To Do This Week

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Week of May 23rd, 2009

• Watch for pests like caterpillars, spider mites, beetles, and aphids. As they create new generations and multiply many times over, they can really wipe out a planting. So get out and do an early morning walk around with a cup of coffee and check for damage on your plants. When you notice damage start to happen, that's the time when it's easiest to control. So by getting in there early and controlling things early on with a very safe low toxicity spray you can shut things down when it's easier to control. Once you have severe damage and pests are everywhere it's much more difficult so early control is important.
• Be sure to water woody ornamentals that you planted last fall or this spring. In their first summer, they need a little extra attention until their roots are fully established. I like to build that berm around the plant and give them a good deep soaking. Just make sure you don't keep them too wet, though. In black clay soils, overwatering can create a bathtub that drowns the roots. So check soil moisture and when it's dry, water deeply, then let them dry out.
• Shear and fertilize the roses to promote new blooms later.
• Continue planting celosia, cosmos, portulacas and zinnias for summer color.

More May Tips