Home Gardening

May Gardens and Landscapes
Mississippi Gardens Newspaper and Web Column - May 24, 2004

Cosmos, marigolds and zinnias are some of the easiest annuals to grow and require very little care. They can be sown directly into warm, weed free garden soil. In just six weeks or so blooms should arrive. All three make excellent cut flowers for home grown bouquets. Coleus and Celosia also make exceptional bouquet filler and come in a wide variety of sizes and colors. Sun coleus, such as Mississippi Summer Sun, does not require shade and will perform well in full sun. Check local garden centers for other warm season favorites including ageratum, pentas, periwinkle, portulaca and salvia just to name a few.

We can mulch perennials with pine straw or other suitable material to conserve water and to shade out weeds. Prune out any dead stems and remember that deadheading is important to keep many perennials in bloom. Some perennial vines will need pruning to get them back in order before they become a tangled mess. Repair any weak or broken trellis and other supports early in the season in advance of summer growth.

May is a good time to fertilize woody foundation shrubs and landscape trees. In the absence of a soil test, one or two pounds of quick release fertilizer such as triple 8 or 13-13-13 may be used per 100 square feet. Typically, a total of three applications are made; one each in March, May and July. Controlled release fertilizers may also be used at label rates.

Azaleas and other spring flowering woody ornamentals are pruned after they finish blooming and before July 4. Azaleas do not have to be pruned every year. Remove dead branches on azaleas and other shrubs at the base of the branch or stem.

Azaleas in the landscape should be inspected for lace bugs by checking the underside of leaves for these pests. Other pests to look for on foundation shrubs and landscape trees include spider mites and aphids.

Fall planted bulbs get lots of attention. Let's not forget that summer blooming bulbs can be planted this time of year and their beauty enjoyed all summer. Caladium is a great choice especially since there are those that prefer shade and also those strap-leaved varieties that will tolerate full sun. Remember also that gladiolus may be planted successively for a continual bloom period throughout the summer and early fall. Other bulbs to plant now include canna, crinum, dahlia, daylily, lilies and monbretia (Crocosmia).

Warm soil means it's time to plant heat loving vegetables like Southern peas and okra. Herbs like basil and dill can also be planted now. Successive plantings of sweet corn and the addition of more tomato, pepper, summer squash and cucumber plants will provide an extended harvest period.

Blueberry harvest will begin this month for many varieties. Pruning blueberry bushes for size reduction or rejuvenation may begin after harvest is complete. Happy Gardening!

These archived columns were written by Kerry Johnson, a hobby gardener, former weekly newspaper columnist and an Area Extension Horticulture Agent for 11 coastal counties in Mississippi.