Summer is here and it’s time to enjoy your spring plantings. While there are still tasks to be done, the most important is to ensure your plants have an ample supply of water.
- Lawns need 1” to 1 ½” of moisture per week.
- Use a rain gauge or any container with vertical sides to measure how much water has been applied.
- Adding a layer of mulch around shrubs or in the garden helps to conserve moisture as well.
- Water plants and lawns early in the day or in the late afternoon.
- Avoid watering during the heat of the day, as much of it will evaporate. Make sure you are done watering in the early evening so the plants have time to dry before dark which helps prevent disease problems.
- You can fill in containers or your garden with 6” annuals for instant color.
- Container gardens should be fertilized weekly with a water-soluble fertilizer.
It’s also time to enjoy fresh homegrown fruits and vegetables. I picked my first cherry tomato from the hanging basket last weekend! It almost didn’t make it to the kitchen before it hit my mouth! If you don’t have vegetables or fruits growing in your yard, shop a local farmers market for fresh local produce. Our Minneapolis location is hosting one of Untiedt’s Farm Stands. Of course, keep the weeds pulled! Remember that a weed that is allowed to go to seed will make countless weeds next year. Keep fresh water in your birdbaths and occasionally scrub it clean. I so enjoy watching Mr. and Mrs. Robin fluffing their feathers and splashing the water over the edge! Don’t forget to keep the bird feeders clean and full of goodies too!
Just,
-Nola
