By Sharon Cohoon, Sunset senior garden writer

I know it feels too hot to plant, Southern Californians.  It is.  But there are some great plant sales coming up.  So summon up enough energy to at least shop.  You can--and I would--store the plants in the shade until the temperature starts to drop.  

Sept. 26, Shipley Nature Center , Huntington Beach -- Native Plant Sale, 9-4.  Also bee lecture.  Find out why you shouldn't wear black if you're afraid of bees.  (No, I'm not telling.)

Oct. 10-11, Fullerton Arboretum, Fullerton  -- California native and fall plant sale. 10-4.

Oct. 10-11, The Huntington, San Marino -- Fall Plant Sale, 10:30-4:30 Ground covers you can substitute for turf will be one of the focuses this year.

Or head to Vernon this weekend (Sept. 26-27) to take advantage of the Windowbox going-out-of-business sale.  See Cindy McNatt's blog Dirt Dujour for details.  As she points out, great opportunity to buy cool pots, etc. for your plant-loving friends.

If you just can't budge out of that hammock, here are a few more sales that occur later, when hopefully it will be a little cooler:

Oct. 17-18 University of California Riverside Botanical Garden, Riverside -- Annual Fall PlantSale.

Oct. 17-18, Quail Botanical Gardens, Encinitas -- Fall Plant Sale

Oct. 24, Tree of Life Nursery -- Fall Plant Sale of the O.C. chapter of the California Native Plant Society