The Milwaukee Post

After a feverish month of exhausting but rewarding work, most of us have our gardens shaped up and growing. Now what? What can we do to ensure that our gardens are successful? It's also an impor- tant time to look around and reflect on what has been accomplished or can be improved. What should we be doing to keep our gardens looking their best? It seems everyone hates weeding but it's a necessi- ty. It not only makes our gardens look more attractive, it helps fight off insects and disease. If done correctly, and not per- ceived as a chore, it's really not that bad. First, if you do a little weeding every day, 5 to 10 minutes, it doesn't seem like work at all. Also, if you just take the time to soak in the beauty and tranquility around you, it's quite relaxing. It's a great time for contemplation. Weeding also makes you spend time in your garden. Why is this good? It helps us keep an eye on our plants and confront any problems that may occur. This is called scouting. Whether you see insects chewing on a plant, spots developing on leaves, broken branches, plants getting too large for their spot or just eyeing up a plant that doesn't look healthy, it's better to catch it early and take care of the prob- lem before it worsens. Sometimes it can be as simple as a plant needing more fertiliz- er or a little care. This is also a great time to look around and see if your gardens are performing the way you intended. Are you lacking color somewhere? Is this particular bed to crowded? Have some of the plants become overgrown? Is there still space left in the vegetable garden? Now is a great time to correct things. If you're lacking color somewhere, head to a garden center and pick up some annu- als or flowering perennials for a quick fix. Annuals are great additions for those areas that need immediate color without taking up permanent space. If you have room for something permanent, maybe choose a flowering perennial to fit your needs. Maybe you've noticed a bed that is becoming crowded or overgrown. Take notes of the problem areas so you can rec- tify the problems either in the fall or next spring. I usually don't recommend moving plants around in the summer because of stress. I also don't recommend a lot of summer pruning on trees and shrubs; it opens up wounds to insects and disease, but perennials can be maintained as need- ed to encourage health and re-bloom. Also take a look at the vegetable garden. Is there room for more or do you want to start a second crop of something? Most garden centers have some pretty good sales on remaining vegetables at this time. In the last article I talked about intercropping in the vegetable garden; here's a great time to fill those open spaces and make the most of your grow- ing space. Summer is not only garden mainte- nance, although important, but is also a time of contemplation and review to improve your overall gardening goals. So, get out there and spend some time in your gardens. Happy gardening! (Michael Timm is a horticulturist with Ebert's Greenhouse Village in Ixonia.) HOME The gardens are long in — now what? MICHAEL TIMM Michael Timm Once the garden is planted, don't forget to enjoy the view provided by your labor, such as these yel- low German irises. 14 • Milwaukee County Post • July 7, 2017 Please Call if you M O V E D ! at 414-744-6370 Leave a Message Name • Phone # Old Address & New Address & Apt. # or Lot # We Love Our Readers Thank You Milwaukee Co. Post Lighting the Way to Affordable Assisted Living We are compassionately lighting the way in senior care with respect for independence and affordability. The Lamplight Inn of West Allis 7400 West Greenfield Ave. West Allis, WI 53214 (414) 476-3900 Assisted Living & Memory Care Community 256149001H www.prioritylc.com Looking for an Outgoing & Talented Individual to Join Our Extraordinary Team!

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