Verdant View - August 2025 - El Ojo del Lago

It’s In The Details

Cousins, brother George and author on Lake Chápala
Circa 1968
photo by Fco. J. Gonzalez Murgia (my dad)

Lake Chapala has always drawn me to her shores. As a child growing up in Guadalajara, I’d visit my “wealthy” cousins at their weekend home in San Juan Cosala on holidays and weekends. I didn’t really know what to expect when my favorite cousin Lalo first invited me to spend the weekend in Chapala. As usual, I overthought the whole thing, brought my new, crisp pajamas for sleeping, new toothbrush, etc. When sleep time came, my cousins simply stripped down to their skivvies and jumped into their bunk beds. I slept like a mummy, wrapped in my new pajamas, arms crossed at my chest, not moving, listening to the noises emanating from my cousins’ constant chatter. I soon learned that the weekend Chapala house was a place for casual comfort, and I loosened up quickly.

My favorite times were when my cousins took me out on their Adirondack and we, independently of the adults, would go exploring. Until then my boating excursions were few. I soon learned to love gliding along the lake’s surface, looking down constantly trying to capture a glimpse of a creature. I also learned to water ski on Lake Chapala. My cousins simply fitted my feet with skis, gave me the rope handle and said, “Here we go!” I learned quickly and also learned to ask my cousins for detailed directions. They just assumed that we all knew how to boat and water ski. They learned a few lessons along the way too.

Needless to say, this lake holds a special place in my heart and memory. Living here now for the last 15 years has also provided new, cherished memories for myself and my husband. I am constantly thanking the Lady of the Lake, Michicihualli for giving me such treasured moments.

What to plant in August

It is still warm and rainy during this month. The viveros have Marigolds, Zinnias, Cosmos, sunflowers, Phlox, Cleome and Kniphofia (red hot poker), as well as other treasures such as Cyclamen and Penta. You can still plant the hot weather veggies as it won’t be cold until late October and most take 60 to 90 days to mature. You can plant artichokes, both Globe and Jerusalem any time from July to November. Do plant Celosia, snapdragon, Phlox, Petunia and Stock seeds now. Also, Gloriosa lily, which is easy to grow and is an exotic, climbing lily-type flower. Last chance to prune your poinsettias for Christmas bloom. Keep up with weeds, fertilizer, pest control and deadheading. Cut back your herbs. They’ll just keep growing. Freeze or dry what herbs you don’t immediately use. Think of seeds you will be starting in September. Your gardening friends are excellent sources of seeds and cuttings. The garden pests are out in full force. Keep an eye out for them and deal with problems at once, before they get out of hand.

What to do in your garden in August

When you plan the layout of your fall and winter gardens, consider which new crops should follow those just removed. Follow heavy feeders with light feeders, and vice versa. Heavy feeders include beets, broccoli, cabbage, celery, collards, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, endive, escarole, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, okra, parsley, pumpkins, radishes, rhubarb, spinach, squash, and tomatoes. Light feeders include carrots, chard, garlic, leeks, mustard, onions, parsnips, peppers, potatoes, rutabaga, shallots, sweet potatoes, and turnips.

Encourage longer blooming periods by removing mature flowers and seed pods of Coreopsis, Cosmos, Gaillardia, Marigold and Zinnia.

If you’re not going to have a winter garden, cover crops are an excellent alternative; choices include alfalfa, soybeans, fava beans, winter rye, and winter wheat. Till them in next spring two or three weeks before planting as “green manure” to give it time to decompose and not “burn” seeds or delicate seedling roots.

My garden group has found that watering your trees deeply instead of regular topical watering is more effective. Better tree growth and less watering time and energy are the benefits.