New England
May 2, 2002
By Suzanne DeJohn,
Cambridge, VT
Check Iris for Borers
Check bearded iris leaves for yellow streaks and mushy spots. These are sure signs of iris borer activity. Check the rhizomes for borer holes and remove infested parts. In the future avoid covering rhizomes with mulch or soil, because this encourages borer activity.
Mulch Trees
Mulching helps conserve moisture and inhibit weeds. However, don't let the mulch layer get too deep under trees. Ideally, the mulch should be about 2 inches deep. Any deeper and it can smother shallow roots. If necessary, remove old mulch before apply new material. Also, avoid piling mulch against the tree trunk, because this can cause fungal problems on the trunk.
Divide Perennials
There's still time to divide perennials, especially late-flowering ones such as asters and chrysanthemum. Be sure to provide new transplants with plenty of water this first season, to help them establish deep root systems.
Make Successive Sowings
Sow small sections of lettuce and spinach every two weeks or so. This will extend your harvest until early summer, when hot weather will cause these crops to bolt and turn bitter. Then, consider planting warm-season replacements, such as malabar spinach.
Control Tent Caterpillars
Check apple, cherry, and other fruit trees for nests of tent caterpillars. They will emerge at the same times as leaves sprout. Blast low-lying nests with water to destroy them or spray Bt on emerging caterpillars. Bt will harm only the caterpillars and not other beneficial insects, birds or humans.