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My Garden Diary

May and June 2021

Copyright © 2021 by David E. Ross

Many years ago, when I first started my Web site, I created an online diary of my gardening activities and observations. However, with work and the commute from Hell, I was often so tired I had to choose between maintaining my garden and maintaining my diary. Sometimes, I did neither. In 1998, I stopped my diary and removed the pages from my Web site.

Now I am retired. I am well-rested and have plenty of time to both garden and maintain a diary. This diary is primarily for my own benefit, so that I can look back upon what I did and when. But I thought others might also be interested, so here it is.

Also see What's Blooming in My Garden Now?

Diary entries for 2004 through 2014

Entries below are in reverse order (latest at the top). Daily, I might stoop to pull a weed or use a hose to water some potted plants; however, I don't consider those significant gardening activities. Thus, you will not see daily entries. Also, I might accumulate a few entries before updating this page on the Web.

When plants have well-known common names, their scientific names are given only the first time they appear on this page (entry closest to the bottom). There, the common name is in bold or appears as a link to another Web page.

Unless a different year is given, dates refer to other entries in the same year as the entry in which they appear, including entries on prior pages for the same year.

Date and Weather	Observations and Activities
21 Jun Clear, sunny, and warm Temp: 55-91 Humidity: 32% Wind: 0-12 Rain — This rain-year: 3.50 Days since last: 14	Manually run the sprinklers on My Hill once every third weekend, on both Saturdays and Sundays. The past two days were one of those weekends. While working the valves, I notice the African daisies and English ivy were covering some of the valves and growing over the slough wall. After all spinklers had run yesterday, I trimmed back those ground covers, which I failed to do earlier (13 Jun). Repaired (again) a sprinkler near the north end of the west bed. This is up on a tall riser so that the spray clears adjacent plants. Now and then, the riser comes loose from the fitting at its base. I wonder if it slowly rotates as water is running through it. I will occasionally check to make sure it is tight. Finished trimming the edges of the paths in back. Today, that included trimming the pink clover ((Persicaria capitata))in the teardrop bed, not only from the paths but also from around the Cuphea hyssopifolia. I also trimmed the red fescue from around the large pot for the dwarf navel orange (Citrus sinensis 'Robertson'), daylilies (Hemerocallis hybrids 'Stella de Oro' and 'Autumn Red'), society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea 'Silver Lace'), and several sprinkler heads in the lawn. While testing the sprinklers to see which ones in the lawn needed trimming, I discovered that squirrels had damaged two heads in the rose bed. I plan to buy new heads and install them tomorrow. The sprinklers are not scheduled to run until Wednesday. (I wish these heads were available in metal instead of plastic.)
16 Jun Clear, sunny, and hot Temp: 65-99 Humidity: 25% Wind: 3-14	Fed the dwarf citrus and gardenia with ammounium, iron, and zinc sulfates. The citrus received a light feeding, but the gardenia (competing with the red fescue lawn) received a heavy feeding. Rain — This rain-year: 3.50 Days since last: 9
13 Jun Clear, sunny, and hot Temp: 60-89 Humidity: 15% Wind: 1-10 Rain — This rain-year: 3.50 The past week: 0.03	Yesterday while watering the hanging pot in the blue bathroom, I discovered that the assembly of washers at the bottom of the pot were disintegrating. Today, I took cuttings of the pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum 'Aureum') from the plant growing in the pot. When they are rooted, I will reconstruct the assembly and pot the cuttings in place of the existing plant. The star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) at the south end of the west bed in back grew more than two feet out from the north side of its trellis. I cut it back somewhat. After I see new growth, I will cut it make even more. Groomed both the 'Perlette' and 'Black Monukka' grape vines again (2 & 16 May). Both have set a good crop, but none will be ripe for another month or two. I hope the squirrels and birds will be discouraged by socks with blood meal and flashing CDs. If the grapes nevertheless disappear, it will likely be caused by raccoons. While on My Hill, I trimmed the African daisy (Osteospermum fruticosum) and English ivy (Hedera helix) away from the slough wall at the bottom. I do not want daisy seeds sprouting in the rose bed, and I previously had a problem when ignored ivy grew over the wall and took root in that bed. I also trimmed some Rhaphiolepis 'Majestic Beauty' along the east side of My Hill where they were interfering with the sprinkler system. By then, I was exhausted and decided not to groom the 'Flame' grape at the top of My Hill or trim more of the edges of the paths in the flat area of the back yard.
