 | (Spring / Summer) |  |
* March is the month when all plants are beginning their active growth period. It is time feed the whole garden with a balanced, slow-acting fertilizer. A balanced fertilizer has a roughly equal ratio of the three macro nutrients - nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium (or N, P, and K). Fertilized plants put down more roots, send out more leaves and flowers, and flower and fruit for a longer time. They are stonger overall and better able to withstand the stress of summer heat. |
* For gradual, gentle feeding throughout the growing season, use organic fertilizers like bone meal, cottonseed meal, fish emulsion, and seaweed extract. Apply once every two weeks in spring and summer. These won't burn the plants the way harsh chemical fertilizers can, and they won't infiltrate the water table with chemicals and petroleum derivatives. |
* If the soil is water-logged from winter rains, wait until it dries out a bit before working in the garden. Trying to work the soil when it’s wet, or even walking on it, can lead to soil compaction, which reduces the air spaces and squeezes out oxygen needed by the roots. This is especially true if you have the heavy clay soil that is typical in our region. |
* When roses start to put out buds early in the season, gently snap off any buds that are facing the interior of the plant. This helps to increase air circulation and lessens the potential for disease. |
* As soon as the soil starts warming up in the spring, weeds start actively growing. Pulling them up now, while they're still small and the soil is moist, is easier than waiting until they have big root systems. |
* If you weed your garden regularly, a little bit every week, rather than trying to do it all at once, the job won't become overwhelming. Pull weeds before they have developed their seedheads, and you will lessen your weed problems later on. |
* When pulling weeds, make sure to get the entire root out. Leaving even a small part of the root in the ground will just result in that weed returning bigger and stronger than ever. |
* Snails and slugs become active in the spring. Control them by handpicking if you're not squeamish, or set traps for them - put an inch of beer in an empty tuna fish can (the snails crawl in to drink the beer and drown). You can also purchase commercial snail bait. Sluggo brand is safe for children and household pets. |
* Install copper tape strips along the edges of your raised vegetable beds. The copper gives the snails a mild electrical shock that deters them from going further. |
* Late spring is the best time of year to plant citrus and tender subtropicals like hibiscus and bougainvillea. |
* It’s a good time to de-thatch and fertilize lawns (and to plant or reseed warm season lawns). |
* Maintain a layer of mulch on the soil surface throughout the summer to reduce the growth of weeds and retain soil moisture. Even a 2 inch layer of mulch can reduce water evaporation by 50% or more. Water thoroughly before applying mulch, and keep the organic matter a few inches away from trunks and stems of plants. |
* In July and August, the most important thing you can do is to make sure your garden is getting sufficient water. Watering deeply and less often, is better than more frequent, light watering. Shallow watering just encourages roots to grow near the soil surface where they are more susceptible to drying out. Deep watering trains the roots to grow deep down, into the soil where moisture is more plentiful. |
* The best time to water is in the early morning, to give the moisture a chance to soak into the soil before being evaporated. Watering late in the day during hot weather encourages the growth of mildew. |