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Date Day number Days remaining Week number Garden-01Jan a good month to plant beets, carrots, radishes, turnips, mustard, spinach, kale, Irish potatoes, Swiss chard and kohlrabi. Some vegetables can be planted as seed in cold frames, hot beds or greenhouses for transplanting to your garden later. These include broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Chinese cabbage and lettuce. In south Louisiana you also can plant tomatoes, eggplants and bell peppers in hot beds or a greenhouse during January. If you like gladiolus, late January and February are good times to plant them. Glads will withstand frost and light freezes, and they profit from an early planting because they will be ahead of the summer heat when they bloom. By January, houseplants need a little change in their environment, such as more light and humidity. If a nice sunny warm day comes along, set the plants under indirect sunlight on the porch or patio. The yellowing of houseplant leaves is fairly common in winter. Possible causes are poor drainage, over-watering, gas fumes, poor light, lack of plant food or a combination of these problems. Late January and all of February are good times to plant roses in south Louisiana. If you already have some roses planted and growing, you can prune them in late January through mid-February. If you prune roses earlier than this, they become more vulnerable to cold weather damage. January is the time to prune evergreens and summer flowering shrubs and trees. Do not prune spring blooming plants such as azalea and quince -- you could be cutting off potential blossoms. As you prune plants, try not to butcher them. Maintain the natural plant form. Make clean, even cuts and leave as few stubs as possible. Thin the bushy plants from within. JAN 01 Day 1 364 Week 1 Quadrantids-nite 1-5th JAN 02 Day 2 363 Week 1 JAN 03 Day 3 362 Week 1 JAN 04 Day 4 361 Week 1 JAN 05 Day 5 360 Week 1 JAN 06 Day 6 359 Week 1 JAN 07 Day 7 358 Week 2 JAN 08 Day 8 357 Week 2 JAN 09 Day 9 356 Week 2 JAN 10 Day 10 355 Week 2 JAN 11 Day 11 354 Week 2 JAN 12 Day 12 353 Week 2 JAN 13 Day 13 352 Week 2 JAN 14 Day 14 351 Week 3 JAN 15 Day 15 350 Week 3 Note: sun currently transits constellation Capricorn from ~ Jan 15- Feb 14 earth sign, introvert sign,[1] and one of the four cardinal signs. JAN 16 Day 16 349 Week 3 JAN 17 Day 17 348 Week 3 JAN 18 Day 18 347 Week 3 JAN 19 Day 19 346 Week 3 Capricorn--Goat Ends 19 or 20th JAN 20 Day 20 345 Week 3 Date Avg low <50 begins , Aquarius--Water Bearer Begins [~Jan 20-Feb 19], JAN 21 Day 21 344 Week 4 JAN 22 Day 22 343 Week 4 J & B Annv 91 JAN 23 Day 23 342 Week 4 JAN 24 Day 24 341 Week 4 JAN 25 Day 25 340 Week 4 JAN 26 Day 26 339 Week 4 JAN 27 Day 27 338 Week 4 JAN 28 Day 28 337 Week 5 JAN 29 Day 29 336 Week 5 JAN 30 Day 30 335 Week 5 JAN 31 Day 31 334 Week 5 Imbolic Disabot 31 Jan–1 Feb midway between winter solstice (Yule)-spring equinox (Ostara), cross-quarter day Garden-02Feb You can plant beets, carrots, turnips, mustard, spinach, parsley, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, radishes, Irish potatoes, leaf lettuce, head lettuce (1st of month), snap beans and corn in the extreme southern part of the state. Also, you can transplant broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, head lettuce, and shallots. Growing Irish potatoes is very popular in Louisiana. You should finish planting your potatoes in south Louisiana by about February 15. If you're planning to plant tomatoes this spring, you can plant tomato seeds in a greenhouse or in hotbeds all through this month. Tomatoes require about six to eight weeks from seeding until they reach transplant size. Eggplants and bell peppers require eight to 10 weeks of growth. If you're considering planting a pecan tree or two, you should do it by late February. The dormant season for pecan trees ends in early March, and trees must be set out before the growing begins. Container-grown pecan trees may be planted on into spring as long as temperatures remain cool. If you already have one or two pecan trees in your yard and want them to produce, you should fertilize them. Contact the county agent in your parish office