To Do This Week

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Week of June 4th, 2011

• Plant heat-loving okra.
• Remember to give a long slow drink to your new shrubs and trees. This means going around the plant with a slow drip to make sure you have even moisture to reach the roots.
• Mulch your soil (including your vegetable beds) to preserve moisture and reduce the change of soil-borne disease on your plants.
• Dead head summer annuals and fertilize. This includes native Salvia coccineas. Cutting back spent flowers to the next leaf stalk encourages growth and more flowers.
• Put out a dish of water to attract toads, one of your best insect-eating friends.
• Provide water and food for the birds.
• Raise that lawn mower! With the heat and winds, mowing too low stresses grass roots. Leave it high or mow 1/3 off the top at a time.
• Getting close to last call to prune spring-blooming shrubs like spiraea.
• Top off spring-blooming perennials like salvias to encourage new growth for return blooms this summer or fall. Don't cut back severely.
• If mosquitoes are bothering you, be sure to check any standing water in pots behind the shed, plant saucers, or even nooks on your patio furniture.

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