This will be my final column of “Horticultural Tips” until September.  As Spring fades to summer, the mounting tasks of lawn, garden and orchard care take up much of my time.  I would like to leave my band of faithful readers with a few simple, but often forgotten, practical tips and general reminders.  Have a great summer, grow lots of tomatoes and zucchini and I’ll see you in September.

Practical Garden Tips
(courtesy of UNH Cooperative Extension Service)
Author: Emme Erler
Education Center Coordinator

1.  Prune dead branches from trees and shrubs as they begin to produce new growth.


2. Protect yourself from ticks.  Tuck your pant cuffs into your socks and wear light colored clothing with snug collars, long sleeves and fitted  cuffs.  Treating your clothing with permethrin provides additional protection.


3. Plant summer flowering bulbs such as Cannas, Dalias and Gladiolus.  Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil.  Make sure roots face down and buds face upward.


4. Watch for Eastern Tent Caterpillar nests in deciduous trees.  Destroy nest after pruning it off the tree branch.  Burning is best if allowed in your area.


5. Set your lawnmower blade height to at least 3 inches.  Lawns maintained at this height are more resistant to drought and disease.


6. Harvest the asparagus and rhubarb up until the end of June.  After that time the plants need to rest and put more energy into their roots.


7. Prune and stake the tomato plants to improve yield, improve fruit quality and reduce common fungal disease.


8. Clean, sharpen and oil your garden tools.


9. Buy packs of garden gloves at The Christmas Tree Shoppe’s or Dollar Tree.  If you are anything like me I tend to loose the right glove.  Probably because I take it off to swat at the BLACK FLIES, and end up running inside the house for shelter and forget to go look for it again.  Anyway, have a wonderful growing season.

Cheers,
Deb (June- August 2019 Horticultural Newsletter)