Don't Rush the Season




			Any day now you’ll start to see summer annuals and tomato plants offered for sale, mostly at the box stores, supermarkets, and hardware stores all anxious to get your flower dollars. Please stop to think and remember that cold, wet May last year that caused many annuals to get off to a horrible start. If you go by the calendar and say “I always wait till Mother’s Day”, last year Mom celebrated on May 14th and this year she will have her day on May 8th.
		Forget the calendar system! You need to wait until your soil temperature reaches 65 degrees or warmer to plant annuals. Planting tomatoes and impatiens in cool soil can and will stunt the roots leaving you very disappointed come mid June when they are not growing. If you insist on early May annual color, plant in Planters hanging baskets, and window boxes using a good soilless potting mix like Fertilome. Then if we have temporary cool snaps that can occur in May, you can bring these containers inside until it warms back up.

		Next week I’ll destroy some bad myths about different bagged soils and soil amendments. I think you’ll find the info quite helpful and maybe explain why a lot of you have been very disappointed after you thought you were being so kind buying all the right stuff.