Plant palms in May through August, as they establish best when planted into warm soil. Always ask how hardy a palm is before you purchase it. Ideally, palms should be hardy down to 15 degrees or lower to be reliable here — particularly on the north shore. Keep newly planted palms well watered during their establishment period.
- Apply paint or shade cloth to greenhouses to prevent heat buildup. Fans should run just about constantly, and there should be plenty of ventilation. I usually empty out my greenhouse this time of the year and move plants to benches outside.
- Plant basil now for harvest all summer. Choose a sunny, well-drained location and space plants about 12 inches apart. Consider growing some different types, such as cinnamon, lemon or Thai basil, in addition to common sweet basil.
- May is the last chance to apply many of the broad leaf lawn weed killers before the weather gets too hot. Virginia buttonweed is particularly troublesome, and it’s easier to control now while it is young. Try using Ferti-lome Weed Free Zone or Weed B Gon.
- Cannas that have brown, deformed leaves with holes have been attacked by canna leaf-rollers, a caterpillar that can be devastating to cannas. Control is difficult and requires regular spraying all summer. If you decide to treat, use a systemic insecticide such as acephate and make weekly applications.
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