By Mary Jane Frogge, Extension Associate in Lancaster County
Plant ground covers under shade trees that do not allow enough sunlight to grow turfgrass. Vinca minor or English ivy are ground cover plants that grow well in shade.
To grow annuals in containers on the patio, use a lightweight soil mixture. Keep the plants well watered, because the soil dries out fast. Apply a water-soluble fertilizer according to package directions every two weeks.
In May, have successive plantings of beans and sweet corn to extend the harvest season in the vegetable garden.
When you visit botanical gardens and arboretums, take your camera and notepad with you. Plan now for changes you will make in your landscape.
Grow your own dried flowers. Raise statice, globe amaranth, straw flowers and other everlastings to provide flowers for this year’s arrangements.
For maximum landscape interest in a small, vertical space, try annual vines. They can hide plain walls and fences. When trellised, vines can create shade and privacy while hiding undesirable views. Try morning glory, nasturtium vine and scarlet runner bean.
Watering roses with soaker hoses or drip irrigation will reduce the spread of black spot disease.
Mulch around newly planted trees and shrubs. This practice reduces weeds, controls fluctuations in soil temperature, retains moisture, prevents damage from lawn mowers and looks attractive.
Stay out of the garden when the vegetable plant leaves are wet. Walking through a wet garden spreads disease from one plant to another.
Four or five layers of newspaper will serve as an effective mulch in the garden. Cover it with grass clippings or wood-bark, like cedar, to prevent it from blowing away.
Plan a landscaping project on paper first. Do not over plant. Be sure you know the mature size of each plant and allow for growth.
In May, plant marigold, petunia, ageratum and begonia transplants. All are good border plants.