Prepared by Terry Lewis
There is much beauty in the late spring gardens of the central San Joaquin Valley.
Tasks
- Sometimes gardeners need to accept a small amount of pest damage to plants.
- Instead of trying to kill insects, learn which ones are beneficial and protect them by avoiding the use of synthetic insecticides.
- Water and mow lawn. Set mower blades higher to shade out weeds and keep roots cool.
Pruning
- Pinch the tips out of chrysanthemums and rapidly growing annuals to encourage denser growth and more blooms.
- Prune azaleas, lilac, camellias, deciduous magnolia, dogwood, Indian hawthorn, spirea, forsythia and flowering quince as they finish blooming.
Fertilizing
- Fertilize fall planted shrubs and ground cover, remembering that a little used more often is better than a lot at one time.
- Do not over-fertilize. Excessive fertilization leads to contamination of waterways and excessive plant growth that requires more water.
Planting
- Spring planting ends this month. Get things into the ground before hot weather sets in.
- Plant annuals and perennials for spots of seasonal color.
- Perennials: Artemisia, yarrow (Achillea), dianthus, plant from seed.
- Bulbs, corms, tubers: gladiolus.
- Fruits and vegetables: beans, snap beans, potatoes, corn.
- Trees, shrubs, vines: Hibiscus (Rose of Sharon), Photinia, Toyon (Heteromeles).
- Annuals: floss flower (Ageratum), strawflower (Helichrysum), zinnia.
Enjoy now
- Annuals and perennials: yarrow (Achillea), alstroemeria, snapdragon (Antirrhinum), dianthus, fringe flower (Loropetalum).
- Bulbs, corms, tubers: brodiaea, amaryllis (Hippeastrum).
- Trees, shrubs, vines: violet trumpet vine (Clytostoma), Indian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis).
- Fruits and vegetables: artichokes, beans, peas, strawberries.
Things to ponder
- Do a special container planting of red, white and blue flowers now to celebrate Independence Day on July 4.
- Thin vegetable seedlings started outside last month. Try cutting to thin rather than pulling, so you do not disturb the soil.