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Fertilize and Flowers - 3 June Garden Task

Azaleas have their last feeding this month. Use an azalea and camellia fertilizer with a 4-8-5 or 5-10-10 formula. Where the plants are close together in beds spread 2 1/2 to 3 pounds over 100 square feet. For single plants feeding consists of 1/4 to 1 pound, depending upon the size of the plant. Do not scratch the fertilizer into the soil. Apply it to the surface and water it in.

Make cuttings of azaleas and camellias now. New wood should be half ripe in June. Watch for lace bugs on azaleas and scale on camellias. Oil emulsions are good when temperatures are not over 90 degrees.

Chrysanthemums are now growing actively. Keep them growing steadily through the summer months. That is the whole secret of good chrysanthemum culture. Once the plants are stunted by lack of food or moisture further growth is seriously impaired. Feed monthly and never let them dry out.

Flower seeds can still be sown, for there is time to have plenty of blooms on zinnias, petunias and marigolds. Perennials may also be sown now for next years bloom. Be sure to start these in a shaded area where the seedlings will not be injured by the hot, drying sun.

Dahlias, Gladiolus, Cannas can be planted all this month. In fact, dahlia fanciers prefer to wait until June to set out tubers and plants. Better flowers are produced in fall than during the hot summer months. Dahlias are now growing well in the Middle and Lower South. As soon as the new growth reaches 8 inches, pinch out the terminal buds to induce branching or remove all but the main stem to produce large blooms.

Pest control is a major operation in summer. Follow a regular schedule to keep your plants free of insects and diseases. Your county agricultural agent or state extension service has excellent bulletins on methods and materials. Malathio, oils, orthene, Sevin and captan are some of the more popular materials. The last one is for diseases.

Stake all plants from now on. Use wooden or metal stakes stout enough to support the growth. Twist'ems, coated wire (telephone) and hemp string may can be used to fasten stems to supports. Tying is a weekly job on dahlias and chrysanthemums to save the fast-developing stems from breakage.

This is a good time to prune climbing roses after they have finished blooming. Prune out the roots, the oldest canes and dead branches and trim out faded flowers. Spring-blooming climbers bear blossoms on wood of the previous season. If pruned later, many of next years blooms will be lost.

Vegetable seeds can be sown now in all parts of the South, butter beans, celery, cucumbers, snap beans, pumpkins, cowpeas, gourds, New Zealand spinach, squash, Mexican June corn, and crowder peas. Remember to keep up succession planting through the season. Replant each row, after harvesting, to another crop. Plants are still available in quantity"sweet potato slips, tomatoes, eggplants, peppers, collards and cabbage. If you have plenty of garden space plant such vine crops as squash, cantaloupes, pumpkins and watermelons.