garden checklist: JUNE 2005

Hostas

These are some of the best perennials for shady spots in your yard. Bright leaves and spires of beautiful flowers make hostas tempting for any homeowner. Good choices include 'August Moon' (chartreuse leaves with white flowers), 'Royal Standard' (glossy green leaves with fragrant white flowers), 'Frances Williams' (blue-green leaves edged in yellow with lavender flowers), 'Sum and Substance' (large, shiny yellow leaves), and 'Elegans' (large, rippled blue-green leaves with white flowers). Hostas work well in both flowerbeds and containers. They prefer soil that has some organic matter, such as composted manure, but can adapt well to a range of conditions, as long as the soil is well drained. Good companions include ferns such as Southern shield or autumn; perennials such as common bleeding heart (Dicentra spectabilis) and astilbe; or annuals such as impatiens. Hostas' beautiful leaves are great in bouquets. For a simple arrangement using them, see "Gardenias" on page 58.

* Lawn care-Fertilize warm-season grasses, such as Bermuda, St. Augustine, and Zoysia, with a 27-4-6 granular fertilizer, because this is the optimum growing time. For centipede, which is sensitive to too much nitrogen, use a formulation such as 18-0-18. Apply at rates recommended on the label.

* Vegetables-To encourage production, pick tomatoes, squash, okra, beans, and cucumbers regularly. Harvest every other day in early morning or late afternoon.

* Snails and slugs-Tired of these creatures using your flowerbeds or vegetable garden as a buffet? Try Sluggo. This product is new and safe to use around pets. Look for it at nurseries and garden centers, or order it online at www.biconet.com.

* Fertilize-To ensure a continuous supply of flowers, fertilize annuals regularly. Liquid products work well, but if you don't have much time, try using a granular, timed-release one such as Osmocote 14-14-14 or Scotts All Purpose Flower & Vegetable food 10-10-10.

* Garden journal-The summer solstice on June 21, the longest day of the year, marks the beginning of summer. If you didn't start a garden journal this spring, there's still time. Keeping a small notebook of your observations-when seeds were planted, bloom times, rainfall amounts, flowers that worked well, etc.-throughout the year is a great way to learn about gardening from your own experiences.

Copyright Southern Progress Corporation Jun 2005
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