Late spring is the time of year when flowers are bursting open on a daily basis. The garden, for the most part, is a flurry of activity. Bees, hungry after the long winter are flocking to the opening flowers and dandelions to gather nectar. Butterflies are arriving. The birds are flying around looking for bugs to eat, taking care of their young and seeking out the feeders with the best food. Keeping the birdbath filled and the feeders is important if you want to entice the birds to stay in your garden.
This has been an unusual spring in
Indiana. The tulips seemed to last forever and are still lingering. They also seemed to grow taller than normal. The peonies have not began blooming. The lilac still have blooms and some have not bloomed yet. The cool weather has played a part in this. Once the dog days of summer begin the flowers will fade faster. The spring flowers will be gone until next year.
Of course summer brings with it lovely plants such as roses, hollyhock and delphinium. Who can resist the allure and fragrance of summer flowers?
There is still time to dig and divide perennials and bulbs if your beds are overgrown. Tulips should be divided as soon as they finish blooming, as is the case with most bulbs. Shrubs that have finished blooming should be trimmed back. Keeping weeds pulled is essential. They will get a head of you if not dealt with on a regular basis.
It is not too late to plant a vegetable garden. Many seeds, such as corn, do much better if planted in warm soil. Tomatoes, peppers, eggplant and watermelon also prefer the warm soil instead of the cool spring soil. They need high temperatures and sunshine to perform their best. Planting can go on all summer in the vegetable garden and plants such as lettuce can be grown during the cold months outside if given protection.
This is a great time of year to think of others as well. Give someone who has never grown a plant a division of one of your plants and care instructions. Take the time to help them plant it. If you have a child in your life, allow them to start a garden of their very own. The seeds planted in childhood will carry through. Enjoy the remaining days of the spring garden, but remember to plan ahead for the dog days of summer so you can spend the hottest part of the year enjoying your garden instead of being a slave to it.
