Summer Gardening Tips
* Turn compost, moving material from bottom to
top, and from side to centre so it decomposes
evenly. Keep the pile moist so the microorganisms
can do their important composting work.
* Water newly planted trees and shrubs 2 or 3
times a week in hot weather. This will help keep
their original rootball moist so that new, healthy
roots can make their way into their new turf.
* The best time to water is early morning: more
water soaks in and less evaporates, and well-
watered plants are better prepared for a warm day.
* One of the best products for suppressing weeds,
enriching soil and conserving water during times
of drought may be right under your nose! Straw,
grass clippings, bark chips, and even shredded
newspaper make fabulous mulch. Mulch flowers,
fruit trees, shrubs, or any other plant in your
garden.
* If you are going away for the weekend, don't
forget to catch up on your watering before you
leave, and if possible, place hanging baskets and
container plantings that are succeptible to drying
out in a cool, shaded area so less moisture
evaporates from their leaf surfaces.
* Take some time off in the sun to organize your
past issues of GardenNotes. They will almost
certainly come in handy at a later date. We
recommend you use a large three ring binder;
we're already at issue 38, and at 5 information-
packed issues per year, we intend to produce many
more for your gardening enjoyment. See you this
summer!
Summer Gardening Hints
This spring and early summer have certainly been
seasons for the record books. Abundant rains and
cool temperatures have everyone wondering if this
is the midwest or the pacific northwest. Listed
below are some hints to help plants look and
produce to their fullest potential.
Moisture has certainly been abundant but we
shouldn't neglect applying moisture retentive
mulch. Many plants haven't developed extensive
root systems as they should have done by now. If
this is true of your plants, they may have
trouble coping with a sudden dry spell. Mulching
will help to conserve moisture and will help keep
down the weeds which haven't had any trouble at
all growing this year.
Keep annual and perennial flowers deadheaded.
Removing spent flowers keeps annuals producing
continuously. Deadheading outsmarts an annual
flower's natural tendency to set seed and quit
blooming. After all, setting seed is the main
goal of annual flowers. For perennial flowers,
deadheading keeps plants looking neat and
eliminates the energy wasting process of seed
production. This allows the energy to return to
the root system, resulting in a stronger plant.
Of course, if you are a gardener who enjoys
collecting and growing your own seed, you'll need
to allow seed production to occur. Don't forget
to cut a few of those beautiful flowers for
enjoyment in the house as well.
Hanging baskets and containerized plants need
regular fertilization. The roots of containerized
plants are confined and unable to go in search
of food. Food must be provided on a regular
basis to keep plants growing and blooming well.
Water soluble and slow release fertilizers work
effectively in these situations. Follow label
directions for frequency and amount of
fertilizer to use.
If your perennials are anything like mine,
abundant water and lack of sunlight have made
for extensive weak, floppy growth even on sturdy
plants. Tall-growing plants like delphiniums are
especially vulnerable to lodging. Staking is
necessary to keep flowers off the ground and to
prevent stems from breaking. Decorative stakes
can be purchased at local garden centers and
nurseries or through mailorder sources. Small
tree branches can be used as well. When tying
the plant to the stake, allow for some movement
of the plant and avoid using ties that can sever
the plant stem.
In the vegetable garden, staking or caging
tomatoes will help reduce disease levels from
soil-borne pathogens like blight. With the
weather conditions we have had, many disease
organisms have had the perfect environment for
development. Raising plants upward also keeps
developing fruit free of dirt. Rabbits have
been busy this year devouring peas, beets,
beans, etc., etc. The most effective control
is the installation of a fence around the
garden. If you have a large garden, and
fencing the entire area is not feasible, you
may want to consider grouping the rabbits'
favorites in one area and installing a fence
around the smaller part. Repellents aren't as
effective because they wash away with rain.
With the abundant rain and cool weather, our
lawns haven't slowed in growth one bit.
Remember to sharpen lawnmower blades frequently
to prevent excessive injury to the grass blades.
Mow frequently enough to remove only 1/3 of the
leaf surface at one time.
Keep a watchful eye on trees, shrubs, and other
plant materials for harmful insect infestations.
Catching the problem in its early stages is the
key for successful control of many insects. With
disease organisms, several fungicide controls are
used as protectants and need to be applied in the
spring as new growth begins and repeated as long
as wet weather persists. For many of the leaf
spots it is too late to begin control; however,
leaf spot alone seldom kills plants.
