May Chores Part 1

May is a sublime month for gardeners. Hopefully, the heat has not yet become oppressive and the temperature variations of the early spring have evened out, leaving us with a certain every day pleasantness. Following are a few things that you may want to consider doing during this fair month.

Plant summer-flowering plants such as gladiolus, canna lilies, caladiums and dahlias. Originating from corms, tubers or rhizomes, each of them requires a consistently warm soil in order to sprout and grow well.

Take cut flowers late in the day and immediately place in warm water. They tend to last longer this way. When the water cools to room temperature, the flowers are ready for use.

Pinch back annuals such as petunias and impatiens (in baskets and beds) if they have gotten leggy. This will encourage the formation of new branches, which will result in more flowers. Remove old, faded flowers (deadheads) often so that plants will contribute their energy to producing more flowers instead of seeds.

Plant French marigolds (the small-flowered type) to help control nematodes in the flower or vegetable garden. If planted close to your plants, the marigold roots will lure these troublesome microscopic worms away from them. Be aware, however, that marigolds do not, as some believe, have the ability to keep harmful insects away.

Canna lilies provide a nice border of color to the summer flower garden, but they need to be divided every three or four years to encourage flowering. When their roots are crowded, they cannot make vigorous growth, and flower size and quality will decrease. Set the divided root sections five to six inches deep and 15 inches apart.

Stake or cage your tomatoes now if you haven’t already done so. Try a stake that extends about five feet above the ground. Also, mulch your tomatoes. The benefits are notable-disease prevention, moisture conservation, cooling of the soil among others. Consider keeping all side shoots (suckers) pinched out until the main stem reaches the top of the stake. Then pinch the tip of the main stem and let the suckers grow to help shade the ripening fruit.

Prune hedges so that they will fill out at the bottom. Do this by tapering them inward from bottom to top like the shape of a pyramid. This will allow light to reach the lower branches, encouraging foliage to grow all the way to the ground.

Watch for lacebugs on your azaleas, pyracanthas and sycamores. These are light brown piercing and sucking insects with gauzelike wings that feed on the undersides of leaves, causing white speckles on the top surfaces.

I trust that these tips will help you in your gardening endeavors this month.

Tim Lewis is a Georgia Green Industry Association certified plant professional, gardening writer, former Perry High School horticulture instructor and former horticulturalist at Henderson Village and Houston Springs. He and his wife, Susan, own and operate Lewis Farms Nursery located on Highway 26, two miles east of Elko, where he was born and raised. He can be reached at (478) 954-1507 or timlewis1@windstream.net.

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