Riverside County Master Gardeners

Gardening Tips for May

Set out traps for earwigs, slugs, and whitefly.
Thin pit fruits at or before pit hardening.
Thin apples when ½” diameter.
Mow grass or cultivate soil around orchard to discourage thrips and plant bugs.
Mulch around plants to control weeds and conserve moisture. Be sure to leave a small circle of bare soil around the base of each plant.
Deep water trees and shrubs. Build water basins, but do not allow water to stand against the trunks.
Prepare dahlia bed with rich soil.
For continued bloom, cut off spent flowers.
Hang strips of foil or CD’s in fruit trees to help deter birds.
As spring=flowering shrubs finish blooming, prune to shape, removing old and dead wood.
Trim hedges; lightly trim azaleas, fuchsias, bushier plants.
Thoroughly clean debris from ponds, fountains and bird baths.

Riverside County Master Gardeners are here to answer your gardening questions!

And Indio Master Gardeners are here to answer your gardening questions!

Either Office - Bring a sample for identification, or drop by to ask questions. If you bring a sample, please put plant material in a plastic bag.