Spring Garden into Summer
Photo:
Photo credit: Judith Cox
As spring advances and summer sets in, Judith shares valued observations on ticks, virburnums and transplanting herbs and vegetables.
Greetings fellow gardeners,
It is very warm in the garden these days and not a drop of rain is in sight. Your sweet little transplants are not very happy right now so be aware. With this heat they will need extra water, and some may even need a bit of extra shade. I have been making sure that I am wearing my hat and applying my sunscreen and I hope that you are as well.
Ticks from the Garden in the Wrong Places
Because of the heat I am less covered up and my loose shorts proved too tempting for yet another tick. I got it out with help and got my antibiotics. For now, I am relying on the kindness of family to let me know if the rash is growing as the tick bit me in a spot that I am unable to see. I seem to be very tasty, so I will cover up more in future.
Watch for Rose Pests
My roses are budding and happy, but I am watching carefully for worms. The conditions are perfect for rose pests and if I catch them early, I can get ahead of them. My Polaris rose next to the chicken compound has a bud on each branch! I am very excited to see the display. Here are some previous comments on spring care for roses.
Viburnum has Great Foliage
My Viburnum is blooming. Viburnum edule is a native and a glorious addition to my garden. The foliage is healthy, and the flowers are beautiful. It gets lovely red berries that I leave for the birds. Watch out for aphids and thrips. I have been able to control them with blasts from the hose. There are many viburnum cultivars. I have a viburnum Monrovia that I bought to use as a screen. It will grow to a good height and width with lovely blooms. While the flowers can be short-lived, it is the foliage that most people enjoy, and you get colour in the fall. It will take full sun and up to partial shade, a very versatile shrub. The next time you are at the nursery, check out the different viburnums available.
Transplanting Herbs and Vegetables and Hardening off Tomatoes
I have started planting up some of my herb and vegetable pots and moving some plants out from under the lights. I am hardening off the tomatoes on my little shelf with a plastic cover. Of course, I am hoping the cucumbers I planted will make an appearance and the same with the pumpkins. I water everything carefully. I also clipped a couple of ends off my rose and potted them up in the gazebo. The too-many cats quickly removed them, so I shall try again but leave them outside. Lesson learned.
I am enjoying working again even if it is just part-time. My new knee is wonderful and the other is not so bad, but hopefully I shall be fully cyborg soon. I am only working in one garden these days, but I love it and today I am going shopping for plants! Of course, I may need to pick up a couple of plants for me as well. Remember that soon the perennials will be on sale. Enjoy your week. Judith. (Email: sghorticultural@gmail.com) Veggie Bites are available at https://sghorticultural.wixsite.com/website or https://gardeningcalendar.ca/category/veggie-bites/
Keywords
About the Author
Send to Family and Friends
Featured Authors
Visit a Botanical Garden For Unique Experiences.
Comments
Logging in to comment gives you more features, but it is not required.
More on Gardening Calendar
How to Grow the Delicate Harebell
Admire the delicate and graceful harebell wildflower with its deep bluish-purple flowers, native to North America and Europe, that are eaten raw, used to make dye, and believed to give witches the power of transformation. A perfect addition to the rock garden that grows through summer and fall, and pollinated by hummingbirds, butterflies and bees.
Tips On Avoiding Ticks And Lyme Disease
May is Lyme Disease Awareness month. With more time outdoors in spring and summer, re-visit methods of protection from ticks.
Plants which are Toxic and Poisonous to Humans
Protect your family and pets from dangerous plants. Learn the names of poisonous plants and take necessary safety steps to prevent accidental poisoning.
False Sunflower is a Hardy, Easy Bloomer
False sunflower provides a long summer bloom in a native plant or wild garden or as part of a naturalized planting or prairie area.
All Seasons Gardening Tips
All season gardening provides many benefits. The right type of gardening in your routine, you can save money on your grocery bill.
Plastic Water Bottle Greenhouse for Winter Lettuce
It’s a perfect time to experiment. The plastic water bottle should act like a tiny greenhouse and my lettuce should grow even when it snows.
Flat-Topped Aster
The flat-topped aster attracts a range of pollinators, many bees, wasps, beetles, flies, and butterflies. We present a quick growing guide.
White Spruce
White spruce provides nesting sites, shelter, as well as food for many kinds of wildlife. If you love seeing wildlife, its a good choice.
How To Grow Mushrooms From Scratch
Learn how to grow mushrooms for personal consumption. Discover the many benefits of consuming mushrooms, from protein, fiber, antioxidants and selenium to low-calorie and vegan recipes. Get the basics of inoculating and cultivating mushrooms, as well as collecting and preparing the right substrate to grow them.
Spinosad Insect Spray For Organic Gardeners
Spinosad organic pesticide is effective against many undesirable insects while having little impact on beneficial insects.
Foamflower Shows Well in Groups
Welcome wildlife to your garden with Foamflower! A great addition, this plant has green lobed leaves that turn deep purple in falls and produces masses of lightly-scented white star-shaped flowers. Deer resistant, easy maintenance and care – perfect for summer gardens!
7 Calming Teas and Herbs For Anxiety
Chamomile tea and green tea are among the 7 teas and herbs that reduce anxiety and improve sleep which we discuss here.