May Gardening Tip
- Install summer flowering plants – choose plants with good drought tolerance over high water using plants
- Fertilize annuals and perennials for early summer. Apply at half strength during this drought
- Clean up fallen citrus fruit and debris to prevent pests
- Set out Yellow Jacket Traps
- Replenish mulch to a minimum of 2” thick especially during this drought
- Cultivate the surface of mulch to prevent crusting and to allow water to penetrate
- Program irrigation controllers for the summer and reduce by 30% for drought response
- Control aphids, scale and mealy bugs using integrated pest management techniques. Treat small populations with low impact products such as Safer Soap
- Water container plants whenever soil has dried 1 inch below the surface
- Remove dead flowers to encourage more blooms
- Early summer is time to apply an organic granular rose and flower fertilizer
- Prune spring flowering shrubs. Prune lightly during this drought
- Plant summer edibles
- Begin thinning early summer fruits
- Control weeds to help reduce drought stress on ornamental plants
- Consult the Drought Response section of the Gardenworks Inc. website for more drought response tips