Publication Date: Friday, June 03, 2005
Garden tips for June
Garden tips for June
(June 03, 2005) When it comes to watering, just 'go with the flow'
by Jack McKinnon
This has been quite a spring so far with a fantastic wildflower show caused by the unusual amounts of rainfall. It has also helped and hindered our gardening. It helped because we didn't have to water as early or as much to get our gardens going and it hindered because water is a key component for fungus growth.
Lawns, roses, seedlings and crops are all effected. Our best recourse is to, as the old saying goes, "go with the flow." Here are this month's tips:
1. Keep a good mulch layer in your garden to control weeds, retain moisture and help keep the soil from compacting. As the mulch breaks down it can be cultivated in as you would compost and then more can be added.
2. Look for Watsonia to be on sale this month. It will be finishing its bloom and the price will go down. Watsonia looks like a tall grass, and has wonderful spikes of flowers in white and pink. It is actually a corm but you can buy plants in one-gallon pots, plant them now and they will bloom next spring.
3. I neglected to mention last month one of my favorite resources for garden books, magazines and literature including text books and specialty books on organic gardening -- Common Ground in Palo Alto. I have been going to Common Ground for seeds, supplies and knowledge for more than 20 years. Patricia, the manager, is a wealth of knowledge. They can be reached at (650) 493-6072 for directions.
4. Planting bulbs is the essence of delayed gratification. As soon as you see any bulbs in the nurseries, buy some and be sure to write what they are on the bag. When you get home, look them up in your garden book and plant according to the instructions.
5. Watch for friendly and not-so-friendly visitors to your garden. As the old minister said "comfort the afflicted" (plants) "and afflict the comfortable" (harmful insects). Give slugs, snails and caterpillars a flying lesson. Flick off aphids and the birds and ladybugs will take care of the rest.
6. Fertilize regularly using organic fertilizer if possible. They help build the soil and combined with good compost mixed into the soil and regular watering your plants will thrive. Commercial fertilizer is effective, too, especially on lawns and ornamentals.
7. As your vegetable garden starts to produce, harvest regularly. This causes two things. It stimulates the plants to keep producing (especially leaf crops like greens and herbs) and uses the produce while at its peak.
8. Clean up your plants on a regular basis and unless you are using an ornamental mulch, drop the trimmings right where you cut them. This is the best mulch for your plants. It helps the soil retain moisture, stay cool and slows down pesky invaders.
9. Make sure your watering system is in order. If drip systems are clogging up too much (50 percent) then it is time to replace them.
10. This is barbecue season. It is a proven fact that the more time you spend in your garden the better it will look. Be sure to have plenty of chairs, lounges, tables and umbrellas outside. If you keep your tools in a neat and handy place you will be surprised how easy it is to keep up on those weeds.
Good gardening.
Jack McKinnon worked in the Sunset Magazine gardens for 12 years and has been a private garden coach for seven years. He can be reached at (650) 879-3261, or by e-mail at jcmckinnon@earthlink.net.
E-mail a friend a link to this story. | 
