May 2008 Gardening Checklist

• If needed, prune early spring-flowering trees and shrubs, such as lilac, azalea, forsythia and dogwood, within about four weeks after flowers fade. If you delay this task much longer, you run the risk of pruning off next year’s flowers.

Plant warm-season crops, like tomatoes,
after danger of frost has passed.
Photo courtesy National Garden Bureau
• Plant tender, warm-season vegetables outdoors after danger of frost is past. This includes tomatoes, corn, peppers, eggplant and vine crops. Apply Preen Vegetable Garden Weed Preventer according to label directions.
• Plant outdoors tender annuals and tender perennials or bulbs, such as cannas, gladiolus, dahlias, tuberous begonias and caladiums.
• Apply Preen Mulch Plus to garden beds. It prevents weeds for six months, longer than any other mulch on the market. Preen Mulch Plus Color Enhanced Russet Red, Midnight Black and Cocoa Brown are guaranteed not to fade for one year.
• Pinch chrysanthemums and certain annuals, such as impatiens and petunias to keep them compact and well branched.
• Move houseplants to a shady location outdoors when danger of frost has past. The soil in the pots will dry out faster outdoors, so check it frequently.
• Take cuttings from houseplants to increase collection or share. Root cuttings in media such as vermiculite, perlite or potting soil.