July: Keep sprinklers in good repair, irrigate deeply and don't let container plants go dry in the heat

Find a place in the shade, pour yourself a tall iced tea and take July off. There's not much for gardeners to do this month other than to water. Plants in containers need the most, but even those in the ground need frequent irrigation. That's unless, of course, you were clever enough to plant mostly native and other non-thirsty Mediterranean-climate plants, though even they may need a deep soaking at some point.

By Robert Smaus