Education
Your Garden
http://www.hsvbg.org/documents/yourgarden/yourgarden-july13.pdfThings you could or should be doing in your garden ...
MAY 2013
All Month
-
Watch for outbreaks of aphids and thrips on all garden plants; spray early with insecticidal soap or NEEM oil to combat infestations before they become widespread
- Plant heat-loving annuals such as periwinkle, coleus, begonias and lantana and summer bulbs such as caladiums and elephant ears
- Be on the lookout for drought stress on newly transplanted trees and shrubs; their roots have not grown out into the native soil and will need supplemental watering to become established
Week One
-
Cover squash plants with spun-bound row cover to keep the squash vine borer moth from laying eggs on young squash and zucchini vines
- Stake and mulch all tomatoes in the garden; prune off suckers
- Sow beans, peas and okra directly in the garden once soil temperature reaches 60 degrees F
Week Two
-
Apply Bacillius thuringiensis to all needle evergreens to control bagworms
- Prune side shoots of climbing roses back to 6-8 inches long after flowering to promote more flowering shoots for next year
- Be on the lookout for blackspot on roses and begin a regular spray program on hybrid teas or plant low maintenance shrub roses that are more disease resistant
Week Three
-
Deadhead bearded iris after they have finished flowering so that energy is not wasted on seed production
- Control broadleaf weeds in lawns with an appropriate post-emergent herbicide
- Make sure tomatoes receive even moisture during flowering and early fruit set to discourage blossom-end rot
Week Four
- Apply second application of turf fertilizer in warm season grasses using one pound of actual Nitrogen/1000 sq. ft.
- Water lawns deeply and irregularly to encourage deep rooting; apply at least ½ inch of water at one time before 10:00 am
- Deadhead annuals regularly to encourage flowering throughout the season
Download May2013 pdf