11 Jun Clear, sunny, and warm Temp: 59-83 Humidity: 17% Wind: 0-13 Rain — This rain-year: 3.50 The past week: 0.03	Planted the rooted cuttings of dwarf English ivy (Hedera helix 'Hahn's') at the base of our mailbox in front (21 Apr). Yesterday, I picked the last of the fruit from the loquat tree. Today, I removed the aluminum flashing from the trunk of the tree and the compact discs and socks with blood meal from its branches. They seemed to fulfill their purpose of protecting the fruit from birds and squirrels (but unfortunately not from wasps and hornets). I will therefore place these on the peach tree. Because of the size of the peach tree and its more abundant fruit, I will increase the number of bloody socks and perhaps the number of CDs. Since the peach tree branches out lower to the ground than the loquat, however, I can only place a single aluminum flashing at the base of its trunk. I will have to wait until shortly before the peaches ripen so that the birds and squirrels do not become too accustomed to these discouraging items.
9 Jun Clear, sunny, and mild Temp: 54-78 Humidity: 38% Wind: 1-15 Rain — This rain-year: 3.50 The past week: 0.03	Today, I had a tree service prune the valley white oak to allow the house to get a new roof (4 Jun). I am thankful that I do not live in adjacent cities, where an expensive permit would be required for that work and where cutting some of the larger branches would be prohibited. Many leaves on the dwarf lemon tree are curled and deformed, generally a symptom of infestation by spider mites or scale insects. I gave the tree a drench of a systemic insecticide, which will also prevent leaf miners. Trimmed the edge of the small circular brick patio in the north-east corner of the back yard. Much of that involved merely removing dead foliage from the Freesias that bloomed earlier this year. I also trimmed the edge of the path between the back lawn and the circular bed. While doing that, I also removed much of the red fescue grass that had invaded the clumps of society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea 'Silver Lace') planted within the edge of the lawn.
6 Jun Clear, sunny, and mild Temp: 53-77 Humidity: 47% Wind: 1-8 Rain — This rain-year: 3.47 Days since last: 85	Trimmed the last of the lavender in the circular bed. Finished trimming the edges of the path along the rose bed. The Camellia sasanqua 'Chansonett' nearest the climbing 'Peace' rose was growing out over the path that I just trimmed, so I pruned it to clear the path. Unlike all my other camellias — including another C. sasanqua 'Chansonett' — this one is quite large, several feet across but not very tall. Fed the roses with a commercial 6-9-6 fertilizer that also contains a systemic insecticide. The instructions say to use it every six weeks, but I use it once every two months (about nine weeks), alternating in the other months with ammonium sulfate.
4 Jun Clear, sunny, and hot Temp: 55-87 Humidity: 31% Wind: 0-14 Rain — This rain-year: 3.47 Days since last: 83	We need a new roof. That means the valley white oak (Quercus lobata) in front will have to be trimmed. Several brnaches are close to the roof and will interfere with the roofers. Finished trimming the edges of the path between the lawn and rose bed. I continued part way between the rose and circular beds. Picked loquats for my lunch. There were also some damaged — likely by wasps — that I peeled and seeded for Cleopatra, who devoured them. She is picky and will not eat a loquat that has its skin. The seeds are toxic.
31 May Clear, sunny, and warm Temp: 53-85 Humidity: 47% Wind: 1-11 Rain — This rain-year: 3.47 Days since last: 77	The climbing 'Peace' rose in back had a very long, vigorous new cane growing out of the bud union. I thought I would tie it down onto the slough wall, but it broke off right at its base. I was able to tie down another long new cane in its place. Took the oregano (Origanum vulgare) out of its pot, cut about 2 inches off the bottom of the root ball, and then cut a wedge — about a third — out of the root ball. I potted that wedge with a mixture of new potting mix and the old mix that fell loose from the root ball. Trimmed more of the edges of the path that separates the back lawn from the rose bed (28 May).
28 May Clear, sunny, and warm Temp: 52-82 Humidity: 39% Wind: 1-10 Rain — This rain-year: 3.47 Days since last: 74	Fed the camellias (both C. japonica and C. sasanqua) and azaleas (Rhododendron indica) with a commercial 10-5-4 fertilizer, skipping the 'Pride of Dorking' azaleas which are still in bloom. I also gave the 'Formosa' azaleas in the circular bed a generous dose of gypsum since they show symptoms of poorly draining soil. Finally finished pruning the dwarf myrtle (23 May). Made some progress in trimming the edges of the path that separates the lawn from the rose bed (23 May). There, the red fescue not only extends significantly out over the path; but also that grass now has clumps growing in the decomposed granite of the path itself.
26 May Clear, sunny, and warm Temp: 57-80 Humidity: 33% Wind: 5-12	Fed the dwarf citrus and gardenia with commercial 10-4-10 citrus fertilizer plus zinc sulfate. Normally, I dislike any phosphorus in commercial fertilizers because the phosphorus does not readily dissolve. Instead, it must be placed where roots will find it. In this case, however, I stir the fertilizer into the top inch of the soil where the dwarf citrus has feeder roots. Rain — This rain-year: 3.47 Days since last: 72
