May 2024 Edition

Time to Complete Your Garden
By: Howard Galin / Happy Gardening
In May, we have the opportunity to spend a
great deal of time completing any remaining
activities needed for a successful growing season.
If you are planning on adding any plants or perhaps adding raised
beds to your landscape, you may need to add additional “soil” to your
garden. This leads to the question: “Is there a difference between
garden soil and potting soil and are
they interchangeable?”
There is a difference and they are
NOT interchangeable!
Usually, potting soil is not soil at all,
but is made up of organic materials
that are mixed with chemical
additives necessary for plant growth.
It is primarily used in indoor pots and certain decorative planters
around your garden.
Garden soil is “real soil” that is rich in organic materials and
biological activity that has been augmented with compost to retain
moisture. Whether using potting soil (indoors) or garden soil in
your garden, make certain that you “solar sterilize” by placing the
unopened bags of soil in direct sunlight outdoors for a full day. The
sun will heat the soil to about 160 F killing off all insect eggs and
organisms.
Outdoors, if you are going to add organic mulch to your soil,
first apply a layer of diatomaceous soil to inhibit infestation of
“exoskeleton” insects in your garden.
With the exception of Palms, May through early June is the last time
to apply fertilizer to your landscaping since you do not want to stimulate
delicate plant growth that can be damaged by high temperatures and
direct summer sun. Check for yellowing leaves which can be caused
by iron deficiency (Chlorosis) and
apply chelated iron when needed.
As a “proactive” measure, you
should apply systemic insecticide
to the soil around the root areas to
prevent insects. For visible insect
infestation, treat with any “contact”
insecticide.
Follow the Summer irrigation schedule setting timers to a pre-dawn
and/or post sunset start time with a 30 minutes run time. Frequently
check drip/bubble emitters for proper location and for blockage and
reposition and/replace where necessary.
Have a gardening question? Contact me: Theplantwhisperer28@
gmail.com.
Howard Galin is a University of Nevada certified Master
Gardener who lectures on, and writes about native plants and
desert landscaping
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May 2024