In May, with mild temperatures and “manageable” sunshine, we can spend longer periods of time outdoors planning, preparing, planting, and protecting our gardens before the torrid summer season arrives.
This is the best month to make any changes or additions to our landscape palate. The warm soil will encourage strong root growth and nutrient absorption, while the increased sunlight hours will stimulate leaf and flower growth.
The six-day watering schedule is now in effect. Re-set your irrigation clock to include both a pre-dawn and post sunset run time of 30 minutes.
This will ensure proper water absorption without the risk of residue water magnifying the sun’s rays and burning leaves. Make certain that all water emitters are functioning and directed towards the soil where the plant roots are, re-positioning and expanding if necessary.
By Memorial Day Weekend, stop applying fertilizer. You do not want to be adding additional nutrients that may stimulate tender new growth that will be damaged by summer’s heat and sun.
You can, however, continue to add compost, wood chips, or other organic matter to enrich and cool the soil and/or chelated iron powder if you find that plant leaves are losing their green color due to iron deficiency (Chlorosis). During the summer months, substitute a spray-on iron solution directly to affected leaves.
Tip: Palm trees, unlike other plantings, prefer plant food be added to soil only in warmer months when soil temperature is above 70F
You should apply systemic insecticide around the soil of non-edible plants to protect them during the hot months when your garden is prone to insect attacks. If, however, you are growing fruits or vegetables, use spray insecticide instead, stopping several weeks prior to harvest.
Suggestion: If you’re planning to add organic mulch to your soil, first apply a covering of diatomaceous underneath. This will limit infestation of “exoskeleton” visitors like roaches, spiders, beetles and scorpions.
Remember to “dead-head” flowers. This will stimulate new blooms. If you have date palm trees, remove the yellow fruits before they ripen and drop off in order to prevent rabbits and rats and birds from visiting and littering.
Have any questions? Contact me at: Theplantwhisperer28@gmail.com.
