05/01/2026
NC State Extension Master Gardener Volunteers of Wake County with the best tips ๐ช๐ชด
๐๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐๐จ ๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐ฒ
๐๐ซ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ก๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ฌ
โข Plant cold-hardy gardenias in rich, acidic, well-drained soil in bright indirect sun or partial shade. Gardenias have shallow roots and do not do well with competition from tree roots.
โข Prune rhododendron after flowering to a whorl of leaves or the next branch, but not after July 10. Prune abelia, euonymus, boxwood, keeping the top of the hedge narrower to allow for light to pe*****te to the bottom.
โข Look out for Eastern tent caterpillars on trees, tea scale on hollies and camellia. Spray horticultural oil on the underside of leaves after plants have finished blooming.
๐๐๐ซ๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ฌ/๐๐ง๐ง๐ฎ๐๐ฅ๐ฌ/๐๐ข๐๐ง๐ง๐ข๐๐ฅ๐ฌ
โข Plant or divide chrysanthemum and other fall-blooming fibrous rooted perennials. Plant summer annuals that will bloom until frost.
โข Plant colorful flowers such as cardinal flower, salvia, astilbe and Rudbeckia to attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Space plants to allow for air circulation. Water at the base, not on the foliage to prevent disease.
๐๐๐ ๐๐ญ๐๐๐ฅ๐๐ฌ
โข Water deep and evenly. Water the soil, not the plant to minimize water on the leaves. In-ground vegetables need 1โ-2โ of water per week, so that the soil is wet to a depth of 6โ. Raised beds and containers require more water.
โข Apply a nitrogen-based fertilizer (such as blood meal or fish emulsion) one month after planting and work it into the soil near the base of the plant.
๐๐๐ฐ๐ง๐ฌ
โข For warm-season lawns: Except for Centipede, fertilize with ยฝ lb of nitrogen per 1,000 sq ft after the grass turns green. Centipedegrass should be fertilized with 1 lb of nitrogen per 1000 sq ft at the end of May. Water 1โ per week in early morning. Mow weekly to 1โ โ 2โ.
โข For cool-season lawns: Fertilize only to promote color and recovery from damage and only in limited amounts. Mow to 2 ยฝโ โ 3 ยฝโ. Water 1โ per week in the early morning.
For more tips and helpful information, check out ๐ผ ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ฃ๐๐งโ๐จ ๐๐ช๐๐๐ ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐ฉ๐ ๐๐ฎ ๐๐ค๐ฃ๐ฉ๐, available for purchase at wakemastergardeners.org and local nurseries.