23 May Clear, sunny, and mild Temp: 49-74 Humidity: 30% Wind: 1-18 Rain — This rain-year: 3.47 Days since last: 69	Bought a fresh pineapple last week while grocery shopping. Today, I removed the top and started an attempt to root it. I was successful at this many years ago; but recently, most pineapples in the markets have tops that are quite dead. Finished trimming the lavender that I started trimming last week (21 May). Pruned the last myrtle (21 May) some more, but I did not finish yet. Finished trimming the path between the lawn and west bed in back (16 May) and continued on with starting between the lawn and rose bed. In that area, everything grew quite lush, so progress might be slow.
21 May Clear, sunny, and cool Temp: 46-64 Humidity: 22% Wind: 2-17 (gusts to 36) Rain — This rain-year: 3.47 Days since last: 67	Two days ago, I discovered the soil in one patch of the back lawn was quite dry, which explained why the fescue grass (Festuca rubra) was dying. Yesterday, I tested the sprinkers for that area and saw that the one that should irrigate there was very low. I removed the sprinkler head, cleaned away some debris from it and the strainer under it. Retesting, the result was much improved. The sprinkler system ran early this morning. When I checked the area today, it was moist. The grass should now recover. Started trimming another lavender (14 May) in the circular bed. Not only was this crowding the adjacent azaleas and daylilies; it was also crowding the cheddar pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) in that bed. Started pruning the fifth and last dwarf myrtle (14 May) in the west bed. The loquats are starting to color. Two of the four socks containing blood meal (2 May) were dry, so I soaked them. Now that the fruit is ripening, discouraging squirrels is becoming more important.
16 May Cloudy, gray, and cool Temp: 50-62 Humidity: 64% Wind: 0-8 Rain — This rain-year: 3.47 Days since last: 62	Of the four holly cuttings I put up (5 Apr), three definitely failed. Today, I put up three new cuttings. Poured a drench of systemic insecticide onto the soil around the peach tree (Prunus persica 'Santa Barbara') to prevent bark borers. Those borers are common in southern California and can kill the tree. I lost two prior trees to them. Since I started applying this drench to my current peach tree, however, I have seen no sign of borers. I also thinned out some of the immature fruit, which will make the remaining peaches larger. Since the peach pits will not be any larger, I might get more useable fruit than if I did not thin them. As I earlier did with the 'Perlette' grape vine (2 May), I climbed a little way up My Hill to groom the 'Black Monukka' grape vine. I headed shoots that do not have tiny, immature grapes and tied shoots with grapes to the supporting wire. Tied down a new long cane of the climbing 'Peace' rose onto the slough wall behind it. This should promote new side shoots with flowers. Trimmed some more of the edges of the path between the back lawn and the west bed (14 May), almost reaching the rose bed.
14 May Clear, sunny, and mild Temp: 52-79 Humidity: 52% Wind: 0-13 Rain — This rain-year: 3.47 Days since last: 60	Finished trimming the lavender that I started trimming earlier (7 May). Started trimming the edges of the paths in the back yard, beginning with the path that separates the west bed and lawn where that path meets the main patio. Finished pruning the fourth dwarf myrtle (7 May). Now only one myrtle remains to be pruned.
7 May Clear, sunny, and mild Temp: 51-77 Humidity: 43% Wind: 1-13 Rain — This rain-year: 3.47 Days since last: 53	Fed the roses with ammonium sulfate (21-0-0). Finished pruning the third dwarf myrtle (Myrtus communis 'Compacta', 30 Apr) in the west bed in back and started pruning the fourth. Partially trimmed a 'Goodwin Creek Grey' lavender (Lavandula lanata × dentata) that was crowding adjacent potted herbs, azaleas, and daylilies in the circular bed. It was also growing out over the path that borders the bed.
5 May Clear, sunny, and hot Temp: 59-90 Humidity: 19% Wind: 2-14	Fed the dwarf citrus and gardenia (G. jasminoides 'Veitchii') with ammonium, iron, and zinc sulfates. Rain — This rain-year: 3.47 Days since last: 51
2 May Clear, sunny, and mild Temp: 52-74 Humidity: 43% Wind: 2-12 Rain — This rain-year: 3.47 Days since last: 48	Although not a large crop this year, loquats (Eriobotrya japonica) should ripen later this month. Thus, I wanted to discourage creatures from stealing the fruit. I hung four old socks containing blood meal from the branches of the tree and then soaks the socks; squirrels generally avoid any place that smells of blood. I also hung six compact discs to flash with sunshine as the breezes blow; this is supposed to keep birds away. Finally, I nailed two pieces of aluminum flashing — one above the other — to the trunk of the tree to prevent squirrels and rats from climbing. Climbed a little way up My Hill to groom the 'Perlette' grape vine. I headed shoots that do not have tiny, immature grapes and tied shoots with grapes to the supporting wire.

