Gardening Tips
We would like to start this month’s column with a big thank you to everyone who supported our St. Francis County Master Gardeners’ annual plant sale last weekend.
Profits from the sale will go to two great causes. First, it will provide a scholarship to a local high school graduate majoring in a science field. Secondly, it will buy fertilizer and mulch for the Master Gardeners' eight public projects in the county.
May is the big month to plant, fertilize, water, weed, prune, and watch for signs of pests and diseases. The soil is getting warm enough and hopefully dry enough for you to work without being covered in mud.
Now is the time to plant warm-weather vegetables. If you are a beginner, pick the veggies your family will eat, but only as much as you have time to manage. One mistake inexperienced gardeners make is planting too many vegetables and getting tired of working in the hot sun taking care of them.
Anytime in May is the right time to plant flowering plants that have been established indoors. The flower garden can wait until late May if you are planting seeds. It is recommended to plant summer bulbs such as caladiums, elephant ears, canna, and dahlias in late May or early June.
Hopefully, the plants you have kept inside over the winter have not yet been moved outside. Wait until the middle of May. If there is a very cool night, cover them. Check these treasures to see if they need to be re-potted. Turn the plant upside down and look at the root ball. It will be easy to tell if the roots are overcrowded, and if they are, re-pot them in the flowerpot that is the next size larger and add rich soil at the bottom. Don’t put these plants in the direct sun for a few days, or they will get sunburned and drop leaves.
Is the grass getting green in your yard, or is it mostly full of weeds? A beautiful lawn starts with healthy grass. Fertilize lightly and establish a regular mowing schedule. Never cut more than one-third of the grass leaf. Watch for fungus and insect damage. Yellow and brown spots are a true sign of trouble. Check with local nurseries for the right lawn weed killers and insecticides. Also, watch for areas that need more water and for those low spots with too much water.
For fertilizing your plants, use an all-purpose garden fertilizer (10-10-10). For roses and deciduous shrubs and trees, consider an old stand-by, Epson Salt. In your landscape beds, you can also fertilize with Ferto-Lome Start-N-Grow. Two important things to remember are to be careful not to spill the fertilizer on the plant and to water the fertilizer thoroughly as soon as it is applied.
As crepe myrtles start leafing out, apply Systemic Insect Control to the soil at the base of the tree to protect against Crepe Myrtle Bark Scale.
For questions concerning your flower garden, vegetable garden, and your lawn, call the University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service office at the St. Francis County Courthouse at 870-261-1730.
Have a beautiful May. Enjoy watching the trees and flowers bloom!
(EDITOR’S NOTE: Information for “Gardening Tips” is gleaned from Gardening guides for Planting Zones 7 and 8.)