The Force of May Be With You

May 2013

Pickaway to Garden

The Force of May Be With You

By Paul Hang

The month of May seems more of a destination than a station on the way, like March and April. For gardeners, and I suppose the rest of you, May means the time has come. It's here, finally. Warm days, sun, greenery, birds, and five or six months of pleasant weather for outside activities have arrived. The buds and blossoms were begun as far back as early summer. The sprouting seeds were ripened last fall. They lay in wait for the right conditions. Perennial plants, trees and shrubs send out their leaves. They get their strength from the food stored in their roots last growing season. All this pent up energy is finally released by the somewhat stable weather and longer daylight of May. As soon as the trees leaf out the memory of their stark bare branches is gone. What did they look like? I can't remember.

May gives confidence that the riot of maturing growth of June will arrive, eventually. The suspense is over. The many hues of the greens of May will gradually change to the more uniform darker greens of late summer. The irresistible force causing all these changes has been returning for eons, kick started by the sun's journey north. When we are down on our knees working the soil we are in just the right position to wonder and be thankful for this elemental force which sustains us and gives us such joy.

Spring fever, lilac blooms and apple blossoms, wildflowers, time to plant, the drone of mowers, pull the weeds; all these activities are vying for our time. Fishing and golf also compete but not if you garden seriously. There just isn't enough time. In all the rush take the time to enjoy what's going on around you in nature. This is the time of plants and the animals that depend upon them. Never mind the schedules of mere humans. May has its own schedule.

A recent PBS documentary on plants showed evidence of how plants communicate with each other and with other organisms. When plants are attacked by a predator they release a chemical that lets other plants and animals know. The predators of the plants predators are then attracted and can help protect the plant from further attack. The smell of cut grass is caused by the chemical that grass gives off to signal that you are attacking them. So the next time you are enjoying the smell of freshly cut grass remember you are "hearing" the grass scream bloody murder. So far no predators of grass mowers have evolved, unless you count muscle soreness caused by lactic acid.

May16th at 10am Barb Andreas will lead "Lychopods, Mosses and Ferns, Oh My!" at Mary Virginia Crites Hanna Park. She is arguably the expert in the State of Ohio and will lead us on a discovery walk and talk. Meet at the Starkey Pavilion.

May 18 the Circleville Giant Pumpkin Growers will give away quality pumpkin plants to first time growers who live within a 21 mile radius of Roundtown. If you grow a pumpkin and enter it in the weigh in at the Pumpkin Show you will be eligible for a first time grower's cash prize from the club as well as the Show's prizes. Plants will be distributed at Rhoads Market at 2pm. A seminar on growing these giant gourds will also be offered then. RSVP to Dr. Bob Liggett at 740-474-3682 or Cecil Weston at 740-412-0813 before May 8th.

On May 4th, 9am to 1pm the Pickaway County Master Gardener Volunteers will hold our annual Plant Sale at the library parking lot on N. Court St. It is a good opportunity to purchase some varieties of plants not always available commercially. It is also a good time and will get you in the mood to start planting if you haven't already been so motivated. Also our Helpline can be reached by calling 474-7534. A local master gardener will get back to you.

Things to do in the garden:

If you haven't already this month you can direct seed corn, beans, potatoes, melons, cucumbers and squash. Those last three are usually planted in "hills" in groups of three or four plants. Place cheesecloth or row cover cloth over them until they are lifted up by the growing vines. With any luck you will have prevented the cucumber beetles from invading the plants.

You can set out tomato, pepper and eggplant plants. There is still a chance of frost but as we go through the month the chances become less and less. Be prepared to cover those tender plants if frost threatens. Don't be tempted to overfertilize tomatoes, extra nitrogen will delay ripening.

Harden off the houseplants you plan to put outside for the summer. A period of transitioning to the new environment will help assure their health and vigor.

You can divide and move perennials. As the soil warms (50 degrees) you can plant summer-flowering bulbs such as caladiums, cannas, dahlias, and gladioluses. Some start them earlier indoors to get a head start.

Stake plants that need it. If you stake your tomatoes put the stakes in before you plant to avoid damaging those new tender roots.

You can begin spraying roses for black spot following the directions on the product.

Cut the seed pods off your lilacs, but do not prune the stems. If your lilacs are getting overgrown and leggy, cut the stems at the ground. Do this to a third of the stems this year, a third next year and the final third the year after that. This way you will rejuvenate the bushes.

Thin apples, peaches and other tree fruit (not cherries) to a fruit every six inches. Remember "June drop." It is a time when fruit trees rid themselves of excess fruit which the tree cannot support. This is a natural process.

Mulch your beds after the soil has warmed. When you set out those tender plants protect against cutworms that can wreak havoc on new transplants. Use collars of aluminum foil, plastic, cardboard or other material to encircle the stem. The collars should extend into the soil an inch and above an inch or two. There are cultural practices and pesticides that can help control these pests (Google "cutworms extension"), however collars will protect your plants immediately.