"Much Ado..."

May 2019

Pickaway to Garden

“Much Ado….”

By Paul Hang

 

I thought quoting Shakespeare, even if it is only two words, would lend a little class to a gardening column. Besides, I have much ado. I am way behind. Lots of rain has kept me out of the garden. Gardening can be maddening. Some chores need to be done at certain times, like planting peas or putting down pre-emergent crabgrass seedicide. Some chores need to be done in a certain order, like preparing the soil before planting. Fruit trees need to be sprayed when temperatures are right or buds are at a certain stage. If you don’t do these things when you are supposed to, all hell is going to break loose.

 

Nature seldom cooperates. If it’s too wet or cold on your days off you can’t, or don’t want to, cut the grass. There are other things to do, like go to work at your job, take care of family, run errands, personal grooming, clean the kitty litter and walk the dog. Even retired folks have some of these things to do as well, and more, you know, volunteer commitments and naps.

 

Maybe I am just too lazy, but I just can’t seem to get even half the things I need to do done in time. The shallots I started from seed are still in their germinating pot. The old window that was to be my cold frame still sits in the garage. I can’t begin to count the things that need to be done.

The wonderful thing about plants is they can take care of themselves with just a little help from us. They will continue to grow and flower. So if gardening is going to be fun we need to stop worrying and don’t sweat the small stuff. Much adieu and much ado about nothing.

 

On May 18th 9am to 1pm the OSU Extension Master Gardener Volunteers (MGVs), Pickaway County, will hold our annual Plant Sale at the library parking lot on N. Court St. It’s an opportunity to buy varieties of plants not always available. Our Helpline can be reached by calling the OSU Extension Office at 740-474-7534.

 

Things to do in the garden:

 

You can direct-seed corn, beans, potatoes, melons, cucumbers and squash. Place cheesecloth or row cover cloth over vines until they bloom. With any luck you will have prevented the cucumber beetles from invading the plants.

 

You can set out tomato, pepper and eggplant plants if the soil is warm(60 degrees). There is still a chance of frost but each week the chances become less and less. Be prepared to cover those tender plants if frost threatens. Don't be tempted to over fertilize tomatoes, extra nitrogen will delay ripening and produce more vine than fruit. Remember tomatoes can be planted deep with the top few branches of leaves above ground. Roots will form along the buried stem. If you stake your tomatoes put the stakes in before you plant.

 

If you plan to put houseplants 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. 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 a third of the stems this year at the ground. Do this to 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. 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 cut off 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 pesticides that can help control these pests (Google "cutworms extension”). I have also placed a toothpick in the ground next to the plant stem with success.

 

This is a busy time for pollinators. When you spot a bug identify it before reaching for the spray. Fully 97% of the bugs in our gardens are beneficial. Singular bugs are almost always beneficial predators. Crowds are often pests. Know your enemy!

 

Now is a good time to get rid of invasive and harmful plants. Poison hemlock is very poisonous and a biennial. Second year plants have hairless stems bright green to bluish green with obvious purple blotches. Mowing and tilling are partial controls. Post-emergent herbicides are effective this time of year. Don’t get the sap on your skin.

 

Finally, it’s not how fast you mow but how high. Mow at least 3 inches for a healthy lawn.