of the Louisiana Cooperative Extension Service and ask for a copy of the pecan pamphlet, number 1727. This publication gives specific instructions about fertilizing individual pecan trees. Late February to early March is an ideal time to fertilize the fruit plants in your home orchard. Applying fertilizer every year is critical to maintaining healthy, productive fruit trees and plants. Here are a few other things you may want to do in February if you grow fruit. You can plant blackberry root cuttings, check strawberry plants for spider mites, plant container-grown citrus trees, collect fig cuttings and add mulch to rabbiteye blueberry plants. Late January and all of February are good times to plant roses in south Louisiana. If you already have some roses planted and growing, you can prune them in late January through mid-February. If you prune roses earlier than this, they become more vulnerable to cold weather damage. If you like gladiolus, late January and February are good times to plant them. Glads will withstand frost and light freezes, and they profit from an early planting because they will be ahead of the summer heat when they bloom. This time of year it's not unusual to begin thinking about the warmer days of spring and the things you will be doing outside. But, you don't have to wait until then to work in your garden. In south Louisiana you can plant gladiolus from the latter days of January through the first week to 10 days of February. You can prolong the blooming season of glads by planting a few corms each week until about the middle of March, but not after that. Also, if you want early flowers, seed annuals in boxes and keep them indoors. February is a good time to fertilize healthy trees. Remember, it's best to put the fertilizer in holes in the soil. Fertilize trees once every three years with 40 pounds of 8-8-8 per 1,000 square feet of canopy area or one to two pounds of 8-8-8 per inch of trunk diameter. Shrubs should be fertilized with about a quarter of a pound of a balanced fertilizer for every square yard of area covered by the spread of the plant. You can delay fertilizing your shrubs until March. Fertilize azaleas directly after blooming. Feb 01 Day 32 333 Week 5 Feb 02 Day 33 332 Week 5 Feb 03 Day 34 331 Week 5 Feb 04 Day 35 330 Week 6 Plt Tomato seed for transplt Feb 4-Mar 22 Feb 05 Day 36 329 Week 6 Feb 06 Day 37 328 Week 6 Feb 07 Day 38 327 Week 6 Feb 08 Day 39 326 Week 6 Feb 09 Day 40 325 Week 6 Feb 10 Day 41 324 Week 6 Feb 11 Day 42 323 Week 7 Pecan Maint Feb 12 Day 43 322 Week 7 Feb 13 Day 44 321 Week 7 Feb 14 Day 45 320 Week 7 Feb 15 Day 46 319 Week 7 Plant Lettuce leaf 55d - head 70 days to harvest Feb 16 Day 47 318 Week 7 Feb 17 Day 48 317 Week 7 Feb 18 Day 49 316 Week 8 Pisces--Fishes Begins [18 February – 20 March (2013, UTC)] , Aquarius--Water Bearer Ends [~Jan 20-Feb 19], Feb 19 Day 50 315 Week 8 Feb 19-23 Spring Vernal equinox cognate Anglo-Saxon Eostre 'Easter', Earth's equator plane passes center Sun,tilt Earth's axis inclined neither away nor towards Sun. Feb 20 Day 51 314 Week 8 Date Average low <50 , Feb 21 Day 52 313 Week 8 Feb 22 Day 53 312 Week 8 Feb 23 Day 54 311 Week 8 Feb 24 Day 55 310 Week 8 Feb 25 Day 56 309 Week 9 Feb 26 Day 57 308 Week 9 Prob Conception 1951 Feb 27 Day 58 307 Week 9 Feb 28 Day 59 306 Week 9 Garden-03Mar All March plant snap beans, Swiss chard, collards, sweet corn. transplant tomatoes, peppers , eggplant. Late March plant cucumbers, lima , butter beans, cantaloupe, okra, southern peas, pumpkin, squash, peanuts . watermelon. Tomato varieties for La. Celebrity, Champion, Monte Carlo, Creole, Pelican, Jet Star, Better Boy, Fantastic, Terrific . Floramerica Newer hybrids: Mountain Delight, Mountain Pride and Empire. Try Pink Girl for pink fruit . Good canning varieties : Royal, Chico, Whirlaway .Roma. Landscape gardening Finish your shrub-tree planting in March so the plants become well established before the summer heat moves in. Don't buy / set out more plants than you have time to care for -- they will suffer for it during the summer. Proper planting and bed preparation are critical. If you didn't get around to pruning your spring flowering and evergreen shrubs during February, do