As always we have a few
gardening ideas to start your summer off.
Consistent daytime temperatures of 90 - 95 degrees generally marks the
start of a once daily water schedule.
Remember to water in the cool of the day, ONE TIME A DAY. We water too little and too often in the
Desert. Be certain the water is on long
enough to saturate the deepest root ball. Keep in mind, newly planted material
may require a bit more water when first planted but once the roots are
set; o n c e d a i l y
water is the rule of thumb. Cactus
and succulents are not the same as hibiscus and citrus trees; they have
completely different water needs -- never the two shall meet. Most cacti thrive on weekly water while their
more lush counterparts require daily irrigation during the summer. Container gardens may need a little more
water when temperatures spike; cactus in pots need water twice a week. Rye seed is slowly dying out as Bermuda grass
awakens this time of year. Don’t be
fooled into thinking your grass needs more water -- this is the natural
transitional process for turf when evening temperatures rise.
Give your irrigation
system a pre-summer physical. Is the backup
battery in your time clock up to date?
It your clock set to the correct time?
Is your water start time appropriate?
Summer power outages can create a real problem if even one irrigation
cycle is missed. Make certain sprinkler
heads and drip emitters are functioning properly. Check for clogged heads and low water
pressure. A beautiful garden requires a
little work!
Mulch in May (or June) as
preventative medicine against heat all summer long. Mulching enables plants to retain moisture;
it keeps the roots cool. Surface mulch
inhibits weed growth and prevents reflective sun damage. All of this puts less stress on plant
material which keeps them healthy. Finally,
adding mulch to planter beds fights against erosion. Spread a two inch layer of mulch throughout
your planter beds to take advantage of all these benefits.
Fertilize! June is a fantastic growing month for any and
everything in the garden. Daytime temperatures
remain relatively mild while evenings become warmer; this optimizes daytime
grow-time. The goal is to promote
healthy growth enabling plants to stand up to the dog days of summer. Fertilizer helps the process along. Choose the best fertilizer option for the
task at hand.
Watch for pests. Insects are a huge problem this year because
the winter was so mild; they’ve had the full year to grow fat and happy. This is especially true of whitefly. Leaf minor and bougainvillea looper remain
tenacious as well. All the usual
suspects; mites, scales, mealy bugs and ants have moved in apparently to
stay. Combat the agave borer weevil this
month; treatment is quick, easy and mandatory.
It is critical to stay ahead of garden pests through the summer. Apply all pesticides as directed. Choose the right product for the job and
apply at the correct time of day. Visit
Moller’s, we are here to help all summer long--except Sundays.
Hummingbirds remain
present and hungry this spring. Many of
you may have noticed nests in precarious places. It may seem the birds are not eating as
much. This is largely due to the fact
there is so much natural food out there….never fear. Hummingbirds are always hungry. In the mean time, feed the finches – they too
are always hungry and equally as interesting to watch.
You have plenty of time to
plant through June and plenty of material to plant. This is the time for seasonal color
change. Don’t forget your pots, summer
color does great in container gardens as well as in your flower beds. Moller’s is open all summer long -- except
Sundays. It has been a terrific Season
at Moller’s and we thank you.