Bright flowers near tomato plants will attract pollinators.
A gardener’s work is never done – and it’s true! But don’t worry; it’s a good thing.
Here are some great garden hacks for May that will possibly make your summer gardening less demanding. Thanks to my friends Walter Reeves, walterreeves.com, and Joe Lamp’l, joegardener.com, check out these garden to-dos and other expert gardening advice.
Pruning
Better blooms – Late spring is a great time to prune spring-blooming plants, such as azaleas, rhododendron, forsythia; you can even tip-prune camellias cutting 2 to 4 inches from the ends of the branches to stimulate more new growth. Rehabilitation pruning – to encourage more leaf output and remove dead branches – will reap huge rewards in next year’s garden. Just be sure that your spring-flowering plants have finished for the season.
For azaleas, remove the tall straight sprouts that come from the base inside the shrub. If the leaves of your azaleas look like they have tiny white spots, you’ve got lace bugs. Spray under the leaves with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil and synthetic insecticide chemicals all work well.
Check for bugs on your ornamental trees – various types of cherries, crepe myrtle and Japanese maples. If you see “toothpick-like” extrusions from the trunks or larger branches, you’ve got Asian ambrosia beetles and spread a deadly fungus. It’s difficult to treat once the signs appear; experts recommend prevention, using permethrin spray. Read the label for mixing and use instructions. It will require repeated treatments, but once it’s under control, switch to Neem oil, again following the package instructions. If the case is severe, the only solution is to remove the plant and discard.
Tomatoes – Yummy!
Tomatoes are the stars of the summer garden, and are among the most popular vegetables grown in home gardens. To net bigger fruits, water deeply and do not let the soil completely dry out.
If you’ve planted them in grow bags or other containers, they will need more frequent watering and fertilizing. Choose a fertilizer with a ratio of 5-10-5 or 5-10-10 NPK – nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium – to courage better fruit production and overall health.
Place a couple of layers of newspaper around each plant after watering in the fertilizer, then top the soil with 1 or 2 inches of mulch. Remove lower leaves from the plants to keep them at least 8 to 12 inches above the soil and protect them from water splashes coming from the soil.
Always water close to the soil and avoid wetting the leaves to prevent leaf diseases. Pinch off any leaves that get spots or turn yellow and wither. Discard them in a bag and put them in the trash.
Vegetables and fruits rely on pollinators. To bring these important insects to your food gardens, plant brightly colored annuals, such as marigolds, nasturtiums and annual salvia to show them the way.
A word about sunscreens
Sunscreen has saved lives. Choose one that’s got 30 spf; an spf higher than that is a waste of money. Apply it liberally first thing in the morning, then again several hours later, particularly if you have been perspiring.
Choose light-weight clothing that’s rated “sun-protective.” Wear a hat with a wide brim and a sun flap. Cover your arms with gardening sleeves.
As a kid I never wore sunscreen and I’m often at the dermatologist to remove “things” from my face, arms, legs and back. Regular sunscreen applications when you’re outdoors can help protect your skin. Seriously.
Photo: by Pamela A. Keene
Reeves in his garden.
Well-known gardener Walter Reeves has died
Gardening broadcaster, journalist and former UGA Extension Agent Walter Reeves passed away on Friday, April 10, from complications of Parkinson’s Disease. Known affectionately as the Georgia Gardener, he had retired from 95.5 WSB radio six years ago, passing the gardening torch to Ashley Frasca. Her 6 to 9 a.m. “Green and Growing” every Saturday morning radio is very informative, entertaining and filled with the same wide range of gardening information that Walter was known for. He broadcast “The Lawn and Garden Show with Walter Reeves” for 26 years. At this time, his website will remain online at walterreeves.com.
