn that all are finding it more difficult to predict what to do and when as they have in past years. The timing and development of growth is dependent on weather, especially a more constant predictable rhythm of temperatures. This year temperatures and rain fluctuated more than I remember it in recent years. Flower production is affected greatly by inconsistent...
What a year it's been so far. In most areas, gardeners had to work in a pruning schedule between rain storms. Even with late pruning, many gardeners are having or are about to have their first flush of blooms. Climate change is influencing the weather and effecting the usual pruning schedule. The erratic temperatures also have a bearing on the growth of plants. Periods of heat encouraged lush vegetative growth and bud formation even though rains kept the soil cool. Now the...
Location, Location, Location. Depending on location – or more specifically, that of the garden – gardeners may have experienced frost damage to their roses and tender young plants recently. The past week and the forecast for the first weekend of March is for cool to cold temperatures around Riverside County. All areas of Southern California have had above average rainfall. Some may even see a little more snow. Even gardens in the same general vicinity may have different...
Nature lies fallow in winter in preparation for the new year. All life needs rest in order to grow with greater strength. Winter is the time of withdrawal that precedes renewal. But now it’s time to take a few simple steps to wake roses up for a great year. There is no magical specific date to prune. According to all accounts and professional rosarians, the proper time is “late winter.” This time has many meanings, but the bottom line is to prune late enough that...
There is no specific timeline for winter rose care, but there are general guidelines. For the area, spring pruning should be completed around mid-February. I will provide details on that major pruning in my February column. I will be at Rose Haven Heritage Garden in Temecula Saturday, Jan. 26, from 10 a.m. to noon, to give a hands-on pruning demonstration. Those who are interested can see the end of this column for what to bring with them if they attend. Don’t jump the gun...
I'm sure that gardeners and their roses appreciated the recent sprinkles or light drizzle or blustery rain depending on location. Temecula received an inch more rain than average for November; this rain and the accompanying cool weather will help to hydrate the thirsty soil. Most areas still haven’t had any temperatures near frost. Roses could still be seen actively growing and blooming in many area gardens during the Thanksgiving holiday, and some rose gardens are coming...
After a summer of high temperatures, fires, smoke, ash and Santa Ana winds, it feels good to have some relief. The weather has moderated slightly, and along with the change comes cooler nights with more moisture collecting on leaves. This moisture with the daily accumulation of ash and small dust particles provides a great environment for mildew, rust and black spot on roses. Black spot is the most common and important disease of roses found everywhere roses are grown. The...
Looks like the valley is back to a period of more normal temperatures for this time of year, but the Santa Ana winds could show up anytime now. Gardeners should make sure to check the irrigation system if they haven't after the heat of summer. Roses should be actively recovering from the recent light fall pruning. Last month I gave illustrations and descriptions for mid-season pruning with a suggested timeline for pruning and restarting a feeding program. What may not have...
As I look back over my previous articles I noticed that since 2013 there is what I suggest is a new normal of high temperatures for August and September. The average day to night temperatures in the first 25 days of August were higher this year than nearly every day in August last year. I checked the weather projections and learned that temperatures for the next seven to 10 days for Southern California are for mid-80s to low 90s, cooler than the 100-plus predicted one year ago...
Summer is certainly upon us – and based on past experience, it’s only going to get hotter before it gets cooler. I didn’t need to tell you that at the beginning of August, did I? Since high summer temperatures and less-than-ideal conditions for roses are inevitable for the next couple of months, get ready. Those who have taken my advice are letting their roses continue their summer dormancy, which should last until about mid-September. Why make them produce blooms when t...
As unpredictable as the weather has been lately, one thing gardeners can plan historically is periods of intense heat in coming months. The county had some samplings in recent weeks, experiencing temps in 90s-100s in June. As summer brings drier, hotter temps, roses will struggle to maintain hydration. It seems to me there has been more wind adding to the problem. I've noticed that my vegetable garden dries out quickly requiring added water. For the past five years I have...
Gardeners must become water-wise and learn as many ways as possible to use water efficiently. Some districts have restriction on how and when water can be used for irrigating landscape. Water agencies advise customers to be conservative this year as supply is still limited and even purchasing water from other regions is difficult for the same reasons. There are a few things gardeners can do now to provide some relief for their cherished roses once the weather gets really hot....
If you feel like your garden just doesn't seem to be responding as it has in years past, you just may have noticed the effect of climate change. As I speak with other rose gardeners, I learn that all are finding it more difficult to predict what to do and when as they have in past years. It makes planning rose shows a year in advance most vexing. The timing and development of growth is dependent on weather, especially a more consistent and predictable rhythm of temperatures....
What a year it’s been so far. In most areas, gardeners had to work in a pruning schedule between weather spurts. Even with late pruning many gardeners are or are about to have their first flush of blooms. Climate change is influencing the weather and effecting the usual pruning schedule. The erratic temperatures also have a bearing on the growth of the plants. Periods of heat encouraged vegetative growth and bud formation with possibly shorter stems even though cool rains...
Nature lies fallow in winter in preparation for the new year. All life needs rest in order to grow with greater strength. Winter is the time of withdrawal that precedes renewal. But now it's time to take a few simple steps to get your roses off to a great year! There is no magical specific date to prune. According to all accounts and professional rosarians, the proper time is "late winter." This has many meanings-bottom line, you want to prune late enough that there's little...
There is no specific timeline for winter rose care, but there are general time frames. For our area, spring pruning should be completed around mid-February. I will provide details on that in my February column. This major pruning removes canes and branches that are dead or diseased, are in contact with other branches or that pass through the interior of the plant. It also brings the plant down to three to five major canes, each about 18 inches tall. I prefer knee high or 24...