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| Do you have a gardening question? The UC Master Gardeners of Santa Clara County can help. Our volunteers are part of the University of California’s Cooperative Extension program and we are trained to use research-based information to educate our fellow residents on home horticulture, pest management, and sustainable landscape practices specific to our area. Our monthly “Ask a Master Gardener” column will answer your questions and offer tips. Have a question? Email lifestyle@embarcaderopublishing.com. |
July gardening tips
Summer gardens are in full swing, but July also brings a few seasonal challenges. From bee swarms to bolting lettuce, here’s what to keep an eye on this month.
A bitter zucchini is a warning sign
A slightly bitter zucchini can result from heat or other environmental stress, but one that’s intensely bitter should never be eaten.
Zucchini belongs to the cucurbit family, whose wild relatives naturally produce the bitter compound cucurbitacin. Occasionally, garden plants grown from seed that cross-pollinated with wild cucurbits can contain dangerous levels of the chemical.
If a zucchini tastes extremely bitter, discard it and remove the plant. Eating highly bitter squash can cause serious illness.
Give bee swarms plenty of space
Warm weather means bees are busy gathering pollen and nectar. It also means it’s swarm season, when an overcrowded hive splits and about half the colony leaves in search of a new home.
If you spot a swarm, don’t panic. Swarming bees are typically focused on finding a nesting site, not stinging people. Stay calm, keep your distance and avoid disturbing them.
Need the swarm removed? Contact the Bee Guild. Trained volunteers can safely collect honey bee swarms from public and private property, often at no cost.
Less water is often better for succulents
Succulents are built to store water in their leaves, stems and roots, making them well-suited to dry conditions.
Upcoming gardening events
Summer Vegetable and Fruit Trees: To Trim or not To Trim – Saturday, July 11, Palo Alto
Discover the Magic of Irises – Saturday, July 11, San Jose
Don’t Squash that Bug! Beneficial Insects in the Garden – Saturday, July 11, Mountain View
Unlock the Secrets of Seed Saving – Saturday, July 11, Santa Clara
Plant Clinic Online – Tuesday, July 14
Growing Cool Season Vegetables starting in Late Summer – Wednesday, July 15, Los Altos
Update on Asian Citrus Psyllid in California – Thursday, July 16, Online
MCP California Native and Succulent Sale – Saturday, July 18, San Jose
MCP Starting Cool-Season Vegetables From Seed – Saturday, July 18, San Jose
Open garden Saturdays at Palo Alto Demonstration Garden – Saturday, July 18, Palo Alto
Mysteries of Purple Veggies – Saturday, July 18, San Jose
Container Confidence: Grow a Garden Anywhere! – Saturday, July 18, Campbell
STDG Top Habits of Happy and Successful Gardeners – Saturday, July 18, Sunnyvale
GDG Discover the Magic of Irises – Sunday, July 19, San Jose
MCP July Flower Cutting and Arranging Workshop – Sunday, July 19, San Jose
Growing Your Own Cut Flower Garden – Sunday, July 19, Palo Alto
What’s Wrong with My Tomatoes? – Saturday, Aug. 1, Palo Alto
The biggest mistake gardeners make is watering too often. Plant succulents in well-draining soil and allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Water more frequently during the active growing season and cut back during dormancy. When in doubt, it’s usually safer to underwater than overwater.
Harvest lettuce before it bolts
Hot weather speeds up lettuce growth — and its transition to flowering, known as bolting.
If the center of the plant begins stretching upward or you notice milky sap when a leaf is torn, flowering has begun. Harvest immediately, before the leaves turn noticeably bitter.
Don’t let bindweed gain ground
Field bindweed may look like a delicate morning glory, but it’s one of the toughest weeds to eliminate.
Its roots can reach more than 20 feet deep and regenerate from tiny fragments, while seeds can remain viable in the soil for years.
The best defense is persistence. Pull new shoots as soon as they appear to prevent the plant from storing energy in its roots and producing more seeds. Staying ahead of new growth is the most effective way to keep this invasive vine in check.
Would you like to ask a UC Master Gardener about a plant problem? Submit questions to our Help Desk online. You can also attend our Zoom Plant Clinic Online on July 14 at 7:00 pm.
You can also subscribe to our monthly Tips and Events newsletter. San Mateo residents can also find gardening advice on the UC Master Gardeners of San Mateo and San Francisco website.
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