Are all you gardeners out there getting excited? Some early varieties are already in full bloom, e.g., Dicentra, creeping phlox, and Geum, but the color bonanza of summer is about to burst forth. Apart from what our perennial varieties are about to produce, the local garden centers are full of inviting annuals with their array of bedding flats, hanging baskets and mixed containers.

All these garden center items have been carefully produced in greenhouses and nurseries where the growers have been meticulously aiming to produce the best quality available for their customers’ satisfaction and enjoyment. Good plants don’t just happen. They are protected from diseases and pests and, more importantly, provided with a constant source of nutrients to ensure their correct development. It’s important for us, as gardeners, to continue some or all these practices in our home environment if we want to continue to enjoy quality material throughout the season. 

One of the most important aspects of keeping a plant healthy in the home garden environment, apart from correct watering, is fertilization. How many times do we see our beautiful green plant foliage turn yellow and begin to look past its best? Fertilizer is not optional, it’s a must. Plants manufacture food from the sun by the process of photosynthesis. Perennials also get minerals from the ground. But container plants, pots, hanging pots and deck planters need supplemental feeding. What if you drank water with no food every day? How would you feel? The limited starter charge in the compost in which they are planted is simply not enough to sustain them.

Container plants absolutely need additional fertilizers. You can use a slow-release type like Osmocote or a J. R. Peters brand of granular fertilizer which is activated with moisture. There are many different types of soluble fertilizers out there. I use Miracle Gro, but it’s your choice, as long as you fertilize your plants at least once a week. That way you can almost guarantee quality and a colorful display throughout the season. A happy plant is one that has a good white root system and shiny green foliage. 

Temperatures don’t lie, meaning that, generally, the warmer the temperature the faster the plant will develop. You can use this to your advantage. I like to plant the same variety in different areas of my sun/shade garden and thus get a range of flowering times with the same item. Something to think about for next year.

We all have pest and disease issues. My wife’s Mother’s Day rose from last year, my phlox and my bee balm are currently looking healthy with nice green foliage thanks to the first mildew spray I applied last month (as recommended in my May WFP column). It’s important to repeat this spray now to continue disease protection. 

Rabbits and deer can be problematic. Again, there are a lot of different products on the market, but I prefer granular Rabbit & Deer Off. Liquid applications are okay but tend to get washed off quickly with the next rainfall. Then you forget to reapply. For those who have fruit crops, especially raspberries, I have found Captain Jack’s Dead Bug Brew provides clean fruit and prevents the totally unwanted little grubs/larvae that can appear on the fruit when preventive spray applications (following label instructions) are not carried out.

Hopefully, your gardens are providing you with enjoyment and associated exercise. In these days of higher gas prices, what better way to spend your time than staying home and enjoying the peace and quiet in your own haven full of colorful, well-cared for, beautiful plants. “Just one more plant, please,” the avid gardener cried!  

Roger McGaughery was educated in Northern Ireland and received a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Horticultural Science from Reading University in England. He has 50 years of experience working in the greenhouse industry in England and America.