it in early March. However, be sure to prune spring flowering shrubs after they have bloomed. These include spiraea, azalea, camellia, forsythia, jasmine, mock orange and flowering quince. Early March is the ideal time to fertilize landscape plants because you give them food just before the spring growing season starts. Buy your fertilizers on the basis of what your plants need, not on the basis of pressure claims, advertising or the color of the product. Slow release fertilizers are best. If you have roses, you'll need to start a regular spray program as soon as the plants begin to produce leaves. If you allow black spot disease to set in, you'll find it quite difficult to control. You can help prevent disease problems by keeping a fungicide on the foliage at all times. Effective fungicides are sold under various brand names. Look for brands that contain chlorothalonil, captan, fixed coppers, mancozeb, maneb, triforine or benomyl. Alternate these chemicals every week or week and a half. March also is a good time to divide and transplant mums, ajuga, liriope, daylily and shasta daisy. Mar 01 Day 60 305 Week 9 Tomato seeds in grd 10-14 days pre last frost date Mar 02 Day 61 304 Week 9 Mar 03 Day 62 303 Week 9 Likely receive frost Dec 3-March 3 , May begin direct planting Very frost hardy vegs Mar 04 Day 63 302 Week 10 ok Tomato seeds in ground 10-14 days pre last frost date Mar 05 Day 64 301 Week 10 Mar 06 Day 65 300 Week 10 Mar 07 Day 66 299 Week 10 Latest Record Low Spring >24° Mar 08 Day 67 298 Week 10 Mar 09 Day 68 297 Week 10 Mar 10 Day 69 296 Week 10 Mar 11 Day 70 295 Week 11 Mar 12 Day 71 294 Week 11 Mar 13 Day 72 293 Week 11 Mar 14 Day 73 292 Week 11 Latest Record Low Spring <20 Mar 15 Day 74 291 Week 11 avg Last Killing Frost, Little risk to Plant Somewhat frost hardy p this date (survive low as 28) Lettuce,Arugula,Chard,Escarole,Endive,Cabbage,Nicotiana, Mar 16 Day 75 290 Week 11 Mar 17 Day 76 289 Week 11 Feast of Saint Patrick patron saint of Ireland. Mar 18 Day 77 288 Week 12 Mar 19 Day 78 287 Week 12 Mar 19-22 Eostre [Easter] or Ôstara Germanic pagan 'Spring-like fertility goddess' Mar 20 Day 79 286 Week 12 Latest Record Low Spring >28° Mar 21 Day 80 285 Week 12 50% prob frost free after Mar 21 , Good Friday Mar 21 - Apr 21 Mar 22 Day 81 284 Week 12 50% probability of frost free after March 21 (TYLERTOWN) , Aries- Ram Starts Mar 23 Day 82 283 Week 12 Easter Falls Mar 23 - Apr 23, Mar 24 Day 83 282 Week 12 Mar 25 Day 84 281 Week 13 Mar 26 Day 85 280 Week 13 Mar 27 Day 86 279 Week 13 Mar 28 Day 87 278 Week 13 Mar 29 Day 88 277 Week 13 Mar 30 Day 89 276 Week 13 Mar 31 Day 90 275 Week 13 Garden-04Apr Plant snap beans, lima beans[butter beans], collards, cucumbers, eggplants, cantaloupes, okra, southern peas, pepper transplants, peanuts, pumpkin, winter squash, summer squash, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes and watermelon. Last chance to apply dormant oils on outdoor plants & control scale insects. Use on camellia, hollies, variegated privet, magnolias and gardenias. Oil sprays safe only when if temperature is below 85 degrees. If missed, Apply them late October or early November. Horticultural oils or summer oils are safer during time of year warm weather prevails. Prepare hanging baskets. Many plants grow well & look good in baskets, but ferns most highly prized,variety of shapes and sizes. Plant annual bedding plants as soon as the frost danger has passed. OR start your seeds indoors earlier in the month for earlier blooms. Lantana and verbena are excellent perennial to add. Make cuttings of plants kept inside over winter, such as begonias, sultana and coleus. Divide old, large clumps of chrysanthemums or end up with weak, spindly growth with few flowers. Prune spring flowering shrubs : spirea, flowering quince, azalea, jasmine , forsythia after bloomed. Fertilize shrubs, too. For healthy roses plan a regular preventive spray schedule every 7-10 days Spray roses with a fungicide BEFORE disease organisms attack, as blackspot.Keep a protective covering at all times throughout the season. Select old garden or antique roses if you want to minimize maintenance. Apr 01 Day 91 274 Week 14 Apr 02 Day 92 273 Week 14 Apr 03 Day 