Around the Yard

* Water citrus. Because their roots are so shallow, citrus need to be watered more often than most fruit trees, but don’t overdo it. Evenly spaced irrigations, about two weeks apart in summer, will help prevent fruit drop and splitting.

* Plant in the shade. August is generally not a good time to plant perennials and shrubs, except in shady spots where the intense summer sun is not a problem. At this time of year, nurseries have plenty of plants that prefer growing in shade, from fuchsias and begonias, to coleus and impatiens. Many of these are looking their best right now, when other plants in the garden may be looking a little past and sun-shocked.

* Feed once more. Fertilize camellias and azaleas one more time, and then not again until spring. Use an acid-type fertilizer, or cottonseed meal, an old favorite still used in the huge camellia forest at Descanso Gardens in La Canada Flintridge.