Lakes And Rivers

Flower & Garden Magazine, June, 1999 by Denise Cerny

Water conservation is a key summer issue for Lakes and Rivers gardeners, especially in the vegetable garden. In early June be sure to lay down mulch below the vining crops, including cucumbers, pumpkins and squash. Although their leaves will eventually shade out the weeds, the mulches help retain soil moisture.

Mulching beneath tomatoes, eggplants and peppers is also recommended and may lead to larger fruit. Put tomato cages in place early, and disinfect them first if they've been exposed to disease in the past.

Also in the vegetable garden, root crops such as onions and carrots are sensitive to weed competition and overcrowding. Thin root crops by early June to avoid disfigurement.

In many cases, blackspot on roses may be controlled organically by spraying a solution of 1 tablespoon of baking soda dissolved in water. Coat rose leaves thoroughly and repeat every seven to 10 days.

Hopefully you're growing the 1999 Perennial Plant Association's flower of the year: Rudbeckia `Goldsturm,' which is the mainstay rudbeckia cultivar. It often goes by the common name black-eyed Susan.

Rudbeckia blooms nonstop from early July into the first frosts, provided things don't get too dry. Given a few years, it will spread into wonderful waves of golden yellow color.

`Goldsturm' is a wonderful complement to ornamental grasses, New England asters, Sedum `Autumn Joy' and purple coneflower. Its midrange size makes a good transition between evergreen shrubbery or burning bushes and front border perennials and annuals.