May 2020 Garden Tips Pt 1

Dear Gardening Friends, 
I’m so glad April will be over and am hoping May will be more hospitable for garden work. It seems to me I got more done in the garden in March than April. Maybe March was really April and April was March. At least it seemed that way.
 
News about my plant sale and a Master Gardener opportunity are at the end of these tips.
 
Hard to believe but we still must be patient as the soil is cold and wet. The following are some tips for May:
 
One big issue that requires patience is waiting until your perennials come up before walking in the beds or starting to dig. Unless you know exactly where every perennial is, it is safer to wait until they show up. It is so tempting to step into a bed to get at that weed but resist! I have crushed crowns of plants with my feet and/or dug into them by not waiting to see where they are.
 
If your soil is workable (not so wet that it forms a clump in your hand) you can transplant perennials that are already in your garden. They are acclimated to the weather and should be fine.
 
It’s way too soon to put out any nursery grown perennials or annuals. Our nights continue to be well below 50. Plants from greenhouses haven’t been acclimated to outside temperatures. If the cooler weather continues it may be the end of May before it’s safe to put out tender annuals.
       
 Weeding should be a priority. There are a few weeds to watch out for that are starting to bloom now.
 
-          Lesser celandine is another weed that is in full bloom now. This is an extremely invasive plant that unfortunately is very pretty. It’s a short (2-3 inch) ground cover with heart shaped waxy green leaves and bright yellow flowers. It dies in back in early summer like a tulip or daffodil so you must weed them out now before you can no longer see them. These do not pull up easily, so you must be sure to dig out all the roots and the very small bulbs at the end of the roots. Luckily, they are in bloom so will be easy to find. For more information and pictures go to:http://www.nyis.info/index.php?action=invasive_detail&id=71
 
 Lessons from Nature and Amanda’s Garden Annual Native and Perennial Plant Sale.
 
            Many of you have inquired about our annual plant sale. Obviously, we won’t be able to have our regular plant sale due to the covid 19 restrictions. Instead we will both be having a sale by pre-order and pre-pay with pick up the week of May 25-30.
 
            I will send out a list of available plants the second week of May. All orders will be first come first served. I will indicate which plants I have a lot of and which ones only a few. Prices vary according to the size of the division so I will include price ranges as well. Email me your order and I will let you know the cost. Then you can mail me a check and I will prepare your order. ALL ORDERS MUST BE PRE-PAID.
 Plants from Amanda’s Garden can be ordered by email or phone:You can check the website for plant lists:  www.amandasnativeplants.com
ellen@amandasnativeplants.com
(585)750-6288
 
Amanda's Garden Native Perennial Nursery specializes in locally grown  native plants for woodlands, meadows and wetlands. These will also be available for pick up at the same week here at my home in E Aurora. Order by checking plants on Amanda's Garden website and email your order.  Ellen will email you an invoice for pre-paying.
 
All my plants are dug fresh from my garden and those from Amanda’s Garden are started from seed by Ellen. Foltz, the owner. I will also have a selection of hypertufa containers, draped concrete planters and birdbaths.
 Master Gardener Online Garden Fence ChatsGet Ready for Spring!Join our CCE Erie Master Gardener hotline volunteers as we host virtual hotline hours or ‘Garden Fence Chats’ Monday –Friday via Zoom from 10:00 am to noon.

REGISTER FOR GARDEN FENCE CHATS HERE:
  
https://cornell.zoom.us/meeting/register/vpYvcu6trTspMthpDqjMUzrOiSoFqWp1eQ?fbclid=IwAR3qWjL-oua5i7Sjqm6y6lXaanBXl1inS_GOQu3wfjUjA0KaGwZSTrsvGdU

This will be an opportunity to chat with Master Gardener hotline volunteers real time and share your gardening questions either by phone or the computer. 

We will open each day with a short 10-15 minute presentation covering a timely topic or frequently asked question and then keep the line open for people to call-in or virtually stop-by with questions. Come hear from your garden friends what is happening in their gardens and what they are learning.

Our Garden Fence Chat space will be staffed by Master Gardener volunteers and our Consumer Horticulture Educator
 
Garden Consults: Done at a safe distance with masks.
A Garden Consult can help identify plants, problems, and improve your garden and gardening practices. This will save you time and money.
           
Happy Gardening!