93 272 Week 14 Apr 04 Day 94 271 Week 14 Apr 05 Day 95 270 Week 14 Apr 06 Day 96 269 Week 14 Apr 07 Day 97 268 Week 14 Apr 08 Day 98 267 Week 15 Last Frost near 100% prob. , Latest Record Low Spring >32° , Avg Start frost-free for 239 day grow period. [Apr 8 - Dec 3] Apr 09 Day 99 266 Week 15 Apr 10 Day 100 265 Week 15 Apr 11 Day 101 264 Week 15 Loose Lettuce Harvest begins Apr 12 Day 102 263 Week 15 Apr 13 Day 103 262 Week 15 Apr 14 Day 104 261 Week 15 Apr 15 Day 105 260 Week 16 Apr 16 Day 106 259 Week 16 Apr 17 Day 107 258 Week 16 Apr 18 Day 108 257 Week 16 Latest frost on record Apr 19 Day 109 256 Week 16 Aries-Ram Ends Apr 20 Day 110 255 Week 16 Taurus--Bull Begins Apr 21 Day 111 254 Week 16 Apr 22 Day 112 253 Week 17 ~ Lyrids Apr 23 Day 113 252 Week 17 St George's Day patron saint of England ,celebrated death day Apr 24 Day 114 251 Week 17 Apr 25 Day 115 250 Week 17 Apr 26 Day 116 249 Week 17 early Head Luttuce ready Apr 27 Day 117 248 Week 17 Apr 28 Day 118 247 Week 17 Apr 29 Day 119 246 Week 18 Apr 30 Day 120 245 Week 18 Garden-05May Timing is critical late planting subjects to heat damage. Plant 1st part Month: bush snap beans, lima beans, sweet corn and hot peppers. All Month: sweet potato transplants, okra, southern peas, pumpkins, peanuts, watermelons, cucumbers, cantaloupes, collards, squash and eggplants. Plants that thrive on high temperatures: okra, southern peas, hot peppers, eggplants[ especially green]. Cherry, plum or small fruited type tomatoes. Plant several summer annuals and perennials either from seed or as young plants. Grow plants that can handle our summer climate of intense heat and high humidity Gloriosa Daisy, like a black-eyed Susan. Daylilies will bloom some into fall, variety dependent. Periwinkle [vinca] annual gives white or lavender blooms all summer and into fall. Pink and rose colors available. Cockscomb[celosia]colorful & long lasting in yellow, reds and oranges. Zinnia, either dwarf or large ,will bloom heavily if cut often. Plants that withstand summer heat: marigolds,geraniums,cosmos,copper plant,croton,wandering Jew,coleus,canna,portulaca,alternanthera,flowering tobacco,shrimp plant, plumbago,lantana,snow-on-the-mountain,perennial verbenas,salvias,butterfly bush,butterfly weed,balsam, cleome, caster bean, dwarf dahlia, four-o-clock, impatiens, moon flower, moonvine, morning glory and sunflower. Bulbs & bulb-like plants: caladium, canna, crinum, hemerocallis, lycoris, water lily and zephyranthes. Spring usually provides sufficient water, but not in summer. Water as a good soaking,not an occasional sprinkling. May 01 Day 121 244 Week 18 Mayday or Beltane Apr 30 or May 1 .Traditionally 1st day summer earliest celebrations appeared pre-Christian times May 02 Day 122 243 Week 18 May 03 Day 123 242 Week 18 May 04 Day 124 241 Week 18 May 05 Day 125 240 Week 18 Eta Aquarids Meteor Shower. 10/hour at peak ~ May 5 or 6, some meteors April 21 - May 12. May 06 Day 126 239 Week 19 May 07 Day 127 238 Week 19 May 08 Day 128 237 Week 19 May 09 Day 129 236 Week 19 May 10 Day 130 235 Week 19 May 11 Day 131 234 Week 19 May 12 Day 132 233 Week 19 May 13 Day 133 232 Week 20 May 14 Day 134 231 Week 20 May 15 Day 135 230 Week 20 May 16 Day 136 229 Week 20 May 17 Day 137 228 Week 20 May 18 Day 138 227 Week 20 May 19 Day 139 226 Week 20 May 20 Day 140 225 Week 21 Taurus--Bull Ends May 21 Day 141 224 Week 21 Gemini-Twins Begins May 22 Day 142 223 Week 21 May 23 Day 143 222 Week 21 May 24 Day 144 221 Week 21 May 25 Day 145 220 Week 21 May 26 Day 146 219 Week 21 May 27 Day 147 218 Week 22 May 28 Day 148 217 Week 22 May 29 Day 149 216 Week 22 May 30 Day 150 215 Week 22 May 31 Day 151 214 Week 22 Garden-06Jun Plant: southern peas, squash, cucumbers, peanuts, okra, pumpkins, collards, watermelons. Transplant sweet potato Day & night high temperatures decrease pollination & fruit setting. Snap beans & lima beans drop their flowers readily. Squash produces mostly male flowers,so few fruit. Tomatoes & bell peppers set few fruit. Hot peppers are less sensitive. Plant tomato & pepper seed for fall. Plant fall garden tomato seeds by mid-June. 4-5 weeks from seeds to produce transplants. Grow in open to acclimated to hot temps. Fall varieties [Bingo,Whirlaway,Heat Wave,Solar Set or Older varieties Pelican, Floradel, Hawaiian N-65 or even Celebrity & Mountain Pride] Blossom-end rot is common problem on fruit of producing tomatoes in June. Symptoms: dark brown, leathery scars or rot on the bottom of the tomato. Reduce blossom-end rot problem water soil before it dries, mulching it keeps the soil evenly moist. Watering new plants is top priority in dry weather, water often & thoroughly [soak] Not frequent light sprinklings. Annuals-perennials to plant: scaevola (fan flower), perennial verbena, coleus, cockscomb, lantana. Annuals planted last month should during June. Fertilize with 8-8-8 mixture,@ rate 1/2 cup/square yard bed area. Remove old blossoms often, as seed forming annuals stop blooming. Water well as needed. Avoid overhead irrigation. Control pests: Orthene for most problems. Use Sevin for leaf-eating insects, Malathion for leaf-sucking insects. Use the insecticide plus fungicide Funginex for powdery mildew Spray roses with Orthinex every 7-10 days to control black spot & insects. In summer, camellias and azaleas form flower buds, so care during June and rest of summer. Don't prune them after mid-June. A lack of water, plant food, or too many damaging pests can reduce next year's blossoms. Put houseplants outdoors in shaded areas. Jun 01 Day 152 213 Week 22 Jun 02 Day 153 212 Week 22 Jun 03 Day 154 211 Week 23 Jun 04 Day 155 210 Week 23 Jun 05 Day 156 209 Week 23 Jun 06 Day 157 208 Week 23 Jun 07 Day 158 207 Week 23 Jun 08 Day 159 206 Week 23 Jun 09 Day 160 205 Week 23 Jun 10 Day 161 204 Week 24 Jun 11 Day 162 203 Week 24 Jun 12 Day 163 202 Week 24 Jun 13 Day 164 201 Week 24 Jun 14 Day 165 200 Week 24 Jun 15 Day 166 199 Week 24 Jun 16 Day 167 198 Week 24 Jun 17 Day 168 197 Week 25 Jun 18 Day 169 196 Week 25 Jun 19 Day 170 195 Week 25 MidSummer (Litha) Jun 19-23 turning point at which summer reaches its height and the sun shines longest Jun 20 Day 171 194 Week 25 Summer [Northern]solstice Jun 19-23 either longest day yr (north tropic of cancer) or shortest day yr (south tropic of capricorn) MidSummer Jun 21 Day 172 193 Week 25 Summer Solstice highest point sun in the sky, Longest day of the year, first day of summer. Gemini-Twins Ends. Jun 22 Day 173 192 Week 25 Cancer--Crab Begins , Pablo 6-25-04 Jun 23 Day 174 191 Week 25 Jun 24 Day 175 190 Week 26 Monkey Grass Blooms-purple Jun 25 Day 176 189 Week 26 Jun 26 Day 177 188 Week 26 Jun 27 Day 178 187 Week 26 Jun 28 Day 179 186 Week 26 Jun 29 Day 180 185 Week 26 Jun 30 Day 181 184 Week 26 Garden-07Jul Plant: Early July okra, tomato seeds or plants, Southern peas, squash, cucumbers, cantaloupes, collards. Late July start broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, cabbage and Chinese cabbage seeds. Transplant fall bell peppers. Put potted plants outdoors in shade for July [Water every 1-2 days]. If in full sun NEED daily water. July's part of main potted plants growing season, so fertilize every 1-2 wks with dilute water soluble fertilizer as directed. Any last year planted trees-shrubs,Summer is critical time. Soak weekly, if < 1" rain. Dig and divide your irises if finished blooming & foliage is dying. Both Japanese or Siberian irises extend the blooming period. Check for new varieties of Louisiana iris. Hot months are best times to set out new palms. Larger palms are more likely to survive winter[choose larger plants if possible]. windmill, Mediterranean fan, Canary Island date, Jelly palms are good Louisiana outdoor palms Set out shrimp plant, chrysanthemum, croton, alternanthera, flowering tobacco, plumbago, other bedding plants. Plant salvia [scarlet sage] for fall beauty. Lovely red, blue, white, pink of salvia complement these late bloomers: chrysanthemums, marigolds and zinnias. Grows up to 3 ft. Good flower beds backgrounds for short plants. Several colors of dwarf varieties exist that max out around 18". [Try 2-color salvia "Strata" blue & white] Jul 01 Day 182 183 Week 27 Jul 02 Day 183 182 Week 27 Jul 03 Day 184 181 Week 27 Jul 04 Day 185 180 Week 27 Jul 05 Day 186 179 Week 27 Jul 06 Day 187 178 Week 27 Jul 07 Day 188 177 Week 27 Jul 08 Day 189 176 Week 28 Jul 09 Day 190 175 Week 28 Jul 10 Day 191 174 Week 28 Jul 11 