Family gardening plots available at Legacy Park!

Family gardening plots are now available at Legacy Park (2356 South 1000 West). The Syracuse City hopes many residents, who do not have space in their yards, will take advantage of this opportunity to grow a garden. Applications for plots are available at City Hall in the Community Development Department. Plots are 20’x20’ and cost is $15 per year or two plots for $25.

Thanks for the info Carry!!  ;D

May Garden Tips

ü    Selectively spray for weeds in the garden and landscape.

ü    Direct-sow seeds for vegetable and flowers.

ü    Use mulches (weed fabric, Soil Pep, bark, etc.) to help control weeds and retain moisture.

ü    Use Season Starter plant protectors on tomato and pepper plants.  Hot Caps and frost blankets can also be used on vegetable and flower crops to protect them from frost.

ü    Use tomato cages, stakes and trellis for “vining” flowers and vegetable crops.

ü    Purchase garden gloves, hat, sunscreen and garden tools for the season ahead.

ü    Harden-off seedling transplants before planting outside.

ü    Check operation of pond pumps, filters, sterilizer lights, etc. to make sure everything functions properly.

ü    Drain and clean pond in early May.  Divide any water lilies, iris, etc., that have overgrown their pots.  Repot divisions and fertilize with Aquatic Plant Fertilizer tablets.  Start feeding fish.

ü    Check pine needles for scale (clusters of flat, white, scaly bumps).

ü    Check the ends of spruce trees for budworm (needles will look chewed and webbed together).

ü    Spray spruce trees as new needles emerge with Carbaryl to prevent aphid galls (brown, spiny, pinecone-looking growths on branch tips.)

ü    Check for sign of leaf rollers or leaf miners on leafy trees and shrubs.

ü    Check poplar, birch and green ash trees for borers.  Look for small holes with sawdust coming out of them.  Tree and Shrub Systemic Insect Drench, or spray with Hi-Yield Garden, Pet, Livestock, and Borer spray to help control borers.

ü    Hang Fruit Tree Pest Traps (pheromone traps) in apple trees to detect arrival of codling moth (worms in apples.

ü    Plant trees, shrubs, perennials and hardy annuals.  Most annuals can safely be planted after Memorial Day (average last frost date). 

ü    Plant hybrid tea and hardy shrub roses.

ü    Prune flowering shrubs (such as lilac) after they flower.

ü    Start new lawns now or repair old lawns by over-seeding.

ü    Spray apple and pear trees with Fertilome fire blight spray twice during the blossom period.

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April Garden Tips

April Garden Tips for gardening and landscaping. 

Square-foot gardening is great for the rookie gardener.  You can purchase “Square Foot Gardening” by Mel Bartholomew at Stoker's Nursery.  They also carry the gardening boxes, soil, and seed to get your garden started.

April Garden Tips

ü      Take note of the blooming spring bulbs around you and plan your bulb garden now so you’re ready to plant in the fall.

ü      Plant gladiolas, lilies and dahlias later this month for beautiful summer color.

ü      Transplant, divide and relocate perennials.  Water well after transplanting.

ü      Fertilize established bulbs with SaveATree liquid organic plant food.

ü      Perennials and dormant roses can be planted this month.  Hardy annuals such as petunias and pansies can be planted in late April.

ü      Apply Fertilome Rose Food w/ Systemic insecticide to roses.

ü      Plant dormant potted and bare root trees and shrubs.  Fertilize trees and shrubs with Fertilome Tree and Shrub Food or SaveATree.

ü      Use Acecap Systemic Implants to help prevent borer damage in aspens, ash and other trees.

ü      Spray quaking aspens with Fertilome Systemic Fungicide to prevent fungal leaf spot.  Spray when leaves are about the size of a dime.

ü      Check poplar, birch and green ash trees for borers.  Look for small holes with sawdust coming out of them.  Use Acecap Systemic Implants or spray with HiYield Garden, Pet, Livestock and Borer Spray.

ü      Prune most trees and shrubs (birch and maple should be pruned in late summer or fall).

ü      Rototill your garden plots and amend soil with Soil Pep, Peat Moss, Cocoa Peat or compost.

ü      Tomatoes and peppers can be planted by mid-month if Wall-O-Water or Aqua Domes are used to protect them from frost.

ü      Peas, carrots, spinach and most other root and leaf crops can be seeded outside in late April.

ü      Remove mulch and protective covering placed on plants (including roses) for winter protection last fall.

ü      Spray apple and pear trees with Fertilome Fire Blight Spray twice during the blossom period.

ü      Start new laws or repair old lawns by over seeding.

ü      Apply Natural Guard Soil Activator (humates) to help decompose thatch and “green up” your lawn.

ü      Spray dandelions in late April before they start to bloom.