Date and Weather

Observations and Activities

21 Jun

Clear, sunny, and warm

Temp: 55-91
Humidity: 32%
Wind: 0-12

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.50
Days since last: 14

Manually run the sprinklers on My Hill once every third weekend, on both Saturdays and Sundays. The past two days were one of those weekends. While working the valves, I notice the African daisies and English ivy were covering some of the valves and growing over the slough wall. After all spinklers had run yesterday, I trimmed back those ground covers, which I failed to do earlier (13 Jun).

Repaired (again) a sprinkler near the north end of the west bed. This is up on a tall riser so that the spray clears adjacent plants. Now and then, the riser comes loose from the fitting at its base. I wonder if it slowly rotates as water is running through it. I will occasionally check to make sure it is tight.

Finished trimming the edges of the paths in back. Today, that included trimming the pink clover ((Persicaria capitata))in the teardrop bed, not only from the paths but also from around the Cuphea hyssopifolia. I also trimmed the red fescue from around the large pot for the dwarf navel orange (Citrus sinensis 'Robertson'), daylilies (Hemerocallis hybrids 'Stella de Oro' and 'Autumn Red'), society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea 'Silver Lace'), and several sprinkler heads in the lawn.

While testing the sprinklers to see which ones in the lawn needed trimming, I discovered that squirrels had damaged two heads in the rose bed. I plan to buy new heads and install them tomorrow. The sprinklers are not scheduled to run until Wednesday. (I wish these heads were available in metal instead of plastic.)

16 Jun

Clear, sunny, and hot

Temp: 65-99
Humidity: 25%
Wind: 3-14

Fed the dwarf citrus and gardenia with ammounium, iron, and zinc sulfates. The citrus received a light feeding, but the gardenia (competing with the red fescue lawn) received a heavy feeding.

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.50
Days since last: 9

13 Jun

Clear, sunny, and hot

Temp: 60-89
Humidity: 15%
Wind: 1-10

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.50
The past week: 0.03

Yesterday while watering the hanging pot in the blue bathroom, I discovered that the assembly of washers at the bottom of the pot were disintegrating. Today, I took cuttings of the pothos (Epipremnum pinnatum 'Aureum') from the plant growing in the pot. When they are rooted, I will reconstruct the assembly and pot the cuttings in place of the existing plant.

