Northern California Coastal & Inland Valleys Protect Drip
Irrigation Place a thick layer of mulch over soaker hoses and
drip irrigation systems. In hot weather, water evaporates
quickly. So quickly in fact that it may not even reach the
ground if you use overhead sprinklers. Soaker hoses are the
perfect way to water trees and shrubs. Another reason to cover
the hoses is that they may deteriorate rapidly in the sun unless
they are protected by a layer of mulch. Don't over fertilize
tomatoes with fertilizer high in nitrogen. The result will be
blossom drop and that means no more tomatoes. Use liquid fish or
half-strength chemical fertilizer to keep your tomatoes
producing through the end of summer. Water deeply and
infrequently for the best flavor. Weeds will rob nutrients and
water from nearby ornamental plants. Water the day before you
decide to pull weeds. The damp soil will help those roots to
slip easily from the ground. If you don't get the roots, the
weeds will grow right back! For the Birds Provide a so