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Spring is here againBy Tara McKnight CEA- Hort. Texas AgriLife Extension Service Wichita County Wow, May already!! The weather has been so pleasant lately. With nice weather comes the opportunity to spend time outside getting some chores and gardening done. Here is a list of items that can be done for the month of May. It is not too late to sow directly into the soil seeds of sunflower, zinnia, morning glory, portulaca, marigold, cosmos, periwinkles, and gourds. Achimenes, cannas, dahlias, and other summer-flowering bulbs can also be planted in May. Allow foliage of spring-flowering bulbs to mature and yellow before removing. Pinch back the terminal growth on newly planted annual and perennial plants. This will result in shorter, more compact, well branched plants with more flowers. Time to plant caladium tubers, impatiens, coleus, begonias and pentas in shady areas. Replace or replenish mulch materials in flower beds and shrub borders to conserve moisture and reduce weed growth. Make cuttings of your favorite chrysanthemums and root them in a mixture of sand and peat moss. Cover cutting box with plastic and place in shaded area for 5 or 6 days to prevent wilting. Prune climbing roses as they complete their spring bloom season. Remove dead or weak wood as needed. Take a critical look at your landscape while at the height of summer development. Make notes of how you think it can be better arranged, plants that need replacement, overgrown plants that need to be removed, and possible activity areas that can be enjoyed by family members. Check for insects and diseases. Destroy badly infested plants. Spider mites can be especially troublesome at this time. Select a chemical or organic control, or use insecticidal soap. During the summer, soil moisture becomes extremely important and essential for good plant production. Because continual watering is oftentimes costly and time consuming, it pays to conserve the moisture around plants. This is best done by mulching. A good mulch will retain valuable moisture needed for plant growth, and improve overall gardening success. Mulches are usually applied 2 to 6 inches deep, depending on the material used. In general, the coarser the material, the deeper the mulch. For example, a 2-inch layer of cottonseed hulls will have about the same mulching effect as 6 inches of oat straw or 4 inches of coastal Bermuda hay. Watch out for water stress. We have not been receiving the normal spring rains that we need. Check your lawn and flower beds to see if they need water. Try and apply 1 inch of water to the area, giving it time to soak in without running off. Check the areas weekly to determine if you should water. Your garden and landscape questions are always welcome. You may either contact me at our County Extension office, 716-8610, or by e-mail, tcmcknight@ag.tamu.edu. You are always encouraged to visit the Wichita County Master Gardner website at www.overthegardengate.org. Another great website to visit for very useful garden hints and answers is http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/. This article, along with every article, will also be featured on www.joetomwhite.com 24 hours a day under county agents.
Date: 8/8/08 Advertisement
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