Ritters Florist and
Nursery N. 10120 Division
Spokane, WA, 99218 (509) 467-5258 800-474-8837
Store
Hours Monday - Friday
9:00 AM - 7:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
May Gardening Tips
Groom Rhododendrons. May and June are the months to fertilize and prune Azaleas
and Rhodies, as well as clean damaged leaves and dead branches. Prune after they
are all done blooming.
Fertilize your lawn. If you haven't already done so, fertilize now with a 21-7-14
formulation that is good for this Inland Northwest area. The ground temperature is also
warm enough to use a weed and feed if you need some weed control.
Feed Roses and Flowering shrubs. Apply a good balanced fertilizer to get them
started off for the seaon.
Keep the heads picked off spring flowering bulbs to ensure better bloom for next year. Do not
cut back the foliage until it has turned a real yellow color, then cut to ground level but don't
pull on it.
Harden off flower, herbs, and vegetable starts before planting out around the middle to the end of month.
Begin watering large shade and fruit trees deeply to encourage stronger root systems.
Control Slugs. As temperatures rise and slugs appear, they are hungry for tender seedlings and
vulnerable mature plants. There are many methods to contol these little critters.
Start planting hardy annuals and filling outside planters with flowers and herbs just as soon as
most danger of frost has past.
The list in May is never ending so start your engines the season has begun. Happy Planting!
