Horticulture News and Tips

• The June Gardener (2007)
• The May Gardener (2007)
• Viburnum Leaf Beetle Alert (2006)

THE JUNE [2007] GARDENER

1. Plant Okra, lima beans, beans spinach
2. Peppers-mid June when soil is 55 degrees along with eggplant and tomatoes
3. Plant sweet potatoes
4. Design and plant your containers and window boxes
5. Plant you annual vines mid to late June
6. Harden off the flowers and vegetables that were started in the house in late May and early June, depending on the weather
7. In mid June it’s time to plant the annuals
8. If you do not use soaker hose for your gardens remember all plants and lawn should only be watered between 5:00 A.M. and 8:00 A.M. The plants need an average of 1” of water a week. Use a rain gage; in the shade garden or where there is a canopy you may need more moisture
   

Walk that garden, but most of all HAVE FUN!

Kathrine Neville
Horticulture Chairman

THE MAY [2007] GARDENER

1. Harden seeds planted inside in April put outside in a shady protected area before planting in the garden
2. Fertilize bulbs with organic fertilizer
3. Prune early spring blooming shrubs as soon as they are through blooming
4. House plants go outside went temperature of outside is the same as inside/ in the shade for at least a week before putting them in the sun.
5. Ask Nursery people as you shop for plants for the new deer resistant and mildew resistant plants
6. Know your enemy-this is the time for insects also caterpillars which may become butterflies-remember the birds need those insects to feed their young- be aware of what you are spraying/ or avoid spraying all together and let those natural predators take over.
7. Use Horticultural oil and baking soda formula, once a week on roses and other plants which have a tendency towards powdery mildew/ Hort. Oil is great for smothering aphids
8. Cut back the wisteria after blooming and root prune it.
9. Clean all the containers and window boxes with a strong solution of bleach and hot water (if they fit put them in the dishwasher) ALWAYS use new soil never reuse-put the used container soil in the compost pile.
10. Walk your garden everyday, get to know the plants and you will be able to react to changes quickly before great damage is done.

Kathrine Neville
Horticulture Chairman

Previous "The Gardener" columns are available in the Archives.