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Gardening Tips for May/ Early June

By Joe Daniels

Ever-lengthening days give us more time to spend in the garden and we need it because there is plenty to be done. Although the days are still chilly,with overnight frost an ever-present danger, there is more sunshine to cheer things up, and a distinctly milder feel to the air, so go ahead and dive in to the best gardening season of the year.

• Do lots and lots of planting this month.
• WEEDS...OH !! WEEDING....They probably grow more rapidly in mid-spring then any other season. Keep up with them before they smother your newly planted and sprouting perennials.
• PESTS, they're on the increase, attracted by the young tender plant growth (watch for slugs, snails, and clusters of aphids on the new shoot tips).
• Deadhead spring bulbs before they go to seed .... BUT DON'T cut back the foliage for at least 6 weeks,or until the foliage has turned yellow or brown. If you have time to tie up the bulb foliage (a definite no-no), then you have too much time or your hands and you need to volunteer for another project.
• After the magic date of May 15th (our last projected frost date), it's time to plant tender annuals and vegetables.
• Check for rose disease and treat as necessary.
• Plant trees, shrubs, and perennials and keep them well watered.
• Tackle lawn weeds with a spot weedkiller.
• Mulch, mulch, and mulch.