The Heat is On!
When rain is scarce, vegetables and anything planted this spring will need water. Established plants may also need to be watered during periods of drought. Water in the morning to avoid evaporation, and avoid getting foliage wet; watering at the root zone helps prevent fungal diseases.
Most of your planting and transplanting should be finished. The heat easily stresses new plantings (even drought-tolerant ones) so be sure to monitor and water regularly. Avoid overwatering by feeling the soil at the plant root zone. If it’s dry, it’s time to water again.
Pollinators have arrived! Butterflies and moths are busy laying eggs. Don’t forget that butterflies start out as eggs, then grow into caterpillars. Don’t use pesticides unless absolutely necessary—they often kill non-target insects, including our native bees and the caterpillars of many of our favorite moths and butterflies. (Photo credit: “Black Swallowtail egg 20120610” by Kenneth Cole Schneider is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
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