The star jasmine (Trachelospermum jasminoides) at the south end of the west bed in back grew more than two feet out from the north side of its trellis. I cut it back somewhat. After I see new growth, I will cut it make even more.

Groomed both the 'Perlette' and 'Black Monukka' grape vines again (2 & 16 May). Both have set a good crop, but none will be ripe for another month or two. I hope the squirrels and birds will be discouraged by socks with blood meal and flashing CDs. If the grapes nevertheless disappear, it will likely be caused by raccoons.

While on My Hill, I trimmed the African daisy (Osteospermum fruticosum) and English ivy (Hedera helix) away from the slough wall at the bottom. I do not want daisy seeds sprouting in the rose bed, and I previously had a problem when ignored ivy grew over the wall and took root in that bed. I also trimmed some Rhaphiolepis 'Majestic Beauty' along the east side of My Hill where they were interfering with the sprinkler system. By then, I was exhausted and decided not to groom the 'Flame' grape at the top of My Hill or trim more of the edges of the paths in the flat area of the back yard.

11 Jun

Clear, sunny, and warm

Temp: 59-83
Humidity: 17%
Wind: 0-13

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.50
The past week: 0.03

Planted the rooted cuttings of dwarf English ivy (Hedera helix 'Hahn's') at the base of our mailbox in front (21 Apr).

Yesterday, I picked the last of the fruit from the loquat tree. Today, I removed the aluminum flashing from the trunk of the tree and the compact discs and socks with blood meal from its branches. They seemed to fulfill their purpose of protecting the fruit from birds and squirrels (but unfortunately not from wasps and hornets). I will therefore place these on the peach tree. Because of the size of the peach tree and its more abundant fruit, I will increase the number of bloody socks and perhaps the number of CDs. Since the peach tree branches out lower to the ground than the loquat, however, I can only place a single aluminum flashing at the base of its trunk. I will have to wait until shortly before the peaches ripen so that the birds and squirrels do not become too accustomed to these discouraging items.

9 Jun

Clear, sunny, and mild

Temp: 54-78
Humidity: 38%
Wind: 1-15

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.50
The past week: 0.03

Today, I had a tree service prune the valley white oak to allow the house to get a new roof (4 Jun). I am thankful that I do not live in adjacent cities, where an expensive permit would be required for that work and where cutting some of the larger branches would be prohibited.

Many leaves on the dwarf lemon tree are curled and deformed, generally a symptom of infestation by spider mites or scale insects. I gave the tree a drench of a systemic insecticide, which will also prevent leaf miners.

Trimmed the edge of the small circular brick patio in the north-east corner of the back yard. Much of that involved merely removing dead foliage from the Freesias that bloomed earlier this year. I also trimmed the edge of the path between the back lawn and the circular bed. While doing that, I also removed much of the red fescue grass that had invaded the clumps of society garlic (Tulbaghia violacea 'Silver Lace') planted within the edge of the lawn.

6 Jun

Clear, sunny, and mild

Temp: 53-77
Humidity: 47%
Wind: 1-8

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.47
Days since last: 85

Trimmed the last of the lavender in the circular bed.

Finished trimming the edges of the path along the rose bed.

The Camellia sasanqua 'Chansonett' nearest the climbing 'Peace' rose was growing out over the path that I just trimmed, so I pruned it to clear the path. Unlike all my other camellias — including another C. sasanqua 'Chansonett' — this one is quite large, several feet across but not very tall.

Fed the roses with a commercial 6-9-6 fertilizer that also contains a systemic insecticide. The instructions say to use it every six weeks, but I use it once every two months (about nine weeks), alternating in the other months with ammonium sulfate.

4 Jun

Clear, sunny, and hot

Temp: 55-87
Humidity: 31%
Wind: 0-14

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.47
Days since last: 83

We need a new roof. That means the valley white oak (Quercus lobata) in front will have to be trimmed. Several brnaches are close to the roof and will interfere with the roofers.

Finished trimming the edges of the path between the lawn and rose bed. I continued part way between the rose and circular beds.

