Honey-Do-List
Here's a quick list of some things that need to be done:
As temps pick up, your roses will be under increasing assault by all the bugs and insects in the area. The easiest control is to wash them off with a hose or soapy water. Regular releases of lady bugs and praying mantis will also help keep nasties in check.
Check your apples, peaches, plums, and nectarines. Now is the time to thin the fruit out. A rule of thumb is approximate 6" of limb between each fruit. Removing the excess fruit prevents the trees energies from being diluted. This will give you larger, better tasting fruit. (More vitamins too!)
Prune all your spring-flowering shrubs and trees. Lilac, forsynthia, camellias, azaleas, loquats, quince, and others. These plants set their buds in the summertime (June/July), so you need to make sure to prune them well before then. Pune them anytime after May, and your cutting off next-year's flowers. When you're done pruning, fertilize with a 0-10-10 fertilizer. The phosphorous and potassium will help to develop new flowerbuds, putting on an even better show next year!
Raise your lawn mower. Summer lawns should be kept no shorter than 2 1/2 inches. The taller blades will help combat heat stress by shading the roots, will keep the lawn healthy, and prevent weeds from sprouting.
Mulch, Mulch Mulch! Apply a thick layer of mulch (2-3") around your shrub beds to reduce summer stress and bud drop. We recommend a light compost, bark, or forest humus.
If you've got your own tip for this week, post it in the comments!
