June 26 - September 1, 2008
Gardening Guidance
Helpful hints to implement in your home garden provided by gardening and landscaping expert Moore Landscapes, Inc.
- May 15th kicks off the summer planting season because frost typically will not occur.
- Preparation of planting beds or soil medium is the key to a successful garden, planter, pot or window box display.
- When using a planter or window box, always discard the previous summer’s soil mix and replace with new soil for a fresh start.
- Ground planting beds should be rototilled at a 6” depth to combine the soil mix contents making planting easier. When tilling, add a time release fertilizer to give plants the food they need.
- When planning a garden or summer display, be sure to read the plant tags prior to purchase to verify requirements for sunlight, fertilizer, watering and, insect and disease tolerance, and plant size at maturity.
- Purchase a general fertilizer that will satisfy low and heavy feeders without causing damage. Summer annuals like marigolds, geraniums, petunias, salvias and vinca are heavy feeders that need nitrogen to maintain their flower/color. Low feeders like zinnias, osteosperum and daisy require less frequent applications of fertilizer.
- Do not dig too deep or too shallow, the base of the plant should be ground level when in the hole.
- Backfill properly by using the displaced soil from the hole and do not pile to high around the plant.
Email your flower care and gardening questions to gardens@themagnificentmile.com and they will be answered by the experts at Moore Landscapes, Inc.