It’s almost June! You’ve probably planted all your flowers and veggies. Now what? There are still plenty of things to do.
- Don’t let weeds get ahead of you. Weeds have already begun to pop up—even in my pots! Getting rid of them now ensures that their roots are tiny and NOT beginning to compete with your plants.
- Think about your fertilizer. Specific nutrients are used up quickly, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Follow the directions on your fertilizer. While you don’t want to overfeed, be sure to apply it as often as instructed. Remember that more is never better. Too much fertilizer can burn the roots of the plants.
- Water correctly. Many of our summer vegetables are prone to fungal problems and do not like to have their foliage wet. With our extreme summer humidity, we don’t need to increase the danger of fungus by using sprinklers, which get water EVERYWHERE. Watering at the base of the plant is best. I like a soaker hose because I can turn it on, then sit in my rocking chair on the deck and drink my iced tea.
- Remember to keep your birdbath filled. Yeah, it sounds strange, but it encourages birds to hang around and eat any nasty little insects that show up. It can do even more than that, however. Do you ever have squirrels go after your green tomatoes? They take one bite and toss it. They’re not eating the tomato—they’re after the moisture content inside. Spray your green tomatoes with a spray made of hot peppers (squirrels hate the heat). That makes the tomato unpleasant for them. Give them an easily accessible birdbath.
- Turn over the occasional leaf every couple of days on your plants to check for any potential problems, such as insects or a group of eggs. It’s way easier to catch a problem early than it is to get on top of it once it’s spread.
- The chair on your deck or patio is there for a reason. Take a moment to sit in it and appreciate your hard work. Don’t get so bogged down that you forget how satisfying gardening can be. And if you want to grab a handful of cherry tomatoes or a sweet banana pepper to nibble on, so much the better.