Day 192 173 Week 28 Jul 12 Day 193 172 Week 28 Jul 13 Day 194 171 Week 28 Jul 14 Day 195 170 Week 28 Jul 15 Day 196 169 Week 29 Jul 16 Day 197 168 Week 29 Jul 17 Day 198 167 Week 29 Jul 18 Day 199 166 Week 29 Jul 19 Day 200 165 Week 29 Jul 20 Day 201 164 Week 29 Jul 21 Day 202 163 Week 29 Jul 22 Day 203 162 Week 30 Cancer--Crab Ends Jul 23 Day 204 161 Week 30 Leo--Lion Begins Jul 24 Day 205 160 Week 30 Jul 25 Day 206 159 Week 30 Jul 26 Day 207 158 Week 30 Jul 27 Day 208 157 Week 30 Jul 28 Day 209 156 Week 30 Jul 29 Day 210 155 Week 31 Jul 30 Day 211 154 Week 31 Jul 31 Day 212 153 Week 31 Lughnasadh[Reek Sunday]~mid wa summer solstice-autumn equinox,nearest Sunday,Euro harv fest[Welsh Calan Awst,English Lammas]visit holy wells,offer 1stcorn,feast newfood,bilberries, bull sacrifice,ritual dance-play on top of hills. Garden-08Aug If you're planning a fall vegetable garden, Baby it's hot outside but.... Early August transplant tomatoes & bell peppers. plant broccoli seeds, cauliflower, brussels sprouts, Chinese cabbage, collards, mustard, turnips, squash, cucumbers, lima beans, shallots, Irish potatoes and southern peas. Mid- to late plant carrots, beets, snap beans and lettuce. You also can transplant broccoli, cauliflower and cabbage. Late August Prune roses, if show damage from heat-diseases. apply slow-release fertilizer to start growth post pruning. Disease control program for fall flowers. Azalea leaves,gardenias, roses, camellias, hollies, centipede lawn grass. If look yellowish needing iron [commonly caused by high soil pH]. Remedy applying aluminum sulfate or chelated iron compound at plant base. Azaleas showing lace bug damage to foliage [similar to iron chlorosis symptoms]. Many lace bug generations mature per year Apply recommended insecticides when lace bugs present, ~ spring and late summer/early fall. Chrysanthemums wilt went too dry, so Water but avoid overwatering [stem rot].{water at base, not on foliage top. Don't pinch or prune chrysanthemums now if desire fall bloom. Fertilize mums slow-release, complete, balanced fertilizer or apply a water-soluble fertilizer every week or so. Also Insect-disease control. Prune hydrangeas, remove any branches having flowers last season. Non Flowering Branches will flower next year. Aug 01 Day 213 152 Week 31 Lammas and Lughnasadh first of 3 Pagan autumn harvest festivals Aug 02 Day 214 151 Week 31 Aug 03 Day 215 150 Week 31 Aug 04 Day 216 149 Week 31 Aug 05 Day 217 148 Week 32 Aug 06 Day 218 147 Week 32 Aug 07 Day 219 146 Week 32 Aug 08 Day 220 145 Week 32 Aug 09 Day 221 144 Week 32 Aug 10 Day 222 143 Week 32 Aug 11 Day 223 142 Week 32 Aug 12 Day 224 141 Week 33 Perseids ~ 9-14th x 30days peaks ~ 12th Aug 13 Day 225 140 Week 33 Aug 14 Day 226 139 Week 33 Aug 15 Day 227 138 Week 33 Aug 16 Day 228 137 Week 33 Aug 17 Day 229 136 Week 33 Aug 18 Day 230 135 Week 33 Aug 19 Day 231 134 Week 34 Aug 20 Day 232 133 Week 34 Aug 21 Day 233 132 Week 34 Aug 22 Day 234 131 Week 34 Leo--Lion Ends Aug 23 Day 235 130 Week 34 Virgo--Virgin Begins Aug 24 Day 236 129 Week 34 Aug 25 Day 237 128 Week 34 Aug 26 Day 238 127 Week 35 Aug 27 Day 239 126 Week 35 Aug 28 Day 240 125 Week 35 Aug 29 Day 241 124 Week 35 Aug 30 Day 242 123 Week 35 Aug 31 Day 243 122 Week 35 Garden-09Sep Early September Usually a little warm for garden work but... Transplant broccoli, brussels sprouts , cauliflower. Plant: beets, brussels sprouts, carrots, cabbage, Chinese cabbage, collards, endive, English peas, lettuce, mustard, kohlrabi, parsley, radishes, rutabaga, shallots, spinach, Swiss chard, turnips and kale. Late September plant garlic and onions. Water, especially azaleas-camellias. They & other plants that bloomed last spring have buds & shouldn't have long dry period. Chrysanthemums to for have fall blossoms. fertilize to improve flower quality. Transplant bearded iris and daylilies. Dig up corms with [turning brown] foliage intact. Dry in shady place several days, then remove soil. Store the corms in a cool, dry place where they will not freeze. Prepare spring flowering bulbs beds, as planting is Oct-Nov. Prepare place for pansies, calendulas, snapdragons, as planting is October. Make softwood or semi-hardwood stem cuttings to grow more of