Gardening Tips by John Begeman: May Gardening Calendar

	Arid-Southwestern Gardening Information *Gardening Tips by John Begeman*


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Index : May Gardening Calendar

1. Plant heat-loving flowers

2. Adjust your irrigation

3. Hose-off over-heated plants

4. Mulch Tomatoes

5. Fertilize Citrus

6. Spray Italian Cypress, Juniper and other Evergreens

7. Fertilize palms

8. Plant and transplant cacti, agaves, palms

1. Plant heat-loving flowers - Top

Plant heat-loving flowers to replace the winter annuals that are now succumbing to the heat. The best heat-loving summer annuals include; moss rose, zinnia, Madagascar periwinkle, verbena, celosia and salvia. Buy larger plants in 4 inch to one gallon pots for best results. Water daily when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. - Updated: May, 2002

2. Adjust your irrigation - Top

Adjust your irrigation to increase the frequency of watering. May is one of the hottest and driest months of the year. Plants need more frequent irrigation to keep them healthy. Vegetable and flower gardens may require daily watering. Lawns should be irrigated every three days. Non-desert trees and shrubs will need a good soaking every 7 to 10 days. Desert- adapted trees and shrubs may require a soaking irrigation this month to prevent drought stress. Water slowly to prevent run-off! - Updated: May, 2002

3. Hose-off over-heated plants - Top

Hose-off over-heated plants, especially newly planted ones that tend to wilt in the mid-day sun. Spraying of the leaves with cool water will lower the temperature of the plant, preventing wilt or helping plants to recover after wilt has begun. The best time to shower plant leaves is mid-day, between 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. Let the hose run until cool water comes out before spraying your plants. - Updated: May, 2002

4. Mulch Tomatoes - Top

Mulch tomatoes and other vegetables with a 3 inch layer of organic matter to conserve moisture. Straw, compost or ground wood mulch are all excellent organic mulch materials. Mulching , along with regular watering helps prevent blossom-end-rot on tomatoes, peppers and squash by maintaining even soil moisture. - Updated: May, 2002

5. Fertilize Citrus - Top

Fertilize citrus using a high nitrogen fertilizer such, as ammonium sulfate (21-0-0), at the rate of 2 pounds per mature citrus tree. If the tree is 5 years or younger, apply one pound of ammonium sulfate per tree. Evenly spread the fertilizer under the tree, starting one foot from the trunk and continuing out several feet past the end of the branches. Water the fertilizer into the soil immediately after applying. If young leaves remain yellow after fertilization, this is likely caused by an iron deficiency. Apply chelated iron to the soil, following label directions. - Updated: May, 2002

6. Spray Italian Cypress, Juniper and other Evergreens - Top

Spray Italian Cypress, Juniper and other evergreens, with a strong jet of water from a garden hose attachment to remove spider mites. These tiny insect-like pests love hot, dry weather. They attack all types of needled evergreens, roses, and pyracantha. Yellowing needles or leaves and fine webbing are the first signs of spider mite damage. Spray effected plants with a strong jet of water from a garden hose nozzle on a weekly basis in May and June. - Updated: May, 2002

7. Fertilize palms - Top

Fertilize palms using a special "palm fertilizer" available at garden centers. Mature palms should receive 5 to 8 lbs. of fertilizer. For palms under 8 feet tall, 2 to 5 lbs. should be adequate. Newly planted palms can receive even less (one-half to 2 lbs.) depending on the size. Fertilizer should be broadcast or banded under the canopy of the palm, but should not be placed up against the trunk. Make a second application of fertilizer in July. - Updated: May, 2002

8. Plant and transplant cacti, agaves, palms - Top

Plant and transplant cacti, agaves, palms and other heat loving plants. Warm weather provides optimum growing conditions, including the generating of new roots. Plant so that the top set of roots are located at, or just below, the soil surface. - Updated: May, 2002

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: 1. Plant heat-loving flowers; 2. Adjust your irrigation; 3. Hose-off over-heated plants; 4. Mulch Tomatoes; 5. Fertilize Citrus; 6. Spray Italian Cypress, Juniper and other Evergreens; 7. Fertilize palms; 8. Plant and transplant cacti, agaves, palms

1. Plant heat-loving flowers - Top: Plant heat-loving flowers to replace the winter annuals that are now succumbing to the heat. The best heat-loving summer annuals include; moss rose, zinnia, Madagascar periwinkle, verbena, celosia and salvia. Buy larger plants in 4 inch to one gallon pots for best results. Water daily when temperatures exceed 90 degrees. - Updated: May, 2002

2. Adjust your irrigation - Top: Adjust your irrigation to increase the frequency of watering. May is one of the hottest and driest months of the year. Plants need more frequent irrigation to keep them healthy. Vegetable and flower gardens may require daily watering. Lawns should be irrigated every three days. Non-desert trees and shrubs will need a good soaking every 7 to 10 days. Desert- adapted trees and shrubs may require a soaking irrigation this month to prevent drought stress. Water slowly to prevent run-off! - Updated: May, 2002

3. Hose-off over-heated plants - Top: Hose-off over-heated plants, especially newly planted ones that tend to wilt in the mid-day sun. Spraying of the leaves with cool water will lower the temperature of the plant, preventing wilt or helping plants to recover after wilt has begun. The best time to shower plant leaves is mid-day, between 12:00 noon and 2:00 p.m. Let the hose run until cool water comes out before spraying your plants. - Updated: May, 2002

4. Mulch Tomatoes - Top: Mulch tomatoes and other vegetables with a 3 inch layer of organic matter to conserve moisture. Straw, compost or ground wood mulch are all excellent organic mulch materials. Mulching , along with regular watering helps prevent blossom-end-rot on tomatoes, peppers and squash by maintaining even soil moisture. - Updated: May, 2002

5. Fertilize Citrus - Top: Fertilize citrus using a high nitrogen fertilizer such, as ammonium sulfate (21-0-0), at the rate of 2 pounds per mature citrus tree. If the tree is 5 years or younger, apply one pound of ammonium sulfate per tree. Evenly spread the fertilizer under the tree, starting one foot from the trunk and continuing out several feet past the end of the branches. Water the fertilizer into the soil immediately after applying. If young leaves remain yellow after fertilization, this is likely caused by an iron deficiency. Apply chelated iron to the soil, following label directions. - Updated: May, 2002

6. Spray Italian Cypress, Juniper and other Evergreens - Top: Spray Italian Cypress, Juniper and other evergreens, with a strong jet of water from a garden hose attachment to remove spider mites. These tiny insect-like pests love hot, dry weather. They attack all types of needled evergreens, roses, and pyracantha. Yellowing needles or leaves and fine webbing are the first signs of spider mite damage. Spray effected plants with a strong jet of water from a garden hose nozzle on a weekly basis in May and June. - Updated: May, 2002

7. Fertilize palms - Top: Fertilize palms using a special "palm fertilizer" available at garden centers. Mature palms should receive 5 to 8 lbs. of fertilizer. For palms under 8 feet tall, 2 to 5 lbs. should be adequate. Newly planted palms can receive even less (one-half to 2 lbs.) depending on the size. Fertilizer should be broadcast or banded under the canopy of the palm, but should not be placed up against the trunk. Make a second application of fertilizer in July. - Updated: May, 2002

8. Plant and transplant cacti, agaves, palms - Top: Plant and transplant cacti, agaves, palms and other heat loving plants. Warm weather provides optimum growing conditions, including the generating of new roots. Plant so that the top set of roots are located at, or just below, the soil surface. - Updated: May, 2002

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