Fresno Gardening Green

Pick a bouquet of herbs in the early morning to retain flavor. Keep them in a vase and use them all week. Tasks Monitor soil moisture after rain and water if needed, especially for trees and shrubs. Renovate cool-season lawns remove thatch and aerate.

If you've noticed tiny, dark insects flying around your houseplants, you likely have fungus gnats. These tiny flies can be a nuisance indoors and may also damage your plants. Fungus gnats lay their eggs in moist soil and their larvae feed on plant roots and decaying organic matter.

Enjoy the last flush of blooming roses along with the bounty of the fall harvest. Tasks Adjust watering systems as weather cools. Remove and dispose of any fruit and nuts that cling to the tree. To discourage spider mites, spray hedges and shrubs with water to clean them and keep them free of dust.

The spotted lanternfly is beautiful when its wings are open, showing off a striped yellow abdomen and ruby red and black polka dot wings. But the pest could become a menace in California.

If you don't have a fall or winter garden, prepare for spring planting. Tasks Repair damaged spots in cool-season lawns (such as tall fescue) by scratching with a rake, seeding and covering with mulch. Keep moist until the new grass seedlings are well established.