your favorite shrubs. Sep 01 Day 244 121 Week 35 Sep 02 Day 245 120 Week 36 Sep 03 Day 246 119 Week 36 Sep 04 Day 247 118 Week 36 Sep 05 Day 248 117 Week 36 Sep 06 Day 249 116 Week 36 Sep 07 Day 250 115 Week 36 Sep 08 Day 251 114 Week 36 Sep 09 Day 252 113 Week 37 Sep 10 Day 253 112 Week 37 Sep 11 Day 254 111 Week 37 Sep 12 Day 255 110 Week 37 Sep 13 Day 256 109 Week 37 Sep 14 Day 257 108 Week 37 Sep 15 Day 258 107 Week 37 Sep 16 Day 259 106 Week 38 Sep 17 Day 260 105 Week 38 Sep 18 Day 261 104 Week 38 Sep 19 Day 262 103 Week 38 Sep 20 Day 263 102 Week 38 Sep 21 Day 264 101 Week 38 Autumnal Equinox Summers End Party [Mabon] Sep 22 Day 265 100 Week 38 Mabon 2nd autumn harvest festival 22-24 Sep Southward-September-autumnal equinox, Earth's plane equator passes center Sun, Earth's axis tilt inclined neither away nor towards Sun. Sep 23 Day 266 99 Week 39 Libra -- Balance Begins , Virgo--Virgin Ends Sep 24 Day 267 98 Week 39 Sep 25 Day 268 97 Week 39 Sep 26 Day 269 96 Week 39 Sep 27 Day 270 95 Week 39 Sep 28 Day 271 94 Week 39 Sep 29 Day 272 93 Week 39 Sep 30 Day 273 92 Week 40 Garden-10Oct Plant: 1st part :collard, leaf lettuce, Chinese cabbage, carrot, beet, onion seeds. All month: cabbage, mustard, turnips, spinach, kale, parsley, celery, Swiss chard, shallots, garlic, radishes, endive. All month: bulb planting. Planting hardy spring-flowering bulbs. narcissus and daffodils, other hardy bulb [Anemones, ranunculus, snowflakes, flowering onions and snowdrops]. Strawberries. prepare soil [plant in Nov] Apply 4-7lb fert/100ft row [8-24-24 or 13-13-13]. Lay black plastic mulch. Grow Chandler.Tangi and other limited. Tulip and Dutch hyacinth bulbs refrigerated for 6 weeks & plant late Nov or Dec. Do not freeze. Begin cleaning up your garden for next spring. If any diseases-insects in summer, compost or bury collected debris as insects-diseases inhabit thru winter. If NO diseases-insects in summer, work into compost to decompose-provide organic matter. Include any fallen leaves. Use Pine straw for mulch material. Simple composting-stack in layered pile organic matter, soil, somenitrogen fertilizer. Decompose rate varies. Oct 01 Day 274 91 Week 40 Oct 02 Day 275 90 Week 40 Oct 03 Day 276 89 Week 40 Oct 04 Day 277 88 Week 40 Oct 05 Day 278 87 Week 40 Oct 06 Day 279 86 Week 40 Oct 07 Day 280 85 Week 41 Oct 08 Day 281 84 Week 41 Near 100% no temp <28 to this point Oct 09 Day 282 83 Week 41 Oct 10 Day 283 82 Week 41 Oct 11 Day 284 81 Week 41 Oct 12 Day 285 80 Week 41 Oct 13 Day 286 79 Week 41 Oct 14 Day 287 78 Week 42 Oct 15 Day 288 77 Week 42 Oct 16 Day 289 76 Week 42 Oct 17 Day 290 75 Week 42 Oct 18 Day 291 74 Week 42 Oct 19 Day 292 73 Week 42 1st Low Record 32 ever Oct 20 Day 293 72 Week 42 Oct 21 Day 294 71 Week 43 Orionids? Oct 22 Day 295 70 Week 43 Oct 23 Day 296 69 Week 43 Libra--Balance Ends Oct 24 Day 297 68 Week 43 Scorpio--Scorpion Begins Oct 25 Day 298 67 Week 43 1st Low Record 28 ever Oct 26 Day 299 66 Week 43 Oct 27 Day 300 65 Week 43 Oct 28 Day 301 64 Week 44 Oct 29 Day 302 63 Week 44 Oct 30 Day 303 62 Week 44 Oct 31 Day 304 61 Week 44 Samhain 3rd autumn harvest festival celebrated sunset 31 Oct- sunset 1 Nov, ~ halfway between autumn equinox-winter solstice. marks end harvest season,start winter or 'darker half' of year Garden-11Nov Plant: mustard, turnips, shallots, cabbage, spinach, collard transplants, garlic , kale. strawberrys 1st half: bulb-planting season [from mid-October]. November 15 deadline- especially for anemones, daffodils, iris, jonquils, narcissus, ranunculus, zephyranthes bulbs. OK in middle December tulips and hyacinths [If refrigerated since mid-October -6 wks]. Several kinds of annuals from seeds. include sweet peas, oriental poppy, snapdragons, sweet allysum, nasturtium, larkspur and delphenium. Set out pansy plants. Safely divide and transplant ground covers such as liriope, monkey grass and ajuga. Not too late to divide perennials, shasta daisies & violets [Oct chores]. For cold weather ahead mulch Cold-sensitive vines-plants as amaryllis, hibiscus, plumbago, gerberas [2-3" of pine straw, leaves, pine bark. Give adequate water prior to freezing temps. Dig up caladiums, freezing temperatures can kill. Dig caladiums with foliage