Adair County
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ORNAMENTALS
Week 1
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Watch for bagworms feeding on many garden plants, but especially juniper and aborvitae.
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Deadhead bulbs and spring flowering perennials as blossoms fade.
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Thin seedlings to proper spacings before plants crowd each other.
Weeks 2-4
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Apply organic mulches as the soil warms. These will conserve moisture, discourage weeds, and enrich the soil as they decay.
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Most houseplants brought outside prefer a bright spot shaded from afternoon sun. Check soil moisture daily during hot weather.
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Rhizomatous begonias are not just for shade. Many varieties, especially those with bronze foliage do well in full sun if given plenty of water and a well-drained site.
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Apply a balanced rose fertilizer after the first show of blooms is past.
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When night temperatures stay above 50 degrees, bring houseplants outdoors for the summer.
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Apply a second spray for borer control on hardwood trees.
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Plant tropical water lilies when water temperatures rise above 70 degrees.
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Trees and shrubs may still be fertilized before July 4th.
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Softwood cuttings can be taken form trees and shrubs as the spring flush of growth is beginning to mature.
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Pruning of spring flowering trees and shrubs should be done after flowering.
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Continue spraying roses with a fungicide to prevent black spot disease.
VEGETABLES
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Repeat plantings of corn and beans to extend the harvest season.
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As soon as cucumber and squash vines start to “run,” begin spray treatments to control cucumber beetles and squash vine borers.
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Plant pumpkins now to have Jack-O-Lanterns for Halloween.
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Early detection is essential for good control of vegetable pests. Learn to identify and distinguish between pests and beneficial predators.
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Stop harvesting asparagus when the spears become thin.
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Start seedlings of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. These will provide transplants for the fall garden.
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Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems make the most efficient use of water during dry times.
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To minimize diseases, water with overhead irrigation early enough in the day to allow the foliage to dry before the nightfall.
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Set out transplants of brussel sprouts started last month. These will mature for a fall harvest.
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To maximize top growth on asparagus, apply 2 pounds of 12-12-12 fertilizer per 100 sq. feet, water well and renew mulches to conserve moisture.
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Control corn earworms. Apply several drops of mineral oil every 3 to 7 days once silks appear. Sprays of B.T. are also effective.
FRUITS
Week 1
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Oriental fruit moths emerge. Most serious on peaches where first generation attacks growing tips. Shoots will wilt. These should be pruned out.
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Thinning overloaded fruit trees will result in larger and heathier fruits at harvest time. Thinned fruits should be a hands width apart.
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Enjoy the strawberry harvest.
Weeks 2-4
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Renovate strawberries after harvest. Mow the rows; thin out excess plants; remove weeds; fertilize, and apply mulch for weed control.
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Summer fruiting raspberries are ripening now.
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Begin control for apple maggot flies.
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Spray trunks of peach trees and other stone fruits for peach tree borers.
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Prune and train young fruit trees to eliminate poorly positioned branches and establish proper crotch angles.
TURFGRASS
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Water turf as needed to prevent drought stress.
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Mow lawns frequently enough to remove no more than one-third total height per mowing. There is no need to remove clippings unless excessive.
- Mow bluegrass at 2 to 3.5 inch height. Turfgrasses growing in shaded conditions should be mowed at the higher recommendations.
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University of Missouri Extension |
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