Native Landscapes, Inc

Native Plant Garden Center

991 Route 22, Quaker Ridge Plaza

PO Box 327; Pawling, NY 12564

Tel: 845-855-7050  Fax: 845-855-7016

Website: www.nativelandscaping.net

Email:  pete@nativelandscaping.net

“The Beauty of Green is the Nature of Our Business.”

The Living Landscape Journal:  Weather Green    June

This spring’s fickled weather continued through April and May. During the later part of April, temperatures rose into the 70s and 80s and we had one day where the mercury hit 90 degrees. This early warm weather forced trees, shrubs and perennials to bud out 2 to 3 weeks early and most of us thought spring was here to stay and the cold weather was behind us. In mid May, Mother Nature stepped in to say “I’m still in charge.” Temperatures dropped into the mid 20s and set records across the Hudson Valley. Many of us were caught by surprise as we began to set out our tender flowers and vegetables in the garden. Another valuable and costly lesson learned.

The last week of May and through June is the time to begin seeding our temperate vegetables in the garden. This is the time we can begin planting annuals, tomatoes, peppers and basil. Cold hardy vegetables such as peas, lettuce and radishes can be started outside a bit earlier because they can withstand some frosty mornings. Don’t be fooled by spring’s early warm weather it can catch us off guard and be costly.

Let’s talk a little bit about lawns because June is a grass month. We had many calls at the Garden Center about lawns filled with weeds. Dandelions were all over, lawns loaded with clover and in general broadleaf plants were more numerous this year. Why are there so many weeds in the lawn? To briefly define a weed; basically it’s a plant growing out of place or in an unwanted area.  Most of us have this conception that a lawn should only consist of bladed grass. I don’t agree. I look forward to perennials blooming throughout the season in the lawn. Keeping the lawn cut at around 3 inches allows many different bladed grasses as well as low broad leaf plants to grow in harmony. The transition from sun to shade can go from fescue to sedum and eventually to moss. This is the transition nature is comfortable with so why fight it. The alternative is a chemical onslaught that is unhealthy for the whole environment.

There are situations where poor soils can cause an imbalance and some work needs to be done. Clay soils, soils lacking organic matter, and compacted soils, may need some help. Aerating, topdressing and over seeding create the best results. Many soils lack calcium so adding calcium with lime can improve growing conditions. Timing is everything. So when the weather is cool and moist begin working on the lawn. Try not to waste water on the lawn. Water is too valuable.

Pete & the Natives

www.nativelandscaping.net