Landscaping

        • Prune spring-flowering shrubs and trees, except dogwoods, within two weeks after blooms fade. Take care when pruning azaleas and rhododendrons to avoid damaging the buds already setting on for next year's blooms.

        • Group plants that have the same cultural needs, such as plants preferring dry soil in an area that gets less rain.

Vegetables

        • Start seeds in the garden now for muskmelon, watermelon, squash, okra and pumpkins. Set out seedlings of eggplant, pepper, tomato and sweet potato.

Pest patrol

        • Dogwood borers invade pruning wounds in late May and June. Avoid pruning from April through June. The best time to prune or gently shape dogwoods is early July.

        • Lady beetles, sometimes called lady bugs, control pests both in the larval and the adult stage. Their meal of preference is aphids, but they will consume other small, soft-bodied plant feeders. Planting sweet corn or greens may attract lady beetles, ensuring a continuous supply of these beneficial insects.

Eco tip

        • Over-mulching can cause oxygen deprivation to roots, excessive moisture in the soil and decay of the roots and trunk of the plant. Especially sensitive to over-mulching are rhododendrons, dogwoods, azaleas, holly, boxwood, linden, ash and spruce.

        Contact the Civic Garden Center Hotline by e-mail: hotline@civicgardencenter.org, or phone, 221-8733.

You might not want 'genuine' geraniums
Couple share the good life in Adams County
Building products booming
Magazine publisher finds gold in niches
Stir things up a bit when remodeling kitchen
Circle this
In the know
To do this week
Robert Earl Keen's 'best western' no boast
Get to it