Unusual weather

this has been an unusual Spring this year. No spring during spring, Spring during June and now summer. Of course the last normal spring was in 1967. I rfemember it well. February weather during February, March weather during March ande April weather druing April.

What does the change into summer mean to me as a gardener?

Well, first watering. Be sure that you water deeply enough. Get away from the 5 minutes each day irrigation schedule. Stasndard sprinkler heads usually need 20 to 30 minutes to get enough water to get the watger down to the roots. If you have run off problems you need to schedule repeated irrigations that add up to the 20 or 30 minutes. these should be scheldued one after the other leaving just enough time for the water to soak in.

If you have drip systems or rotory type heads you need an hour or more. True drip systems that are putting out 1-2 gallons per hour often neede to run multiple hours. Modified drip systems usually run about an hour.

I have talked about mulching but the hot weather makes it specially important. Mulching keeps the root system cool and continuing to function. We recomend about 2" of humus or bark covering.

If you have a lawn with dry spots you need to determine if there is a irrigation design problem or a compaction problem. A design problem obviously needs to be fixed but be carefull about adding new heads. sometimes adding heads will reduct the throw of the existying heads and create more problems.

Compaction problems need aeration to allow the water to penetrate!

On young gardens don't be afraid to do some tipping to keep plants bushy.

we also have lots of time to enjoy summer annuals for the summer. remember in some parts of the country this is EARLY in the planting season. We carry a good selection of annuals and summer blooming perennials through out the season.