Summer gardening calendar
These activities can be done on any day of the week — By Ellen Wells, Globe Correspondent
(Jonathan Wiggs/Globe Staff)
Harvest veggies in the early morning.
Monday
18
Remove bugs by hand. Keeping garden clear of debris helps increase air flow and prevent diseases.
Tuesday
19
So called "ever-bearing" strawberries will produce fruit all summer.
Today marks the first official day of summer.
Wednesday
20
Summer solstice. Control mildew on lilacs, squash, bee balm, zinnias, and phlox with a natural fungicide.
Thursday
21
Learn how to brew your own compost tea to use as garden fertilizer.
Friday
22
Prune garden mums and sedum for late-summer blooms.
Saturday
23
Harvest veggies in the early morning when sugar content is highest.
Sunday
24
Buy a rain barrel to collect water from roofs and gutters for use in the garden.
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.
Related
Blog
what to do in the garden
By Carol Stocker...I will be on line live this Friday from 1-2 p.m. to answer you gardening questions.Memorial Day Weekend is the traditional weekend for...
More gardening features