Sunday Gazette: July 12, 2026
Hello Riverside, and Happy Sunday! Today is National Simplicity Day, a nod to Henry David Thoreau and his idea that life gets better when we clear out the clutter and focus on what actually matters. No grand gestures needed: maybe it's a slower cup of coffee, a walk without your phone, or just letting the to-do list wait an hour. Whatever your Sunday looks like, we hope there's a little room in it for simple.
See you tomorrow!
Advertisement (Become an advertiser)
FROM THE KITCHEN GARDEN
July, The Summer Abundance Edition
Tips on what to plant, when to pick, and what to watch out for in your home garden.
July is the month when Riverside gardens either thrive or struggle, and the difference often comes down to water management. Tomatoes are producing by the basketful, peppers are finally hitting their stride, and zucchini seems determined to take over the entire garden. At the same time, our intense summer heat can stress plants quickly if irrigation isn't adjusted. If your plants are wilting in the afternoon but perk back up by evening, that's often just a normal response to the heat. If they're still wilted the following morning, it's time to increase your watering.
One of the most common questions I'm getting right now is about shade cloth. It can be an excellent tool during extreme heat waves, especially when temperatures climb above 100°F for several days. Shade cloth helps reduce sunburn on tomatoes, peppers, and cucumbers while lowering overall plant stress. However, using it too early or leaving it up all summer can actually reduce flowering and slow production. Tomatoes and peppers still need plenty of sunlight to produce a good harvest. If your garden receives morning sun and temperatures are staying in the 90s, I'd skip the shade cloth for now. Save it for those true heat events when the forecast is calling for several consecutive days of triple-digit temperatures.
Like most things in gardening, there are trade-offs. Too much shade can lead to lower yields, slower ripening, and weaker plant growth. On the other hand, the right amount of temporary shade during a heat wave can help prevent blossom drop, sunscald, and severe heat stress. Think of shade cloth as a seasonal tool, not a permanent part of your garden.
If you're unsure what will work best in your space, try experimenting. Shade only half of your garden for a couple of weeks and compare the results. Watch the differences in plant stress, fruit production, and overall growth. One of the things I love most about gardening is that there isn't just one right way to do it. Every garden is different, and sometimes the best teacher is simply trying something new. And here's the funny part — even if you figure out exactly what works this year, next season may throw you an entirely different challenge!
Read and share the complete story...
Advertisement (Become an advertiser)
CREATIVE PROMPTS
Crumdiddlyumptious
A prompt to encourage your practice of creativity this week from Riversider and local author Larry Burns.
Now that the smoke has cleared from Mt Rubidoux and the cake’s been consumed, let’s return to a more traditional creative nudge. This week, we turn our attention to…breadcrumbs.
I never use the singular “breadcrumb.” A breadcrumb alone is barely a thing. Solo it can pass itself off as lint or a grain of sand. Breadcrumbs really thrive in groups. They gather on cutting boards (why am I the only person in the house that cleans them), in toaster trays (again, does anyone else know these can be cleaned out), and carried on shirt fronts. This makes them perfectly findable for creative contemplation.
I know breadcrumbs well because I eat buttered sourdough toast as a late night snack. Not every night, because I am a person of discipline and restraint. Just nearly every night, which is completely different. Sourdough toast is one of life’s reliable pleasures: crisp, aromatic, and gone too soon. The crumbs remain, where they wait to become evidence or creative prompt.
Breadcrumbs are excellent metaphors. They suggest clues, paths, memory, and shoddy housekeeping. We leave breadcrumbs when we want to find our way back. We follow breadcrumbs when we’re trying to understand how we got here in the first place.
Read and share the complete story...
Advertisement (Become an advertiser)
This Week in Riverside
This is just a sample of what's happening around town — visit our full community calendar for more.
Save the Date
- July 13: River Camp with IE Kids Outdoors at Martha McLean Park ($235)
- July 20: Camp Riverside with IE Kids Outdoors at California State Citrus Heritage Park ($200)
🗓️ See More Events 📝 Submit Your Event
📸 Submit a photo to be featured in our newsletters and social media accounts.
🏆 Nominate a remarkable Riversider as Neighbor of the Week.