Despite the heat, what a gorgeous month! Spring wildflowers have faded and are forming seed heads, Christmas gift poinsettias are a bit uncertain as to their future, and lawns are developing annual brown spots. Ah, but look around the garden, giant blue and creamy white agapanthus (Lily of the Nile) are flowering on nearly every street corner. Tidy salmon pink and fiery red impatiens ad style to gasoline station landscapes, pharmacies and banks. Vibrant cerise bougainvillea clamor wherever there is a sunny wall, while hibiscus search for direct sunshine — none shying away from zooming temperatures that can rankle us home gardeners. As nature turns up the heat, step outside and enjoy the summer blooms and take heart, there are still delightful and needed activities going on in the garden.

The Governor is calling for water conservation, perhaps even rationing — water-use is high priority, and the gardener’s No. 1 chore this month. Garden centers are bursting with brilliant colored annuals, shrubs and hearty young vegetable plants. New plants, especially from six-packs, will need almost daily watering to survive. Wean gradually then after a couple of weeks taper off. If you have planted drought-tolerant plants, even better (though most do well with some water). Any major changes should be put off till fall.

Now, before succumbing to water nightmares, collect wildflower heads that have formed seeds, place in a brown paper bag, store in a dry location and save for a beautiful spring meadow next year — one of nature’s natural rewards.

In your July garden: Do as many chores as you can in the morning. Harvest vegetables and pick flowers at the crack of dawn. Always water early so foliage can quickly dry, which helps to prevent disease. On a hot afternoon, it’s alright to cool plants with a light spray. Installing a drip system helps conserve run-off water, and mulch with a layer of bark or straw helps retain ground moisture. Most plants do not need fertilizer in summer. Exceptions include roses, warm-season lawns and summer annuals. Anything growing in a container needs regular monthly fertilizing.

Don’t give up on tomatoes — homegrown are so sweet and juicy and easy to peel. Sometimes in very warm weather they will stop fruiting in midsummer because it is too hot. They will begin again when the weather cools. Water deeply but infrequently and give them little or no fertilizer.

Continue to plant summer veggies, such as snap bean, beet, carrot, corn, radish, summer squash and sunflower. If seeds appear reluctant to germinate, keep them moist and provide a little shade. As the plants develop three leaves, ease off watering. Watch out for snails — oh, how they love tiny fresh greens.

Because of shallow roots, irrigate fruit trees especially citrus, they need more water more often. Other trees planted last winter need a good soaking every two weeks. Leaves yellowing between the veins in summer are signs of chlorosis. Cure with fertilizer with trace elements such as iron or zinc.

Summer is a perfect time to start a water garden. Nurseries stock aquatic plants, including giant water lilies that bloom all summer and fall. Ornamental pools do not have to be large or elaborate for a few plants. Garden centers carry several sizes of black plastic containers that can be sunk into the ground. Simple kits are available at most nurseries. Add side rocks and groups of bog plants and you have an attractive pond. A small properly balanced pool of plants, fish and snails will not have to be emptied, nor do you need a pump and filer (except if you add koi fish).

Now, relax in a hammock, sip lemonade and make summer in your garden exciting and pleasurable! For more summer garden information, see “Southern California Gardening” by Pat Walsh.