Gardening Calendar

Ornamentals

• Fertilize azaleas after bloom. Use a formulation that has an acid reaction.
• Week 1: Begin planting gladiolus bulbs as the ground warms. Continue at two-week intervals.
• Weeks 1-2: Don’t remove spring bulb foliage prematurely or next year’s flower production will decline. Canker worms (inch worms) rarely cause permanent damage to ornamentals. Use B.T. if control is deemed necessary.
• Week 4: Pinch back mums to promote bushy growth.

Fruits

• Mulch blueberries with pine needles or sawdust.
• Week 1: Don’t spray any fruits while in bloom. Refer to local Extension publications for fruit spray schedules.
• Week 4: Prune unwanted shoots as they appear on fruit trees.

Vegetables

• Growing lettuce under screening materials will slow bolting and extend harvests into hot weather.
• Week 1: Set out tomato plants as soils warm. Place support stakes alongside at planting time.
• Weeks 1-2: Plant dill to use when making pickles.
• Weeks 2-4: Watch for striped and spotted cucumber beetles now. Both may spread wilt and mosaic diseases to squash and cucumber plants.
• Weeks 3-4: Set out peppers and eggplants after soils have warmed. Plant sweet potatoes now.

Turfgrass

• Weeks 2-4: Mow zoysia lawns at 1.5 inch height. Remove no more than one-half inch at each mowing. Apply post-emergence broadleaf weed controls now if needed.
• Week 4: Watch for sod webworms emerging now.

General Gardening

• Birds eat many insect pests. Attract them to your garden by providing good nesting habitats.
• Weeks 2-4:Herbs planted in average soils need no extra fertilizer. Too much may reduce flavor and pungency at harvest.
• Weeks 3-4:Take houseplants outdoors when nights will remain above 50 degrees. Most prefer only direct morning sun.