The weather is practically perfect for gardening enthusiasts in Lincoln county, however, the night-time temperatures are still cold enough to zap any prematurely planted vegetation unless proper precautions are taken.
Maria Lerma with Season’s nursery said it is still too soon to plant most plants due to risk of another hard freeze.
“Last year Ruidoso had a hard freeze on May 25th,” she said. “It is best to wait a few more weeks for most plants at least.”
Lerma said the only plants that can be planted right now and be OK are snapdragons, dianthus and pansies.
Jeanie Secor, with Zia Scapes Landscaping and Nursery, said right now is the best time to be starting seeds and amending, tilling and feeding the soil. Plants should be planted deep in the ground in case of more frost so they have a better chance of surviving. Secore recommends doing the following now.
Soil preparation
• Tilling
• Adding coco or peat moss to help hold in moisture.
• Adding earthworm castings to draw in necessary microbes and other worms, which helps keep soil healthy, turned and from getting packed in.
• Steer manure
Start seeds
• Start seeds; can use a seed starter kit
• Keep seeds near a light source
Protect plants
• Plants not ready to be planted can be put outside during the day but need to be brought in at night.
• Place a cut plastic jug over small plants or use plastic covering if left outside or already planted.
Drought conditions, lack of food and pure curiosity are shaping the local deer’s acquired tastes for plants that were once considered deer resistant.
“Deer resistant does not mean poisonous.” Secor said, “Deer are browsers and like to taste things. Deer also travel in herds, so when one tastes the rest of the herd take a taste as well.”
Secor said the using a deer repellent spray is the best option to keep deer away. Secore said repellent must be sprayed weekly, many repellents are made from natural sources and the smell of mint and peppers tend to deter the deer as well. Lerma said right now the deer are looking for water sources and food, which means they will consume what they need to just to survive. Lerma said there are still a few plants that are holding strong to their classification under “deer resistant.” These plants also are low-water plants meaning they require less water once established.
Deer resistant and low-water plants
• Marigolds (snnual)
Perennials
• Agastache
• DustyMiller
• Lamb’s ear
• Lavender
• Purple coneflower
• Shasta daisy
• Snapdragon
• Valerian — red
• Vinca
• Yarrow
Shrubs
• Apache plume
• Autumn sage
• Butterfly bush
• Barberry
• Cotoneaster
• Red yucca
• Russian sage
Speak Your Mind