Picked loquats for my lunch. There were also some damaged — likely by wasps — that I peeled and seeded for Cleopatra, who devoured them. She is picky and will not eat a loquat that has its skin. The seeds are toxic.

31 May

Clear, sunny, and warm

Temp: 53-85
Humidity: 47%
Wind: 1-11

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.47
Days since last: 77

The climbing 'Peace' rose in back had a very long, vigorous new cane growing out of the bud union. I thought I would tie it down onto the slough wall, but it broke off right at its base. I was able to tie down another long new cane in its place.

Took the oregano (Origanum vulgare) out of its pot, cut about 2 inches off the bottom of the root ball, and then cut a wedge — about a third — out of the root ball. I potted that wedge with a mixture of new potting mix and the old mix that fell loose from the root ball.

Trimmed more of the edges of the path that separates the back lawn from the rose bed (28 May).

28 May

Clear, sunny, and warm

Temp: 52-82
Humidity: 39%
Wind: 1-10

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.47
Days since last: 74

Fed the camellias (both C. japonica and C. sasanqua) and azaleas (Rhododendron indica) with a commercial 10-5-4 fertilizer, skipping the 'Pride of Dorking' azaleas which are still in bloom. I also gave the 'Formosa' azaleas in the circular bed a generous dose of gypsum since they show symptoms of poorly draining soil.

Finally finished pruning the dwarf myrtle (23 May).

Made some progress in trimming the edges of the path that separates the lawn from the rose bed (23 May). There, the red fescue not only extends significantly out over the path; but also that grass now has clumps growing in the decomposed granite of the path itself.

26 May

Clear, sunny, and warm

Temp: 57-80
Humidity: 33%
Wind: 5-12

Fed the dwarf citrus and gardenia with commercial 10-4-10 citrus fertilizer plus zinc sulfate. Normally, I dislike any phosphorus in commercial fertilizers because the phosphorus does not readily dissolve. Instead, it must be placed where roots will find it. In this case, however, I stir the fertilizer into the top inch of the soil where the dwarf citrus has feeder roots.

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.47
Days since last: 72

23 May

Clear, sunny, and mild

Temp: 49-74
Humidity: 30%
Wind: 1-18

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.47
Days since last: 69

Bought a fresh pineapple last week while grocery shopping. Today, I removed the top and started an attempt to root it. I was successful at this many years ago; but recently, most pineapples in the markets have tops that are quite dead.

Finished trimming the lavender that I started trimming last week (21 May).

Pruned the last myrtle (21 May) some more, but I did not finish yet.

Finished trimming the path between the lawn and west bed in back (16 May) and continued on with starting between the lawn and rose bed. In that area, everything grew quite lush, so progress might be slow.

21 May

Clear, sunny, and cool

Temp: 46-64
Humidity: 22%
Wind: 2-17 (gusts to 36)

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.47
Days since last: 67

Two days ago, I discovered the soil in one patch of the back lawn was quite dry, which explained why the fescue grass (Festuca rubra) was dying. Yesterday, I tested the sprinkers for that area and saw that the one that should irrigate there was very low. I removed the sprinkler head, cleaned away some debris from it and the strainer under it. Retesting, the result was much improved. The sprinkler system ran early this morning. When I checked the area today, it was moist. The grass should now recover.

Started trimming another lavender (14 May) in the circular bed. Not only was this crowding the adjacent azaleas and daylilies; it was also crowding the cheddar pinks (Dianthus gratianopolitanus) in that bed.

Started pruning the fifth and last dwarf myrtle (14 May) in the west bed.

The loquats are starting to color. Two of the four socks containing blood meal (2 May) were dry, so I soaked them. Now that the fruit is ripening, discouraging squirrels is becoming more important.

16 May

Cloudy, gray, and cool

Temp: 50-62
Humidity: 64%
Wind: 0-8

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.47
Days since last: 62

Of the four holly cuttings I put up (5 Apr), three definitely failed. Today, I put up three new cuttings.

Poured a drench of systemic insecticide onto the soil around the peach tree (Prunus persica 'Santa Barbara') to prevent bark borers. Those borers are common in southern California and can kill the tree. I lost two prior trees to them. Since I started applying this drench to my current peach tree, however, I have seen no sign of borers. I also thinned out some of the immature fruit, which will make the remaining peaches larger. Since the peach pits will not be any larger, I might get more useable fruit than if I did not thin them.

