Overwhelmed by the sudden demands of your garden as spring comes alive? With the advent of warm weather, it seems every plant suddenly needs attention. Ron's suggestions will help see you through.
* Go ahead and set out transplants of tomato, pepper, eggplant, cucumber, summer and winter squash, and melons this weekend. If the forecast holds, conditions should be ideal with night time temperatures in the 50F range and some showers to take care of watering needs for the transplants. If this weekend’s activities interfere with planting, choose another day when it is cloudy or plant in early evening.
* Make additional sowings of cool season crops such as carrots, beets, leafy greens, and radishes. If transplants of onions, cabbage, and broccoli are still available, it’s not too late to plant these.
* Plant coral bells (Heuchera) in sunny, drought-prone areas of the garden. ‘Palace Purple’ was perhaps the first popular cultivated variety of this plant. Its name derives from the fact that it was discovered on the palace grounds of the Royal Botanical Gardens at Kew in London, England. While the flowers are small but attractive, it’s the foliage of coral bells that is especially ornate and provides color and interest throughout the growing season.
* Plant lady’s mantle (Alchemilla) in dry shade. Finding plants for dry and shady areas of the yard is one of the most difficult planting problems for gardeners. Other perennials that grow well in dry shade are bergenia, barrenwort (Epimedium), crane’s bill (Geranium), lungwort (Pulmonaria), dead nettle (Lamium), and many ferns.
* Begin a daily routine of inspecting vegetable crops for pest problems. Asparagus beetles, flea beetles, cabbage aphids, imported cabbageworms, Colorado potato beetles and leaf miners (on spinach) are active now. Handpicking the larger pests, such as potato beetles, is one option for mitigating their incursions. Placing row covers over some plants can deter marauding critters, but once an infestation occurs, opt for organic pest control materials.
* Keep in mind that spring flowering shrubs such as forsythia, lilacs, rhododendrons, azaleas, and viburnums bloom from buds formed last summer. Therefore, if pruning is necessary, it should be done soon after these shrubs have completed their spring bloom.
* Repurpose blocks of Styrofoam by placing some in the bottom of deep containers to be used for patio plantings. This reduces the amount of soil needed and lightens pots, making them easier to move around. Packing peanuts can be used but put these in old socks, nylon stockings, or in mesh bags, such as those which onions come in at the super market. This will make it easier to separate the peanuts from soil when emptying pots at the end of the growing season.
* To many people, Memorial Day means setting out hanging baskets, filling flower boxes, picnicking with family and friends, or just hanging out. Whatever it is that you are doing, pause to reflect on what this day is all about. It sure puts things in perspective.
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