Northwest Checklist

PLANTING AND SHOPPING

Annuals. Set out transplants of bedding begonia, coleus,cosmos, impatiens, Madagascar periwinkle, marigold, pelargonium,petunia, portulaca, mealycup and scarlet sage, sunflower, sweetalyssum, and zinnia.

Bulbs and tubers. In the sun, plant agapanthus, calla,canna, crocosmia, dahlia, gladiolus, and tigridia. In the shade,plant Japanese anemone and tuberous begonia.

Color for colder climates. Even after an early freeze hitGeorgeson Botanical Garden in Fairbanks, Alaska, observers therereported that the following plants kept right on blooming: Agastache, black-eyed Susan, calendula, chrysanthemum,English daisy, gazania, Geranium, godetia, linaria, lupine, pansy, petunia, salvia,snapdragon, statice, stock, strawflower, sweet alyssum, tidy tips,verbena, and viola. Visit www.uaf.edu/snras/gbg fornames of specific varieties of the plants above.

Lawns. Sunset climate zones A1­A3: Sow seeds or lay sod now soturf will have time to become established over summer. Zones1a­7: Before starting a new lawn from seed or sod, be sureyou’ll be able to apply 1 inch of water per week from now throughautumn.

Perennials. Set out all kinds from containers this month.Summer and fall bloomers include aster, black-eyed Susan, blanketflower, coreopsis, feverfew, penstemon, perennial sweet pea,potentilla, purple coneflower, and salvia.

Shop the big show in B.C. VanDusenBotanical Garden in Vancouver, B.C., hosts a garden showoutdoors, with more than a dozen theme gardens and 250 exhibitors.Inspectors will be on hand to issue permits that U.S. visitors needin order to bring plants across the border. 10-6 Jun 10-13; about$10 U.S. 5251 Oak St.; 604/878-9274.

Vegetables. Sow beets, bush beans, carrots, lettuce, onions,peas, radishes, spinach, Swiss chard, and turnips. Set outseedlings of cucumbers, eggplant, peppers, squash, andtomatoes.

MAINTENANCE

Care for apples. After trees naturally drop some of theirfruit in June, they may still need more thinning. If the crop isheavy, thin triple clusters to doubles, and doubles to singles. Tocontrol apple maggot worms, hang red sticky traps in the trees (redballs coated with a sticky substance like Tangle-Trap Insect TrapCoating, for example).

Water wisely. Lawns need 1 inch of water per week duringsummer to keep from turning brown. Where water is in short supply,apply 1/2 inch per week and let the grass go semidormant.