Fruit Sweet: Although carob trees have picturesque, gnarled trunks and showy green leaves, their best-known attribute is their seedpods, which can be ground into a tasty chocolate substitute.
Now is the best time to plant flowers, fruits and veggies
The intense heat of summer means taking extra care with irrigation
By Tony Tomeo
Summer seems to be starting quickly this year. Whether you enjoy the warm weather or would rather stay inside until temperatures are cooler, work in the garden cannot be ignored. It is best to take advantage of summer heat by planting annual flowers and vegetables early. It is also important to maintain proper irrigation--your garden will not be as tolerant of poor irrigation as it was when the weather was cooler.
Another concern that may not have been so obvious earlier in the season is increased exposure of the skin to sunlight. It's a good idea to wear protective clothing, hats or sunscreen to protect skin from sunburn.
If you like to plant summer annuals from seedlings or "cell packs," this is the time to do it. Showy flowers for sunny locations include marigold, petunia, verbena, zinnia, alyssum, cosmos, portulaca, scarlet sage, (annual) vinca and dwarf dahlia.
Annuals that perform well in partial shade include fibrous begonia, impatiens, lobelia and coleus. Alyssum, zinnia, portulaca, cosmos and marigold grow quickly and may still be planted from seed. If cared for properly, seed is much more productive than six seedlings in a cell pack purchased for about the same cost as a pack of seed.
This is also a good time to plant herbs. Parsley and coriander grow very well from seed. However, many other herbs are best obtained as small plants. Seedlings for eggplant, leeks, peppers and tomatoes should all be planted by now.
The seeds for various types of beans and corn, collards, cucumbers, melons, mustard greens, okra, pumpkins, watermelons and the various squash should also be planted now. Not only is seed less expensive, but it produces better plants than transplanted seedlings. Seedlings of these vegetables are very fragile and may be difficult to establish.
Fruit trees that were not properly pruned last winter may experience problems. Young, vigorous trees usually suffer the most. Excessive fruit production often breaks branches or bends them so severely that the tree structure is compromised. Trees that produce light-weight fruit, such as cherries or almonds, are not as vulnerable as heavily fruited trees, such as peaches. (Some cherries perform well without pruning.)
If branches break, even only partially, it is best to remove them. Branches that bend severely should be propped up with stakes. Stakes should be about 2 inches by 2 inches and cut to length to fit each application. Notches at the upper ends of the stakes will help hold limbs in place. Some limbs may require several stakes. It is also important to remove much of the undeveloped fruit, depending on how overloaded the tree is.
Next year, at the end of winter, remember to prune the trees!
Tree of the Week: Carob
The carob tree, Ceratonia siliqua, is not nearly as common as it once was. Although heavy surface roots make it a poor choice for a street tree, those that were commonly planted for that purpose through the 1960s are now quite mature. The one pictured here in the garden of my colleague, Brent Green, is rather picturesque and really should be in my garden.
The carob tree grows at a moderate rate, so that it may be 25 years or more before it develops its characteristically gnarled trunk. Carob trees can eventually grow to 30 feet tall and wide. The dark green foliage is very dense and glossy. Leaves are pinnately divided into six to 10 round leaflets, each about two inches long.
Small red flowers in spring are not showy. They have a bad smell and are fly-pollinated. Female trees are messy and drop dark brown pods, which may grow to 10 inches long. Incidentally, these pods may be milled into a fine powder and used as a cocoa substitute.
Carob trees prefer less irrigation than most gardens get. However, once established, they will survive without any irrigation and are useful in uncultivated areas.
Horticulturist Tony Tomeo can be contacted at 408.358.2574.
Willow Glen, California Since 1992
