GARDEN CALENDAR
MAY 2018 • Vo l . 3 , I s s u e 5 | 9
Eventually, they would only send up greens. This is a great time to
divide them, as we can see exactly where they are.
Dig the whole clump, and gently tease them apart, saving the
biggest blooms to replant. The smaller bulbs can be planted, too, if
there’s room somewhere.
Add compost and Bulbtone to the planting holes to make them
thrive. After a few seasons, the bulbs should be blooming strong.
That’s what happened to the older cultivar I split a few years ago.
Mulch is an asset
Get a good layer of mulch
down to suppress weeds and
keep the soil evenly moist.
In my vegetable garden, I use
straw in the ornamental garden
bark mulch. Use whatever you
think looks best.
An early-morning drink
When things dry out, plants
should be watered in the morn-ing
at the bottom of the plant,
and really soak them in. Try to
keep the foliage dry, especially
in plants that are susceptible to
fungal issues.
Tomatoes, peppers go down soon
Mom said Memorial Day is when tomatoes and peppers go in the
ground, and that’s the way I like to plant. I like to have fun and put
some plants in early with protection. Getting the soil warm by laying
black landscape fabric on the bed is a good trick, too.
More and more tomatoes
I’m a big proponent of succession planting tomatoes after my main
planting at the end of the month.
Talk gardening on Facebook
Garden symposium on tap
As the Everybody Gardens Seed of the Month Club
continues to grow, we’re adding a new exclusive group to
Facebook. It’s a place where all of us can talk gardening and
compare notes.
Just go to facebook.com/EverybodyGardens, scroll down
until you see the area for groups and the Everybody Gardens
Seed of the Month Club. There’s a button there to join. Once
you click it, an administrator will get you set up and approved.
Then you’ll be able to post.
Right now, there’s a poll I’ve posted, which asks, “When is
your first planting of the season?” I’d love to know.
I hope you’ll sign up so we can continue the gardening
conversation.
The first Everybody Gardens Seed of the Month Club
Garden Symposium will be held from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. on
Wednesday, June 6, at Soergel Orchards.
Doug will present “Keeping the Garden Thriving all Sum-mer”
and “Growing in Containers.”
There will be lots of prizes, and we’re going to have fun.
Hope to see you there!
Soergel Orchards is located at 2573 Brandt School Road in
Wexford. Call Doug at 412-965-3278 for more information.
I’ve found that the plants enjoy the warmer soil and air tempera-tures
into June.
The last planting of tomatoes includes quick-maturing varieties,
such as “Sungold,” “Red Racer,” “Early Girl” and others on July 4.
I was always taught to get tomatoes in the ground by the end of
May to ensure a crop of fruit, but I’ve found these late plantings fight
off fungal disease better and produce plenty of tomatoes before the
end of the season.
Plant lettuce often
Keep planting lettuce every few weeks to ensure a continual harvest
well into summer.
Multiple plantings work
Most crops benefit from a couple of plantings. When everything is
planted the same day, we’re putting all our eggs in one basket. You’re
hoping the weather, diseases and pests won’t be a problem.
Cucumbers from seed should go in the ground May 15, May 30
and June 15. It’s a way to combat cucumber beetles, think about the
same thing for other plants.
Plan your container contents
Plant some containers using the thriller, filler, spiller approach. The
thriller is one big, spectacular plant in the center. The filler is a little
shorter. The spiller trails over the edge of the pot. You’re only limited
by your imagination.
Enjoy the time
Sit in the garden and enjoy the end of the day. Listen to the birds,
watch the bees and take time to decompress. It’s one of the reasons
we garden.
A good layer of mulch will
stop weeds and keep
the soil evenly moist.