Spring gardening calendar
These activities can be done on any day of the week — By Ellen Wells, Globe Correspondent
(Yoon S. Byun/Globe Staff)
Weed routinely.
Monday
15
"Sidedress," or sprinkle fertilizer, around your tomato plants.
Tuesday
16
Plant summer annuals around pansies as they fade in summer heat. They'll perk up again in fall.
Wednesday
17
Weed and water routinely.
Thursday
18
Going on vacation? Hook up an automated watering system with drip tubes or soaker hoses to water containers and gardens.
Friday
19
Cover fruit trees and shrubs with netting to keep birds away.
Saturday
20
Create a custom garden path with poured concrete stepping "stones" or simply a path of mulch.
Sunday
21
Father's Day. Replace Dad's old and worn gardening tools.
Today marks the first official day of summer.
These guidelines are all dependent on Mother Nature, of course, and your location. For the Boston area, Zone 6 hardiness puts the last frost date around May 1. For Zone 5, add a week; Zone 4, add two. But that doesn't mean cold nights are gone for good. Keep a careful eye on your local weather forecast to watch for unseasonably cold temperatures. Find your USDA Hardiness Zone at
www.garden.org/zipzone.
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