West Newsmagazine 5-6-20

34 I SPRING HOME & GARDEN I
May 6, 2020
WEST NEWSMAGAZINE
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By KATE UPTERGROVE
It’s May – finally – and that means it’s
planting season. As the old rule of thumb
goes, it’s safest to plant after Mother’s
Day. According to the Farmer’s Almanac,
the reason for waiting until then is to prevent
delicate plants from the chance of a
killing frost sweeping through your young
garden.
So this weekend, it’s safe
to head to the local garden
store, purchase your favorite
warm-season annuals, faithful
perennials and vegetable
garden staples, and start
planting.
Right now is the perfect
time to plant gladiolus bulbs.
For staggered blooming
continue to plant bulbs at
two-week intervals into midsummer.
Hardy water lilies can be
planted in tubs or garden
pools. Around garden pools
or swimming pools consider
planting summer bulbs such
as caladiums, dahlias, cannas
and elephant ears.
For plants that have already
bloomed, such as spring
bulbs, azaleas and rhododendrons, a bit
of love is needed now. Azaleas should be
fertilized after blooming using a acid reaction
formulation or gently loosen the soil
around the plant’s base and mulch with a
thick layer of pine needles. High in acid,
pine needles are Mother Nature’s slowrelease
fertilizer for all plants that thrive in
an acidic environment. As azaleas and rhododendron
blossoms fade, pinch the bloom
back – but remember, double flowered azaleas
need no pinching.
Speaking of fertilizer and pinching,
annuals should be fertilized at regular
intervals throughout summer to ensure
healthy plants and beautiful blooms; mums
that bloomed last fall should be pinched
back now to promote bushy growth.
Finally, while you don’t want to remove
the foliage of bulbs too soon, May is a good
time to divide spring bulbs after the foliage
dies. Removing the foliage too soon can
stunt the chance of bountiful blooms next
spring.
In the vegetable garden, it’s not too late to
plant lettuce and other leafy greens, though
they won’t do well in the heat of summer.
Growing lettuce under screening materials
will slow bolting and extend harvests
into hot weather, according to the Missouri
Botanical Garden’s Tips and Tasks for May.
@WESTNEWSMAG
WESTNEWSMAGAZINE.COM
Mother’s Day means it’s time to
turn your thumb green
Tomatoes, cucumbers, squash, peppers,
eggplant, cabbage, broccoli and sweet
potatoes all can go in the ground in May.
A few words of warning for cabbage and
broccoli, both attract very hungry caterpillars
that will eat the plants to a nub if not
dealt with by handpicking or using biological
sprays. Check with your local garden
center for sprays that are safe for humans
and pets but deter caterpillars.
[Source: Adobe Stock]
If you are planting squash or cucumbers,
it is very wise to place a marker where the
plant has been set into the ground. That
way, you’ll know where to water its roots
once its vines have spread. If planting
cucumbers, now is a great time to plant
some dill for use in pickling, but don’t fertilize.
Herbs planted in average soils need
no extra fertilizer, which may reduce flavor
and pungency at harvest. The Botanical
Garden warns to watch for striped and spotted
beetles on both squash and cucumber
plants. These pesky invaders can spread
wilt and mosaic diseases, potentially ruining
your future harvest.
Blueberries are another of those acidloving
plants that do well with pine needles
at their feet. Sawdust – pine, of course – is
another good option.
Finally, just as you are anxious to get
out of the house, so are your houseplants.
With nights staying above 50 degrees, it’s
safe to move your houseplants outdoors.
Try to keep them away from the heat of
afternoon sun and do keep their roots moist
by filling their pots to the brim with soil
or mulch. Water regularly but move them
out of harm’s way during torrential rains.
Houseplants tend to grow faster outdoors
so fertilize regularly to ensure their good
health.