by Chris Winslow
1.Plant flowers: This is a perfect time for flowering annuals and
perennials. Begonias, zinnias, marigolds, moss-roses, purslanes, and
vinca are all good choices. Perennials might include lantanas, sal-
vias, and verbenas.
2 Vegetable garden care: Water deeply to encourage a deep, drought
tolerant root system. Still time to add a few warm season crops: sweet
and hot peppers, green beans, okra, eggplant, and black-eyed peas.
Fertilize tomatoes.
3. Mulch: Place around all plants to conserve water and keep the
temperature around the plant roots comfortable. Mixing some compost
with the mulch will help replace nutrients as the plants grow.
4.Care of roses: Dead-head spring flowering roses to encourage a
new flush of flowers. Apply fertilizer to produce new flowers. Watch
for powdery mildew, black spot and western flower thrip. Treat with
organic sprays: Neem oil and wettable-sulphur.
5 .Move houseplants outside: Put them out for a spring breather.
Move them slowly towards their new light exposure. Too much sun
too fast will burn the leaves. This is also a good time for transplanting.
6. Insect control: All this new spring growth is attractive to every
kind of critter imaginable. Be nice to the environment (and to your-
self) and only use organic sprays. If you have larvae (caterpillars)
eating holes in your plants and trees, look for products that have B.T.
as the main ingredient. If sucking insects like aphids, spider mites,
whitefly, scale, and mealy bug are the problem, use Neem oil or
spinosad.
7. Maintain irrigation: If you own an automatic sprinkler system,
it would save water and money to have it tuned up. Set the contr-
oller for deep, infrequent watering to encourage a deep, drought-resist-
ant root system. Install rain sensor.
8. Fertilize lawn: Use an organic blend with a 3-1-2 ratio. Ten pounds
per 1,000 square feet of turf area should be adequate.
9. Feed the birds: With lots of new birds in the area, keep those
feeders full.
10. Grow basil: The top herb for the summer months is basil. With
the nights getting warmer, this wonderful herb should finally have
the temperatures it needs to take off. Happy Gardening Everyone!
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