Fa-la, 'tis May, the merry month of May! That naughty month where everyone goes blissfully astray!"
Sorry; we couldn't help bursting into song, because with the onset of May, Northern New Mexico gardeners are reassured that spring is finally here at last.
May's the month for final winter garden cleanup, purchasing necessary hardscaping, repairing and replacing tools, preparing plant beds and containers, starting seeds, hardening off plants you've been growing indoors for outside use, and — particularly after May 10, the last official frost date for the Santa Fe area — planting, planting, planting!
There are lots of happy activities vying for our attention this month, so let's dive right in ...
Daylilies* (Hemerocallis) are hardy, summer blooming perennials (which means they come back year after year). It may look wrong, but the preferred spelling is "daylily" as one word., even though many dictionaries spell it as two words. The word Hemerocallis is derived from two Greek words meaning "beauty" and "day," referring to the fact that each flower lasts only one day. To make up for this, there are many flower buds on each daylily flower stalk, and many stalks in each clump of plants, so, the flowering period of a clump is usually several weeks long.
Join the Los Alamos Master Gardneres in exploring a diverse, sustainable, & environmentally friendly world through gardening.
Events: • Plant Sale • Mini-lectures on Garden Pests, & Gopher Management. • Garden Tours • Ask an Expert: to include a Plant Clinic with NMSU Cooperative Extension Service
Brochures available at the Extension office, 475 20th St., Ste A, and both libraries. If you are a person in need of special services, call 662-2656 by June 3, 2011.
New Mexico State University is an equal opportunity educator and employer. NMSU, USDA, Los Alamos County Parks Division and Los Alamos Extension Master Gardeners cooperating to produce this event.
Every week you’ll hear about a different topic including gardening tips, fun facts about plants, how to plant and prepare your garden for each season and special announcements.
Spring, Summer, Fall or Winter, fruit trees always have something special to offer.
Spring: delicate white or pink blossoms. Summer: the main attraction — fruit! Fall: gorgeous leaves of gold and red. Winter? Yes! Birds use them for perches and for food (crab apples have small fruits in fall/winter).
Subscribers to Payne's weekly Green Thumb Gazette newsletter get exclusive discounts as well as timely information, helpful advice and recommendations. For example, this week's newsletter included advance notice of our houseplant sale and a coupon for 25% off all indoor plants.
We also feature a "Plant of the Week" to introduce various trees, shrubs, flowers, vines and tropical plants to our readers. And, after their time in the spotlight, these plants can be found by clicking on the "Plant of the Week" tab above. There are descriptions and care instructions for more than 40 plants we've featured so far. New subscribers can have their names entered into our weekly drawings for a $25 Payne's gift certificate. Use the box at left to subscribe now and start saving!
Daylilies* (Hemerocallis) are hardy, summer blooming perennials (which means they come back year after year). It may look wrong, but the preferred spelling is "daylily" as one word., even though many dictionaries spell it as two words. The word Hemerocallis is derived from two Greek words meaning "beauty" and "day," referring to the fact that each flower lasts only one day. To make up for this, there are many flower buds on each daylily flower stalk, and many stalks in each clump of plants, so, the flowering period of a clump is usually several weeks long. 
Los Alamos Master
Subscribers to Payne's weekly Green Thumb Gazette newsletter get exclusive discounts as well as timely information, helpful advice and recommendations. For example, this week's newsletter included advance notice of our houseplant sale and a coupon for 25% off all indoor plants.