- After roses have finished first flush of bloom, scratch in a cupfull of 10-10-10 around each plant. Be sure your spray program is in force as you need to treat for blackspot before the disease begins. I prefer using a complete 3 in 1 fertilizer for my roses which feeds, protects against disease and insects. I start this in May, but you could still start this now. You have to reapply every 4-6 weeks.- Apply a 2nd fertilization to your lawn toward the middle to end of June. Water in well. Spot treat weeds as they appear. Cabbage worms will attack cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower and collards. Control with Bacillus thuringiensis kurstaki which is sole under many brand names. If your plants are in a row, place a white row cover over plants immediately after planting (keeps the cabbage butterflies from depositing the worms.)

- Squash vine borers will destroy zucchini, squash and pumpkin plants at the soil line, Spray the base of stems with Sevin after dusk to avoid injury to bees.

- Continue tying tomato plant to stakes. Tuck shoots of caged tomatoes so the plant stays in the cage.

- Remember anything you transplant need special attention for about three weeks before it recognizes its new home. Water newly planted shrubs or trees at least once a week. Annuals and perennials should be watered every other day, or possibly daily if we have hot windy days. Purchased plant material today is planted in pots of soiless mix. This is a complete shock to plants when they are transplanted and have to deal with real soil...maybe a very clayey one. When planting, be sure to shake off as much soiless mix as possible, mixing it with the "real soil". Then "baby" the plant until it establishes. ( A vacation and new transplants don't seem to work) Edible peapods are best picked when the pods have just begun to fill.

Questions? Contact Roger A. Larson, County Extension Director at ralarso1@uiuc.edu

• Annual Report - 2006

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• Master Gardener