As I earlier did with the 'Perlette' grape vine (2 May), I climbed a little way up My Hill to groom the 'Black Monukka' grape vine. I headed shoots that do not have tiny, immature grapes and tied shoots with grapes to the supporting wire.

Tied down a new long cane of the climbing 'Peace' rose onto the slough wall behind it. This should promote new side shoots with flowers.

Trimmed some more of the edges of the path between the back lawn and the west bed (14 May), almost reaching the rose bed.

14 May

Clear, sunny, and mild

Temp: 52-79
Humidity: 52%
Wind: 0-13

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.47
Days since last: 60

Finished trimming the lavender that I started trimming earlier (7 May).

Started trimming the edges of the paths in the back yard, beginning with the path that separates the west bed and lawn where that path meets the main patio.

Finished pruning the fourth dwarf myrtle (7 May). Now only one myrtle remains to be pruned.

7 May

Clear, sunny, and mild

Temp: 51-77
Humidity: 43%
Wind: 1-13

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.47
Days since last: 53

Fed the roses with ammonium sulfate (21-0-0).

Finished pruning the third dwarf myrtle (Myrtus communis 'Compacta', 30 Apr) in the west bed in back and started pruning the fourth.

Partially trimmed a 'Goodwin Creek Grey' lavender (Lavandula lanata × dentata) that was crowding adjacent potted herbs, azaleas, and daylilies in the circular bed. It was also growing out over the path that borders the bed.

5 May

Clear, sunny, and hot

Temp: 59-90
Humidity: 19%
Wind: 2-14

Fed the dwarf citrus and gardenia (G. jasminoides 'Veitchii') with ammonium, iron, and zinc sulfates.

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.47
Days since last: 51

2 May

Clear, sunny, and mild

Temp: 52-74
Humidity: 43%
Wind: 2-12

Rain —
This rain-year: 3.47
Days since last: 48

Although not a large crop this year, loquats (Eriobotrya japonica) should ripen later this month. Thus, I wanted to discourage creatures from stealing the fruit. I hung four old socks containing blood meal from the branches of the tree and then soaks the socks; squirrels generally avoid any place that smells of blood. I also hung six compact discs to flash with sunshine as the breezes blow; this is supposed to keep birds away. Finally, I nailed two pieces of aluminum flashing — one above the other — to the trunk of the tree to prevent squirrels and rats from climbing.

Climbed a little way up My Hill to groom the 'Perlette' grape vine. I headed shoots that do not have tiny, immature grapes and tied shoots with grapes to the supporting wire.

Weather data are from the Cheeseboro (CHE) weather station, about 2 miles ENE of my house.

The high temperature (°F) is daytime for the indicated date; the low temperature (°F) is for the previous night.

Winter chill is the cumulative hours of temperatures at or below 45°F from 1 November through 31 March. It is reported during that period and through April.

The relative humidity is at noon. (In my garden, it is likely higher than reported, a result of regular irrigation.)

Wind speeds (mph) are average (not peak) low and high, midnight to midnight (subject to later correction for diary entries posted before the end of the day). I also indicate peak wind gusts parenthetically when they are significantly high.

Rain is in inches. Rain-year is the cumulative amount of rainfall from 1 October until 30 September of the following year (our "rain-year"). Week is the cumulative amount of measurable rainfall from noon seven days ago until noon of the indicated date. If no measurable rain fell in that period, Days since last is reported.

Characterization of the weather (e.g., Clear, sunny, and warm) is purely subjective; for example, "warm" might occur with higher temperatures than "hot" if the former occurs with lower humidity and more breezes than the latter. Also, a day that would normally be characterized as "mild" might instead be "warm" if the immediately previous days were quite cold. Finally, such characterization reflects when I was actually outside and gardening and ignores changes that occur while I am inside.

The signature line I use when writing messages about my garden includes the following:

Climate:  California Mediterranean

Sunset Zone: 21 -- interior Santa Monica Mountains with some ocean influence (USDA 10a, very close to Sunset Zone 19)