Many joyful gardeners have been dropping by the nursery in recent
weeks to talk about the success of their tomato crops. The rains mix-
ed with the cooler spring weather has created perfect conditions to
make 2017 a banner year for our favorite fruit. Congratulations
gardeners! Some jobs for this month:
1. Water Early morning is the best time… otherwise most of the
irrigation water evaporates. Deep soaking is best because it gives
the plant a greater reservoir to draw from.
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2. Native Tree Care This month generally turns out to be pretty
hot and dry. Remember your trees are going to be thirsty too. A
small amount of rain does little to carry moisture deep into the soil.
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3. Mulch This will cool the roots and slow the water loss from ev-
aporation. Mixing your mulch 50:50 (bag-for-bag) with compost,
will add nutrition and relieve stress.
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4. Slow release fertilizers When feeding flowerbeds and turf, be
sure to use an organic-based, slow-release fertilizer. You will avoid
burning plant roots in the summer heat and will have little impact
on our watershed. Foliar sprays with seaweed will also help reduce
heat stress.
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5. Care for your roses The first flush of your spring roses has fin-
ished. The flowering ends of the rose stems have probably formed
hips (seed pods). Cut them off and there will be a new round of flow-
ering. Also, give them some rose food. Examine them for any sign
of insects, especially spidermites, and treat with horticultural oil
(Sunspray or All Seasons) or Spinosad.
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6. Mow high Cut your grass as high as you can stand. Longer grass
blades will help shade the turf and conserve water. Leave clippings
on the lawn.
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7. Add summer color This is the right time to plant heat-loving
summer color in those empty spaces. Planting in the morning and
evening is best. For summer color, zinnias, purslane, moss rose,
and vinca seem to be the hardiest. Make sure they get enough wa-
ter after you plant them. Happy gardening everyone! `
