OK, we're ready, bring on all those 'May flowers'
Elaine Cerny | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 14 years, 2 months AGO
Here we go with a brand new month. Now we finally get to enjoy all those May flowers which all those April showers created. Right? Should be a bumper crop as it seemed to rain every day in April.
I don't know about you, but with all the wet weather, I had a tough time getting much yard work done. As the old horse racing saying goes, I'm so far behind, I think I'm first!
Perennial plants are amazing. Despite all the cold wet weather, most of them have managed to produce new spring growth and quite a few are already blooming.
First came the old reliable lenten roses (helleboro). These are such eye candy after the months of snow and ice. Mine are planted on the east side of a huge pine tree. They must love it there as the clump produces more flowers each year and they last for a very long time.
These plants are not at all demanding. Give them an occasional drink of water, maybe toss some compost their way and they are happy to produce nice leathery leaves which last all summer. The flowers are pretty when picked with a very short stem and floated in a shallow bowl.
The spring flowering bulbs have been showing off and most will continue this month. The earliest were the tiny snowdrops and some of the latest are the parrot tulips.
Tulips and daffodils need to be kept fairly dry for the rest of the summer. Too much water while they're dormant will cause them to rot.
Remember the rule of thumb in our area... no annuals should be planted before May 15. When buying perennials, always check the labels. Look for those marked zone 5 or less. Just because a plant is offered for sale, don't assume it is tough enough to grow here. Always check, it will save you both dollars and heartache.
Be sure to start a garden journal if you don't already have one. These will prove invaluable in later years when you want to know just when the first crocus bloomed or what kind of lettuce you planted, etc.
Another thing to note is the date when migrating birds come back. I noticed the first tree swallows last week. Swallows will play with feathers and are fun to watch. Other old friends have been showing up too. Keep those feeders full of seed as they will be hungry after that long flight. Fill and hang that old suet holder with short bits of string and lint from the dryer. These make good nesting materials.
If you're like me and have lots of frozen rhubarb to use up, here is a good recipe.
Strawberry Rhubarb Jam/Sauce
2 cups fresh or frozen strawberries, crushed
1 cups finely diced fresh or frozen rhubarb
2 cups sugar
1 can (6 oz.) crushed pineapple, (undrained)
1 package (3 oz.) strawberry Jell-O
In a large pot, combine all except the Jello. Boil, reduce heat and simmer 20 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in Jell-O until dissolved. Refrigerate 3-4 weeks. Makes 5 cups. Try this on ice cream, waffles or pancakes. Delicious.
Be sure to note the date for the Plant Expo at Spokane Community College. The show is the week after Mother's Day this year, Saturday May 14 and runs all day. SCC is located at the corner of Mission and Greene. Admission is free, but you will want to buy from all those vendors. Don't miss it.
Whenever there is a break in the weather, I have been trying to finish cleaning up the flowerbeds, patio, etc. One of the chores I don't love is cutting back those groundcovers that hang out onto the lawn. Remember "Green Eggs and Ham" by Dr. Seuss? My version goes like this: That Sam I am, that Sam I am, why did I plant this lamium?
Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. Since then, she has always kept a garden of some sort, growing everything from fruits and vegetables to flowers and house plants. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is an active member of the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls.
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