What to do in your garden in May - Checklist: Northern California

Sunset, May, 2003

PLANNING

* BULBS ON SALE. To get the best prices, order your fall bulbs during preseason catalog bulb sales, starting now and lasting until mid-August. Look for Brent and Becky's Bulbs (www.brentandbeckysbulbs.com or 800/845-3369).

* GIFT FOR MOM. A beautiful blooming plant can bring any mother joy long after Mother's Day has passed. Some choices include azalea, calla, hydrangea, miniature rose, moth orchid, Oriental lily, tulip, and 'Wonder Bells Blue' double campanula.

PLANTING

* FLOWERS FOR CUTTING. Long-blooming perennials provide a good source of cut flowers. Try alstroemeria, coreopsis, gaillardia, gloriosa daisy, lavender, Limonium perezii, Mexican sunflower, purple cone-flower, scabiosa, Shasta daisy, and yarrow (Achillea).

* JAPANESE MAPLES. Specialty maple nurseries carry many common and unusual varieties. The following three Northern California nurseries are good sources: Marca Dickie Nursery, Boyes Hot Springs (800/990-0364, open by appointment only); Mountain Maples, Laytonville (www.mountainmaples.com or 888/707-6522, open by appointment only; mail-order catalog free, ships Sep-May); Wildwood Farm Nursery and Sculpture Garden, Kenwood (888/833-4181).

* PLANT FOR PERMANENCE. Now is a good time to plant almost any perennial, shrub, tree, or vine (in Sunset climate zones 1 and 2, wait until after the last frost to set out tender plants). When shopping at the nursery, look for plants that have good leaf color (Green leaves should bea deep green, not pale and yellowish) and attractive form. Check container bottoms to make sure roots aren't growing out of them (which may mean plants are rootbound). Plants should also be well watered.

* VEGETABLES. It's not too late to set out plants of cucumber, eggplant, peppers, tomatoes, and squash. For pumpkins by Halloween, sow seeds now. Try 'Cinderella's Carriage' from Renee's Garden (seeds available at nurseries or online from www.reneesgardern.com) or 2- to 3-inch-wide 'Jack Be Little' and ivory white 'Baby Boo' from Ornamental Edibles (www.ornamentabledibles.com or408/929-7333).

* WATERMELON. Summer's favorite melon is healthier than you may think. USDA researchers found that it contains on average about 40 percent more lycopene (an antioxidant associated with reduced risk of certain cancers) than raw tomatoes. It's also fat free and contains vitamins A, [B.sub.6], C, and thiamin. The best indicator of a nutritious watermelon is red, ripe flesh. Seedless watermelons tend to contain more lycopene than seeded varieties. Though not specifically tested for lycopene content, two seedless varieties to try from Park Seek (www.parkseed.com or 800/845-3369) are 'Everglade' and 'Sweetheart'.

MAINTENANCE

* AERATE LAWNS. If your lawn gets a lot of use and has compacted soil, aerate it to help improve air and water movement to the roots. You can rent an aerator from an equipment supply store (look in the yellow pages under "Rental Service Stores & Yards"). Rake up the cores and top-dress with mulch. If you haven't fertilized recently, apply a lawn fertilizer and water in well.

RELATED ARTICLE: Plant corn in blocks

Corn plants carry both male and female flowers. The male flowers are on the tassels at the top of the plant; the female flowers form the silk that hangs out of the developing ears. In order for ears to produce a full set of kernels, wind must distribute pollen to all of them. To ensure good pollination, plant corn in blocks of no fewer than 16 plants (four rows of four plants). Plant seeds at least 12 inches apart in rows spaced 3 feet apart.