Water Gardens – now is the best time to build or fix up your water garden for summer. There is a wide variety of plant material available in this month as tropical water plants are now ready to be put outdoors.
Houseplants – many houseplants such as orchids & christmas cactus benefit from being moved outdoors for summer. They prefer the cooler nights. Water and fertilize regularly with a soluble all-purpose fertilizer.
Roses – mulch with compost such as Sea Soil if you haven’t already. Deadhead spent flowers and keep an eye out for aphids. Use ladybugs or Safer’s Insecticidal Soap if they present a big problem. Black Spot can be an issue in wet weather. If found, remove any affected leaves from the bush as well as the surrounding ground. It usually improves once the days get drier again in summer but make plans to spray next December or January with a lime sulphur dormant oil mixture. Powdery Mildew is another fungul disease which can be problematic. Treat with Safer’s Defender and make sure watering is done in the morning, being careful to avoid wetting the foliage.
Weeding – regular hoeing is still the best method to control pesky weeds. In warmer weather the weeds will shrivel up and die when left on the soil surface.
Pests – slugs are a big problem this year as they love the moist weather. Apply or re-apply slug bait.
Water Needs – check new or existing plantings regularly for water needs. It is always best to water thoroughly once or twice a week than to water lightly every day as this will only dampen the soil surface, thus keeping the plant's roots at the soil surface. By watering deeply less often, the plant develops a deeper root system.
Annual Containers & Hanging Baskets – check water needs daily and use a slow release annual fertilizer such as Garden Pro Hanging Basket 14-14-14 which will work for approx. 3 months or use a water soluble fertilizer such as Miracle Gro 15-30-15 weekly.
Deadheading – annuals & many perennials benefit from deadheading as their flowers finish. This will promote repeat blooms.
Stake – tall annuals, vines & perennials with supports such as peony rings, obelisks, tomato cages or any other sort of structure, artistic or utilitarian, that does the job.
Mulch – most plants, especially perennials benefit from a mulching of compost if you haven’t already done so. This practice provides desired nutrients but also helps to prevent moisture loss during the hot weather.
Trim evergreen hedges and fertilize with Garden Pro Evergreen & Broadleaf Fertilizer 14-7-14
Vegetable seeds – continue to sow seeds of cilantro, carrots, lettuce, spinch, radish and others for successive harvest throughout summer. Now is also a good time to sow seeds of cauliflower, cabbage, broccoli and kale for fall harvest.