Place houseplants outdoors for the summer in shady locations. Leaves used to low, interior light levels will scorch in full sunlight.
– Encourage a rapid burst of new growth on rose bushes by removing the first blossoms and pruning to the first five-leaflet leaf. Fertilize monthly and monitor for black spot and powdery mildew.
– Inspect for various leaf-feeding caterpillars (edges of leaves will have holes or pieces missing). These larvae may be visible when eating, but often hide during the day to avoid being eaten by predators. Apply appropriate controls if damage is severe.
– Look for leaf miners on leaves of plants such as hawthorns, birch and alder. Affected leaves have hollow tunnels and turn brown or resemble onion skins. Because the insect is inside the leaf, a systemic pesticide (one that travels through the plant) must be used.
– Water only when the soil is dry. Excessive spring rains can saturate the soil and additional watering can cause plant stress. A long screwdriver, root feeder or soil probe placed into the soil and removed often will indicate soil moisture.
– Plant gladiolus at 10-day intervals for continual bloom throughout the summer.
– Get more fruit from tomato plants by pinching off suckers (shoots that grow out from the junction of the stem and branches). Watch for tomato hornworm and other garden pests, which can damage plants and reduce yields.
