Gardening: It's Time to ...

Keep on planting. Every gardener knows there's never enough time to get everything done, particularly in spring. Now that summer's only a week away, if you're like me, there are at least a few unopened vegetable seed packets and transplants in market packs or pots. The good news is there's still time to get them into the ground or into containers. For vegetables, check the seed packet for the number of days to maturity. While it's too late to start tomatoes, eggplants and peppers, there's still time for Swiss chard, carrots, beans, beets and spinach. For transplants with roots trailing out of drainage holes, carefully remove them from the pots, and loosen the roots before planting. Water everything well after planting.

Prune azaleas. Azaleas, and any other Rhododendron as well, can benefit from occasional pruning, especially those with some age to them. New leaves sprouting lower down on the stems are a good indication that the plant could use rejuvenation pruning. The trick is to prune now before the tips of the branches have a chance to set their flower buds for next year. Try to keep the shape as natural as possible, giving it a billowing shape rather than a rounded one. If your azalea is very overgrown, plan to complete the pruning project in a two-year phase. Cutting back too much at one time can look more like a crew-cut, affecting the overall appearance of the plant.

Move them on out. If you have the space, it's a great time to move your houseplants outdoors. Just think of it as summer camp. Choose spots in and around the garden and patio where they'll get the kind of light they require and where you'll remember to water them. I cluster my houseplants together in two main areas, one in sun and the other in shade. They get the exposure they need, and I reduce my watering time because they're placed close together.

Remove seedling trees. Mother Nature always gives us trees in abundance, but not all are destined to grow to maturity. If you do find a tree seedling and aren't sure what it is or if you want to let it grow where it has sprouted, check the Arbor Day Foundation's "What Tree is That?" website at www.arborday.org/trees.

Sow the seed of inspiration. Who gave you your first start in the garden? Think about what first interested you, and invite a young person into your garden. Whether you set aside a garden patch in which they can experiment, or let them follow you around as you garden, make the experience fun.