Arizona in the Saddle | Page 35

in season may gardening checklist What To Buy: Apricots, Arugula, Beets, Blackberries, Carrots, Cucumbers, Garlic, Greens, Herbs, Leeks, Lettuce, Nectarines, Onions, Peaches, Peas, Potatoes, Radishes, Spinach, Squash (summer), Sweet Onions, Tomatoes, Zucchini, Zucchini Blossoms Weeding: Summer is coming, bermuda grass is actively invading flower beds. Stick to your fertilizing program. It is a good time to use acid fertilizer with plants needing it. Check plants for chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves). Thin fruits, to increase their quality and prevent them from dropping as the heat sets in. Mulch wherever the sun is shining directly on the dirt to keep the roots cool. Protect your Sago palms from direct sun to prevent them from yellowing. Check your potted plants, except for the toughest most resistant, they might need to be watered twice a day. Keep the pot out of direct sunlight to avoid cooking the roots. Maintenance and cleanup: Check your drip watering system for the coming summer heat. Verify the ground humidity around all plants. Check your drippers every other day to see if any popped out now that heat is making the hoses softer. Replace bedding plants like petunias that won’t take the heat. Finish the cleanup of last winter frost damage. Citrus: Check that all the trunk parts of citrus and young trees that are exposed to the sun are painted white. This keeps them cooler and protects them from sunburn. Use white latex paint diluted with water (1 volume white flat latex paint for 1 volume water). 18th Annual Prescott Frontier Days Fundraiser Trail Ride September 11 – 13 in the cool pines south of Prescott at the Groom Creek Horse Camp Three days of trail riding, great food, and fun! • Live entertainment and silent auction Friday night • Live and silent auction Saturday night • Happy hour Friday and Saturday nights – share your stories of that day’s ride! Cost: $185/person includes all meals and camping fees. Corrals and picket lines at each camp site. Deadline: August 14, 2015 Space is limited! For information and ride application contact Christie Anderson, Trail Boss @ 928-710-1349 or [email protected] Have an event you would like to add to our Upcoming Events page or to our Monthly Calendar? Please contact Casey: [email protected] This is a excellent way to reach thousands of Arizona Residents and its FREE! www.AZintheSaddle.com What to sow or plant: Balsam, Celosia Cockscomb, Cosmos, Dahlia, Four O’clock, Gaillardia, Gloriosa Daisy, Gourds, Hollyhocks, Kochia, Marigold, Portulaca, Salvia, Shasta Daisy, Sunflower, Thunbergia, Vinca, Zinnia In the vegetable garden: Plant cantaloupe, pumpkin, winter squash. Sources: fillyourplate.org, gardeninginarizona.com Erin Rae Smith Owner/Trainer American Saddlebred Training, Lessons and Sales 480-239-5348 AZintheSaddle.com May 2015 35