Gardening : Weekend Checklist for Dedicated Diggers and Planters

For dedicated gardeners, here are suggestions from the California Assn. of Nurserymen:

Keep mowing your lawn high to help keep the roots cooler, the grass greener and definitely happier in the August heat.

Be on the lookout for aphids, caterpillars and thrips during the hot weather. These pests can be controlled a number of ways; ask the staff at your local garden center.

For top-notch blooms from Japanese iris, remember to water them well before and during the flowering season.

Has the garden finished blooming? If so, some plants may have suffered from the heat, overly dry soils or even insect damage. If they still look good, they may just need a shot of liquid fertilizer to get them back to blooming.