Forest Hills Gardens News - May 2024 | Issue 1
Gardening in the Gardens - May
With the threat of frost now passed, it's time to enhance our gardens with new plantings. Mother's Day, celebrated on May 12th, marks the official start of planting season for many.
May is a good time to:
-Head out to local garden shops to stock up on annuals to supplement your perennials
-Check weather forecasts — once the nighttime freezing temperatures have passed, it is safe to begin outdoor planting
-Think of mosquito control when shopping for plant materials. Marigolds and lavender are rumored to help repel summer insects
-Concerned about the proliferation of dandelion last year? Local gardeners state that weed control needs to be put down in May in order to keep them in check, thereby avoiding the back-breaking digging out of their root systems
-Prefer container planting over ground digging? Container plants require more watering since they dry out more quickly, but have the advantage of being able to be placed on rollers to move around your patio or yard to catch full sun when needed
-Some plants are best in containers: invasive, fast growing plants like mint and rosemary are best planted and controlled in a pot
-While it may seem economical to reuse soil you had from last year, it is SUPER important to refresh your container garden soil before planting to allow for nutrient replenishment. Last year’s soil has had most of its nutrients depleted and can be compacted, which affects drainage capabilities. Also, your old soil may risk transferring diseases and pests to this year’s plants. Fresh soil ensures that water can flow freely and helps prevent root rot, too.
-Poison Ivy DOES exist in Forest Hills Gardens so be sure to avoid “leaves of three” (see photo) to avoid a rash. Every part of poison ivy contains urushiol, oil that causes an allergic reaction or rash in most people - stems and leaves. The oil can even transfer from your clothing, pets, and garden tools to your skin and cause a rash. Best to use disposable gloves and wash thoroughly when handling poison ivy since even dead plant material contains oil that remains active for years
-Poison Sumac and Poison Oak exists as well in Forest Hills, but Poison Ivy is more prevalent
-Did you have dead patches or bare spots on your lawn last winter? Crabgrass grows from seeds dropped the previous fall and sends down roots wherever its stems touch the soil. These patches die off after the first frost and leave patches. Digging down and pulling crabgrass before it goes to seed, working to stay ahead of it, will avoid the patchiness.
-Ideally plant either in the morning or late afternoon and water deeply to make the transition easier on a plant by avoiding the drying blazing sun.
-Perennial bulbs can now go into the unfrozen soil. Now is the time to plant summer-flowering bulbs like dahlia, gladiolus, tuberous begonia, and calla in borders, beds, and containers.