Southern California gardening guide

September can be too hot to think about fall planting -- or to do much of anything but water.

Fall usually doesn’t arrive for gardeners until the middle of October at the earliest.

Days are getting short and nights cool, but keep on planting because it’s still the best season for just about anything, including spring bulbs and California natives.

Fall is officially over in December, but the planting season continues right into January.

January is historically a dry month in the garden, so most years it is a fine time to plant roses and deciduous fruit trees, such as apples and plums.

Historically, February is often our rainiest month, so it is not a busy time for gardeners.

Spring has arrived, though officially not until the 21st.

As the days lengthen and the sun gets higher and hotter, watering becomes more important.

June may be famous for its gloom, but gray skies let gardeners plant the last of the summer crops and flowers.

Find a place in the shade, pour yourself a tall iced tea and take July off.

Even if the heat comes blasting into your corner of Southern California, there’s plenty to do.