Chores Between Moons

The May10 full moon was the Flower Moon.  The June 9 full moon was the Strawberry Moon.  Both were visible from the garden at nightfall.  Between the two full moons, there are lots of garden chores.  Here's a list of what I've accomplished in that time period (and each year at this time!).

• Set up soaker hose.  Monitor water with a rainfall gauge.  My frog does this for me!
• Deadhead the bulb flowers. Let the leaves die back.  Trim them when they wilt.  Early this year!  Tulips and Daffodils done.
• Pull weeds as they crop up.  Wait for a day that is not too wet or too dry to gently remove them.
• Pinch back summer-flowering perennials for control of their height:  Montauk daisies, asters and sedum.
• Hoop the peonies before they droop.  Caught them in time before the heat!
• Prune or deadhead spring-flowering plants: Iris, Siberian Iris, Lady's Mantle (to control size), Forget-Me-Nots, Pansies and Violas.  Also the shrubs:  Weigela, Deutzia, Lilacs, Flowering Quince.

• Divide summer and fall blooming perennials. This year I divided the Nepeta or catmint, the Montauk Daisy, some Yarrow and some Tickseed.  I also divided the Bleeding Heart (spring-bloomer) this year after it bloomed but before the leaves died back. It wasn't doing well but a young plant had started nearby that I gently cut out and relocated.

• And then there is pest patrol.  I have battled Gypsy Moth caterpillars and aphids already.  There is a feral cat drinking from my bird bath--but there are no more chipmunks digging holes and the rabbits left the tulips alone this year.

These are all photos from previous springs

that appear on this blog's archive.

Same old chores, but also same beautiful displays.

I love the May-June garden

despite all the work!