Gardening through California's long dry season
In California, the garden rarely stops — it just changes gears. With mild winters and a long dry season, the goal each week is simple: keep your summer crops thriving on efficient watering while planning the fall and winter garden that makes California the envy of gardeners everywhere.
Summer belongs to the heat-lovers — tomatoes, peppers, squash, and melons inland, while cool-coast gardeners lean into the greens and herbs that appreciate the fog. When a crop finishes, clear it promptly, refresh the bed with compost, and keep it covered with mulch. Come late summer, it's time to start brassicas, lettuce, and root crops for the cool-season garden that will produce all winter in much of the state.
Watering is where many gardeners run into trouble. With months between real rains, deep, early-morning watering a few times each week beats a light daily sprinkle every time — it drives roots down where the soil stays cool and moist. Drip lines and a thick layer of mulch will cut your water use dramatically while keeping plants happier.
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