Page 42 - AreaNewsletters "May 2022" issue

Rejoice Gardeners
It’s Mother’s Day!
It’s almost Mother’s Day, the traditional day after which it is considered “safe” to plant in our gardens!
P But hold on to those trowels, not so fast!
lenty of homes in Douglas
County are situated at altitudes
where the actual last freeze may
come later, so keep an eye on the
forecast, and consider using a zip
code-guided search to identify the
average last frost for your speci c
area before planting. Alternatively, be
prepared to cover tender seedlings
and new plantings in the case of inclement weather and low temperatures-cover them during the day before the temperatures start dropping-ensuring the cover is ush to the ground around the plant. In addition to being fairly certain no more freezes are in store, a wise gardener will wait until day and night temperatures are above 55 degrees to plant vegetable transplants and to direct-sow warm season vegetable seeds like squash, tomatoes, and green beans. Consideralsoprotectingnewtransplants from harsh winds and afternoon sun to aid their rapid growth.
Now that temperatures have consistently risen, it is also time to fertilize cool season grasses, which includes most lawns. As precipitation lowers and daytime temperatures rise, gardeners may be tempted to water lawns regularly. A word to the wise: watering lawns deeply and infrequently will
May 2022 • Castle Rock “AreaNewsletters”
encourage the lawn to grow deeper roots, preparing it for hotter, dryer spells. Don’t be tempted by daily watering!
Another springtime job that follows regularwarmertemperaturesisplanting ornamental or productive containers. Consider watering needs over the season here as well. Containers should
be at minimum a foot wide to avoid them drying out too quickly. On the ip side, also make sure containers have a drainage hole to avoid saturation. When planting containers, it is acceptable (and even desirable in the case of annuals) to tightly space plants. With adequate fertilization and moisture, crowded containers will both thrive and be aesthetically pleasing all season long.
When selecting plants for containers, consider watering needs to formulate combinations as well as the tried and true “thrill, ll and spill” trick for ornamentals. “Thrill” refers to a center, typically taller planting, that is surrounded by the lower “ ll” spreading planting, with both bordered or balanced by the “spill” planting which is a trailing plant. Keep an eye out for pests on all plants (in containers or beds) and don’t hesitate to reach out to the Colorado Master Gardeners for assistance with challenges.
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H O ME & G A R D E N