Tips of the Month
Plant Out Pepper Plants
June is the month to plant out your pepper plants. If the beginning of the month is cool and wet wait for warmer temperatures. Peppers thrive on warm weather and warm rich soil. When planting add composted cow manure along with some water soluable vegetable fertilizer such as Plant Products 15-15-30.
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Clip Back Garden Bullies
Now is the time to clip back the 'garden bullies' in your patio containers. Plants such as potato vine, licorice plant and wave petunias have the tendency to overtake containers and smother out less vigorous varieties. Don't hesitate to introduce them to your pruners!
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Tomatoes
July is the month to observe the progress of your tomatoes. The curling or yellowing of the lower foliage is minor and nothing to worry about. If you are growing 'staked' tomatoes, keep the soil evenly moist, add mulch if needed and the cracking of the fruit will be minor.
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Dividing Your Iris
Dividing of your Iris is best done at the end of July to the beginning of August. Divide plants only every three to four years, making sure each division has at least one fan of leaves. Place the top of the horizontal rhizome just at the soil surface. Plant in full sun and in well-drained, rich soil.
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Watch Roses for Mildew and Blackspot
This is the month when your roses are subject to the beginnings of mildew and blackspot problems. Use a recommended fungicide or try one of the many "natural" enviromentally friendly remedies found in many gardening magazines.
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Backyard Composting
Don't forget to turn your compost and regularly add water. The hot temperature can dry out your compost and temporarily slow it down, keeping it from breaking down or decomposing the materials added. Water is must to keep the enzymes, microorganisms and insects on a healthy diet! Keep feeding them grass clippings, spent flowers, and kitchen waste. On the other hand too much water can cause a lack of oxygen in the mix and create methane gas which creates a very unpleasant odour.
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