No Little Pumpkin
	As we begin summer, it’s a bit early to think about Halloween parties. But to be successful growing Halloween pumpkins, you need to plant NOW. The giant prize winning 500 pound monsters are usually started in Late May. However, the normal run of the mill 3 to 30 pound beauties will do great at this time. You may choose from hybrids grown for unusual color such as white (Lumina) or pink (Cinderella).
You might want to consider those that are particularly tasty for pies (New England Pie) or edible seeds (Triple Treat). The petite Jack-Be-Little is great for decorations for Halloween and Thanksgiving. With all varieties it is best to plant 3 to 5 seeds in a mound. Space the mounds 2’ to 3’ apart. The small fruited varieties will grow well on a fence or trellis. The larger varieties need ground space. Keep evenly moist and feed every 2 weeks. As the plants grow, you can turn the runners back toward the stem to reduce the space requirement. As the pumpkin matures, place straw or cardboard under the fruit to help prevent rot and insect damage. Pick when the stems start to dry. Be sure and leave a 3” or longer stem for that perfect Jack-o-lantern top.

Summer Heat

Most trees and shrubs can be planted as spring ends and summer begins. The most important thing is to prepare the soil and provide extra water. When planting, dig large holes (2 to 3 times the size of the root ball) and backfill with a 50/50 mixture of planting mix and native soil. The root ball should be 1” higher than the existing soil to allow for settling. Apply 3” of compost to the top of the soil in a 3’ circle around the plant. The compost should be deepest on the outside and only ¼” at the trunk. New plants require more frequent watering than established plants. Even if you have automatic sprinklers, it is necessary to check the new plant’s original root ball to see if the plant is getting adequate water. Many times, if the root ball is allowed to dry out, it becomes very difficult to water as the soil becomes very repellant and the water just sheds off and does not penetrate. If this is a problem, let your hose drip on the root ball by the trunk as slow as possible for 2 to 3 hours. If you need to transplant Palms, now is the very best time to move them to another location with much less stress and shock. When transplanting, remember to remove at least 50% of the existing fronds. It is best to tie the remaining fronds together to make it easier to dig and to protect the terminal bud. Take as large of root ball as you can safely handle. If the ball is too big, you risk breaking the roots and possibly killing the plant. Palms can be bare rooted, but this does set them back and make regrowth slower. Place the root ball in the new hole so that it is 1” higher than the existing soil level (it will settle). Water to keep moist but not soggy wet.

Why do we farm all of this grass?
History Americans love lawns - it's in our blood/genes. Lawn care is the most popular gardening activity in the country, outpacing vegetables, flowers, fruit and houseplants. More people tend lawns than read books, go to movies, or watch sporting events on TV.
There are 5 million acres of  home lawns in the USA (150 trillion grass plants under cultivation). Americans spend $6 BILLION a year to keep them looking good. A well maintained yard (including lawns) can add 15% to your home's value. Lawns help muffle noise, moderate temperatures, reduce dust and pollen, control erosion, improve soil, improve air quality by reducing CO2 levels, cushion the legs, and, though some may disagree, help keep dirt out of the home. In medieval times, lawns were called “flowery medes,” because short- stemmed plants were used more than grasses (chamomile). One can actually find references to “grassy garden carpets” back in the Persian Empire, but lawn as we know it is a more “recent” invention. In Europe, the lawn was born due to pasturing animals that grazed too close to the home (safety area). Then the medieval lawns took on a new form; sod was dug from pastures, planted on estates, and “mowed” by hand with scythes. Only the rich could afford this lawn. It wasn't until the 19th century that lawns came to most homes. Edward Budding made it possible with his invention, the lawn mower. He worked in a textile factory, and in 1830, he watched the blades of the textile machines cut fabric, and figured the same action could be used to cut grass. When his 19” wide lawnmower (reel mower) went on the market, he described mowing as “amusing, useful and healthful for everyone”, but today, that is not the case. Honk and wave as you pass me on Saturday morning, won't you?

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