Gardening Calendar

Ornamentals

• Watch for bagworms feeding on many garden plants, but especially juniper and arborvitae.
• Week 1: Deadhead bulbs and spring flowering perennials as blossoms fade.
• Weeks 2-3: Apply organic mulches as the soil warms. These will conserve moisture, discourage weeds and enrich the soil as they decay.
• Weeks 2-3: Most houseplants brought outside prefer a bright spot shaded from afternoon sun. Check soil moisture daily during hot weather.
• Weeks 2-4: Plant tropica water lilies wehn water temperatures rise above 70 degrees.
• Weeks 3-4: Trees and shrubs may still be fertilized before July 4th.
• Weeks 3-4: Softwood cuttings can be taken from trees and shrubs as the spring flush of growth is beginning to mature.

Fruits

• Week 1: Oriental fruit moths emerge. Most serious on peaches where first generation attacks growing tips. Shoots will wilt. These should be pruned out.
• Week 1: Enjoy the strawberry harvest.
• Weeks 2-3: Renovate strawberries after harvest. Mow the rows; thin out excess plants; remove weeds; fertilize and apply a mulch for weed control.

Vegetables

• Early detection is essential for good control of vegetable pests.
• Weeks 1-2: Repeat plantings of corn and beans to extend the harvest season.
• Weeks 1-2: Plant pumpkins now to have Jack-o-lanterns for Halloween.
• Weeks 2-4: Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems make the most efficient use of water during dry times.
• Weeks 2-4: To minimize diseases, water with overhead irrigation early enough in the day to allow the foliage to dry before nightfall.

Turfgrass

• Water turf as needed to prevent drought stress.
• Mow lawns frequently enough to remove no more than one-third the total height per mowing. There is no need to remove clippings unless excessive.

General Gardening

• Weeks 3-4: When using any gas powered equipment, be sure to allow the engine a few minutes to cool before refilling empty fuel tanks.