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By July, Lodi gardeners know that summer has arrived in full force. Long, sunny days and triple-digit temperatures can be hard on both plants and gardeners, but with a few simple maintenance tasks, your landscape can remain healthy, colorful, and productive all season long. Rather than focusing on planting, July is the month to maintain, protect, and prepare for the abundant harvests and beautiful blooms that continue through summer and into fall. Here's your July garden chec

Long sunny days, warming soil, and the first real taste of summer arrives with June. In USDA Zone 9, gardens begin shifting from spring growth into full summer production, which means this month is all about watering wisely, supporting growth, and staying ahead of pests and weeds. Don't delay, plant veggies today! Photo credit: Wix.com Still Time to Plant Those Veggies Vegetable gardens should now be thriving. Heat-loving crops like tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, mel

May is one of the most rewarding months in the garden. The soil is warm, the days are longer, and everything seems to be growing overnight. A little attention now will set you up for a productive and beautiful summer. Photo credit: Wix.com Stay Ahead of Weeds Weeds love the same warm conditions as your plants, so don’t let them get the upper hand. Pull them while they’re young and before they go to seed. A layer of mulch can help suppress new growth and keep soil moisture co

April is one of the most rewarding months to be in the garden here in Lodi. The soil is warming, the days are stretching longer, and everything feels ready to grow. It’s a month of momentum—where a little effort now sets the stage for a beautiful and productive late spring and summer. Here’s how to make the most of your April garden in Lodi. Embrace the Season: Spring Is in Full Swing With our Zone 9 climate, April is a transition month. Cool-season crops are still producing,

March is one of the most exciting months in the Lodi garden. The soil is warming, daylight is increasing, and spring growth is just beginning to take off. Life is showing itself in the garden. Take hold of it and a little preparation and timing make all the difference for a productive and beautiful garden season ahead. Prune Fruit Trees (Before Full Bud Break) March is your last window to finish pruning deciduous fruit trees before vigorous spring growth begins. In Lodi, mos

February is a great time to show some love to your garden. It may still feel like winter, but in Lodi’s Zone 9 garden, this is one of the most important months of the year. What you do now sets the stage for a healthy and beautiful spring — whether you’re gardening at home or helping care for our public spaces. Credits: Wix.com Finish winter pruning. February is the final window to prune roses, deciduous fruit trees, and grapevines before new growth begins. At Micke Grove Ros

Winter may look quiet, but beneath the surface the garden is very busy. Roots are stretching, earthworms are tunneling, and soil life is slowly preparing for spring. This is the perfect season to care for the garden in gentle, thoughtful ways. Using cardboard or newspaper in the garden is one of our favorite winter tricks. Plain, untreated cardboard or newspaper laid over the soil helps suppress weeds, retain moisture, and improve soil health over time. Simply remove tape and

It's December and most likely you are knee deep in a holiday-to-do list! Even though it is cold outside, don't neglect your garden. With a little effort and planning in December, your garden will emerge from winter flourishing! 1. Protect Tender Plants from Cold Snaps Even in Lodi’s mild winters, December can surprise us with a frost or two.I’d make sure my frost cloths or old sheets are nearby and ready. Citrus, succulents, young perennials, and anything newly planted get

Fall in the garden. From Flower Garden to Veggie Garden, November is the time to tackle the garden clean-up! Planning ahead for the next Spring gets your garden ready to flourish. Here are some tips to help you: Flower Garden Prune lightly and deadhead annuals and perennials to keep beds tidy. Avoid major pruning until late winter. Plant spring bulbs (tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, freesias, ranunculus). Chill tulips and hyacinths for 4–6 weeks before planting. Plant winter a

Paperwhites Fall just started. It's a great time to think about blooming bulbs as gifts for Thanksgiving or Christmas. Timing is everything. If you start now, you will have beautiful blooms to give as gifts . Here is a Blooming Bulb planning calendar: October Start Paperwhites (4–6 weeks to bloom) → Ready for Thanksgiving gifts. Begin chilling tulips, hyacinths, crocus, daffodils (10–14 weeks required). Plant Amaryllis indoors (6–10 weeks to bloom) for early December flowe

Yes, summer flew by. Here in Zone 9, we have wonderful weather in late summer, early fall. It's a great time to work in the garden. Here are some key activities to focus on: Vegetable Garden | Photo credit: Wix.com Vegetable Garden Plant cool-season crops: lettuce, spinach, kale, arugula, beets, carrots, peas, radishes, broccoli. Remove spent summer crops to free up space and reduce pests. Start garlic, shallots, and onions toward the end of September. Pansies | Photo Cre

August can be especially hot in Lodi, CA. While the climate of warm days and cooler nights is great for winegrape growing, it can be tough on some garden favorites. Here are five plants that not only survive, they thrive in these challenging conditions, rewarding gardeners with vibrant color and low maintenance. Lantana | photo credit: Adobe.com 1. Lantana (Lantana camara) Why It Thrives:Lantana is a heat-loving superstar. Once established, it’s drought-tolerant and thrive

As gardeners in Zone 9, we’re fortunate to have a diverse and beautiful climate for outdoor gardening. However, the colder months or our occasional rainy days make it the perfect time to explore the wonderful world of indoor house plants. If you're looking to add a bit of greenery to your home and brighten up those indoor spaces, here are some incredible house plants that may not get as much attention, but are certainly worth adding to your collection. Snake Plant (Sansevieri

Photo Credit: Wix.com If you’ve ever watched a hummingbird hover in place, wings buzzing like a miniature machine, you know the magic these little creatures bring to the garden. In USDA Zone 9—where mild winters and hot summers bless us with long growing seasons—we have many flower choices that are both beautiful and irresistible to hummingbirds. Here are five standout plants that grow well in Zone 9 and are sure to bring hummingbirds zipping into your garden: Photo Credit:

Gathering Pollen | Photo credit: Wix.com Looking to add some buzz to your garden—literally? Bees are not only essential pollinators, they’re also a joy to watch flitting among the flowers. The good news is that it’s easy to create a bee-friendly garden right here in Lodi, and many of the best plants are already well-suited to our warm, sunny climate in USDA Zone 9. Whether you're working with a spacious backyard or a small patio, here are some top plant picks and helpful ti

Dragonflies are incredibly beneficial insects to have in your garden, especially in USDA Zone 9, where warm temperatures and water sources can help support their populations. With the right features in your garden, you can harness the power of the dragonfly to benefit your garden's environment without harming your plants. Many believe that it is good luck if a dragonfly lands on you. It is a symbol of good luck in the Chinese tradition. Native Americans see the dragonfly as