Forest Corners Quarterly

Summer is here!  Pinch back new growth on plants you pruned in May for fuller, bushier shrubs.  Check your orchids and re-pot if needed. Move your shrubs.

This is a good month to plant trees and shrubs.  Wait until after the first rain soaks the ground and be sure to water as you plant.  Prune plants that are done blossoming.  Prune your poinsettias.

It is too late to start from seeds for a spring garden. Use seedlings.  You can start plants from Cuttings. Be sure to select twigs from healthy, new growth.  Root prune any shrub you plan to move in June.

Thin the fruit trees by leaving 1 fruit blossom every 6 to 12 inches on the branch.  The higher the leaf to fruit ratio the sweeter the fruit.  Plant carrots for late fall crop; stake and pinch suckers on tomatoes.  Don’t pick green beans when it’s raining or rust will appear on the beans.  Prune rhododendruons after they flower.

Weed perennials, top dress with compost.  Trim climbing roses, scatter crushed egg shells in a thick ring around bushes.  Prune suckers from fruit trees before they get ahead of you.  Plant any remaining vegetables by the light of the moon.

Tomatoes and peppers should be in bloom. Dust with baby powder.  Rake and remove all old mulch from the rest of the garden.  Scatter poppy seeds to grow where they are.  Don’t fertilize strawberries in the spring.  Plant rose bushes now.