Coastal and Tropical South
June, 2006
Regional Report
Be Creative With Mosaic Pots
Jazz up some clay or ceramic pots with a crafty project. Gather up tile adhesive, grout, and a tray of precut tile shapes. Use adhesive to glue the tiles in place, then grout the entire surface. Use a damp cloth to expose the tiles, let the pot dry, and plant.
Reduce Landscape Fire Hazards
Don't be fooled by recent rains -- parts of our region are very dry. If your property includes wild, grassy areas, keep them cut. Remove old tree trunks and large branches left in debris piles, or any dead plant matter that can be blown about in high winds and spread flames.
Patrol for Weeds
Summer's hectic schedules can leave little time for garden chores, but find some time to weed the vegetable patch and the area around it. Lots of pests spend the summer in senescence (rest period), hatching about the time your fall flowers and vegetables get started. Keep their habitat under control.
Sow Crops for August Transplanting
Plant these seeds now for transplanting in August: 'Ambrosia' cantaloupe and summer-type squash ('Peter Pan' and other pattypans, straight, and crookneck). Don't forget to provide stakes or other trellising for tomatoes and fall cucumbers like 'Tycoon'. Seed 'Solarset' tomatoes for the bed and 'Sweet 100' for big pots.
Sow Summer Crops
Seed these vegetables now in small pots to set out in six weeks: jalapeno, cayenne, and other hot peppers; tomatoes from 'Floradel' to little 'Sunsugar'. Use Jiffy-7s or peat pots so you can plant these without disturbing their roots: small watermelons like 'Sugar Baby', summer-type squash crookneck, and scallopini.
