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Garden Clippings
Plant, fertilize and water in June
By RUTH DAVIES
Article published on Thursday, June 21, 2007 |
It’s summer – congratulations to all those gardeners who manage their yards in the heat and humidity. Early morning is the coolest time of day but is often humid.
Traditionally, afternoon was for thunderstorms. Was. In recent years, the Gulf may create the clouds that meet with the Atlantic clouds, but the rendezvous is too far east to do us much good.
At least we’re getting more rain than a month ago, so plant away – set in the desired trees and shrubs. Water every day for a week to help them get their roots settled; then twice a week for a month. It may take up to a year for a tree to get established, so monitor the moisture it gets on a weekly basis.
June is fertilizer month for everything in the garden. Distribute 4-6-8 or 4-8-8 around citrus trees. My fig tree is full of fruit and fertilizer and water are its vital needs now. My expectation of having lots of fruit is not high, as the birds have been sitting in the tree watching the ripening process.
The lawn would appreciate fertilizer too. But, because of the high temperatures, it’s best to use an organic fertilizer to prevent burning.
Azaleas not only get acid-type fertilizer now, but the final pruning is to be complete by July 1. Especially prune the long leafless shoots that are spring growth. From July to April, the buds are forming on new growth.
Check out the color of palm leaves. If they’re yellow, but the main vein is green, it’s probably deficient in magnesium. A quick cure is to sprinkle Epsom salts around the perimeter of the tree.
If an azalea, ixora or gardenia has the same symptoms and has small leaves, it’s probably an iron deficiency. Apply iron chelate or iron sulfate. Because of our “sweet” soil, this should be done on a quarterly basis.
A funny thing happened on my way home with a tomato plant a few months ago.
The plant label claimed it was a yellow pear tomato, but it now has formed large green tomatoes.
Yes, sometimes labels get misplaced. The small tomatoes can grow fairly well in partial shade in the summer. A few years ago, mine grew up intertwined in a lemon tree. This mysterious tomato is growing under a mango – a mango-mato.
Remember, gardeners, to drink a lot of water; keep cool and move with the shade.
Ruth Davies is a Pinellas County Master Gardener. She can be reached at sunflower1368@juno.com.
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Article published on Thursday, June 21, 2007
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