SHOPPING
New flowers. For a show all summer, order warm-season bloomers now. Amaranthus paniculatus 'Autumn Palette' produces feathery cream and tan-pink blooms. Available from Thompson & Morgan, 800/274-7333. Also catching our attention are three new drought- tolerant plants: the deer-resistant and hummingbird-attracting Salvia 'Ultra Violet'; Erigeron linearis, with charming, yellow daisylike flowers; and Tagetes lemmonii 'Compactum', a fine compact version of Mt. Lemmon marigold (all available from High Country Gardens; 800/925-9387).

Tools. Shovel and Hoe of Bellingham, Washington, is a new mail-order supplier of high-quality tools and accessories, including Felco pruners and such English imports as Haws watering cans and Burgon & Ball tools. This year, the company is increasing its selection of Japanese tools to offer one of the largest around. (Shovel and Hoe; 877/266-2966).

PLANTING
Fruit. Plant bare-root berries, grapes, kiwis, and tree fruits immediately. Related story: Raspberry cane support.

Perennials. Purchase potted perennials to plant now. For sun, try basket-of-gold, evergreen candytuft, forget-me-not, primrose, and rockcress. For partial shade, plant Anemone nemorosa, bleeding heart, brunnera, columbine, epimedium, hellebore, heuchera, sweet woodruff, and wallflower.

Trees, shrubs, and vines. Pair flowering cherries, crabapples, dogwoods, and magnolias with azaleas and rhododendrons. Also plant clematis, wisteria, and other flowering climbers.

Vegetables. In the garden, plant broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, Chinese vegetables, kale, kohlrabi, lettuce, peas, potatoes, radishes, spinach, and Swiss chard early in the month. Indoors, sow corn, cucumbers, eggplants, melons, peppers, and tomatoes for transplanting outside later.

MAINTENANCE
Control pests. The next generation of iron phosphate–based slug and snail control has been released under the names of Escar-Go Supreme and Sluggo Plus. Now combined with a bacterium-based organic pesticide called spinosad, it also kills cutworms, earwigs, pill bugs, and sow bugs. Look for it at nurseries or online (Gardens Alive for Escar-Go Supreme, Monterey Lawn and Garden for Sluggo Plus).

Eradicate weeds. Hoe weeds at the seedling stage before they form a taproot, which makes them difficult to destroy. Related story: Managing weeds.

Fertilize. While the soil is cool, feed vegetable and flower beds with a liquid fertilizer, which provides nutrients to plants immediately, or a dry organic type, such as blood meal, which releases nutrients both immediately and over time. Related story: Fertilizing and nutrients.

GARDEN BUZZ
What's happening in gardens and what's not

In
• Single plant containers
• Overstuffed containers
• Soothing spring greens
• Brassy orange with hot pink
• Solar lighting

Out
• Tiki torches
• Meditation spaces
• Wedding-cake gazebos
• Smart controllers
• Wasteful irrigation

Fresh Dirt: Get the latest tips, tricks, and planting ideas on our garden blog »