intact , air dry several days in shade. Then, remove foliage , store in cool freeze free place. Replant April. After 1st frost kills tops,Dig up dahlia or caladiums roots and store them After the frost hits, cut off old tops to 4-5" soil,leave in ground 2-3 days. Dig up,wash off . Allow air dry in shade several days,store in newspaper, peat moss, or similar, store in cool freeze free place. Replant April. Care garden tools good cleaning and oiling to avoid rust. Nov 01 Day 305 60 Week 44 Samhain - From sunset on 31 October to sunset on 1 November,Halfway between autumn equinox & winter solstice --------------------------All Saints'-All Hallows-Solemnity of All Saints- Feast of All Saints,2nd day of Hallowmas, begins sunrise & ends @ sundown. It is the day before All Souls' Day. Nov 02 Day 306 59 Week 44 All Souls' Day - Nov 03 Day 307 58 Week 44 Nov 04 Day 308 57 Week 45 Nov 05 Day 309 56 Week 45 Nov 06 Day 310 55 Week 45 Nov 07 Day 311 54 Week 45 Nov 08 Day 312 53 Week 45 Near 100% no <28 to here Nov 09 Day 313 52 Week 45 Nov 10 Day 314 51 Week 45 avg Fall end >28° Nov 11 Day 315 50 Week 46 Nov 12 Day 316 49 Week 46 Nov 13 Day 317 48 Week 46 Nov 14 Day 318 47 Week 46 Nov 15 Day 319 46 Week 46 Nov 16 Day 320 45 Week 46 Nov 17 Day 321 44 Week 46 Nov 18 Day 322 43 Week 47 Nov 19 Day 323 42 Week 47 Nov 20 Day 324 41 Week 47 Nov 21 Day 325 40 Week 47 Nov 22 Day 326 39 Week 47 Sagittarius-Archer Begins, Scorpio--Scorpion Ends Nov 23 Day 327 38 Week 47 Nov 24 Day 328 37 Week 47 Nov 25 Day 329 36 Week 48 Nov 26 Day 330 35 Week 48 Fall end of record no >24° Nov 27 Day 331 34 Week 48 Nov 28 Day 332 33 Week 48 Nov 29 Day 333 32 Week 48 Nov 30 Day 334 31 Week 48 Garden-12Dec Attention outdoors protection plants from damaging cold weather. Citrus trees, poinsettias, cassia, rubber plants, hibiscus, allamanda, bougainvillea, philodendron, succulents, copper plants, coleus, silk oak and night-blooming jasmine all need protection. cover upper parts& soil over roots,just exposed parts not enough in hard freeze. !! Remove protective coverings on parts above ground immediately after frost danger passed. mulch around tender plants or those susceptible to damage. Leaves, leaf mold, bagasse, pine needles or sawdust all make good mulches. Water your plants if freeze forecast to prevent dehydration death. December, January and February best months transplanting trees-shrubs. holiday plant, poinsettia, chrysanthemum, Christmas pepper, Christmas begonia, enjoy its colors for several weeks. If grew up in a greenhouse and out short time. Poor light cause leaves to drop off. Needs some morning sun. & fairly constant temperature. Most flowering plants do best temperatures 65-70 degrees. Some like even a little cooler. Just slightly moist. Most house plants do better if soil slightly dry side rather than wet. Over watering makes leaves drop off. Plants grow best where humidity is greatest-i.e kitchen. put plant on pebble-filled saucer with water just below base of pot, not touching it. Dec 01 Day 335 30 Week 48 Geminids?? Dec 02 Day 336 29 Week 49 Dec 03 Day 337 28 Week 49 Avg End frost-free=239d. Apr 8 - Dec 3 , Plant Hardys Only til Spring , Likely receive frost Dec 3-March 3 Dec 04 Day 338 27 Week 49 Dec 05 Day 339 26 Week 49 Poco 03 ? BD Dec 06 Day 340 25 Week 49 Dec 07 Day 341 24 Week 49 Dec 08 Day 342 23 Week 49 Dec 09 Day 343 22 Week 50 Dec 10 Day 344 21 Week 50 Dec 11 Day 345 20 Week 50 Dec 12 Day 346 19 Week 50 Dec 13 Day 347 18 Week 50 Dec 14 Day 348 17 Week 50 Dec 15 Day 349 16 Week 50 Dec 16 Day 350 15 Week 51 Dec 17 Day 351 14 Week 51 Dec 18 Day 352 13 Week 51 Dec 19 Day 353 12 Week 51 Dec 20 Day 354 11 Week 51 Yule-Yuletide 20-23 @ Winter[Southern] solstice or Midwinter,rebirth Great horned hunter god [newborn solstice sun] shortest day-longest night of year, sun's daily maximum elevation in sky is lowest. Dec 21 Day 355 10 Week 51 December solstice 17:11 UTC 2013 , Ursids Meteor 17-25 annual ,2013 21 & 22 Dec 22 Day 356 09 Week 51 Dec 23 Day 357 08 Week 52 Dec 24 Day 358 07 Week 52 Dec 25 Day 359 06 Week 52 Dec 26 Day 360 05 Week 52 Dec 27 Day 361 04 Week 52 Dec 28 Day 362 03 Week 52 Dec 29 Day 363 02 Week 52 Dec 30 Day 364 01 Week 52- Dec 31 Day 365 00 Week 52- |