Gardening suggestions for 2012

"Is it too early to plant tomatoes yet? The weather has been so warm. I just feel like I need to get them in the ground. I know that you should probably wait until May 1 to plant them. I'm just itching to get my garden growing." I have been asked this question at least 10 times per day for the last month.

"Are the bugs going to be worse this year? It wasn't cold enough to kill a lot of them last winter." I was also asked this question 10 times per day for the last month. Well, maybe it was only 5 times per day. I don't want to exaggerate.

Obviously the subject of weather and gardening has been on the minds of most gardeners this spring, as it should be. After all, plant growth is certainly related to weather.

I can't answer the questions asked above, but I can tell you what I have seen over the last few weeks, and make some suggestions on what you can do during the 2012 growing season.

Last week tomatoes planted in low lying gardens got nipped from frost and freezing temperatures.

A superintendent of a local golf course told me two weeks ago that they have almost spent their entire 2012 fungicide budget in March and early April because of the warm temperatures. I have seen an increase in plant samples over the last two weeks. They range from maple anthracnose, to fire blight on pear and apple, and blight on tomatoes.

I have had a number of reports of Kwanzan cherry flowering, beginning to leaf out, and then dyeing. My guess is that this is weather related.

Termites and ants have been swarming around old shade trees. Carpenter bees seem to be drilling holes in every deck and wood barn in the county. Lacebugs are feasting on azaleas. A gardener could easily get depressed this spring.

So what is a gardener to do? First, don't panic. What we are experiencing is just normal Heartland issues that we see every year. It is just that this year they are coming earlier and perhaps a little worse than normal because of the unusually warm spring.

Secondly, make it a habit of inspecting your landscape and garden areas on a regular basis. So often I hear someone say, "I looked at the plant last fall and it was fine. Now all of a sudden it is dying. What should I do?" I suspect the plant had treatable issues for several months, but the gardener failed to look at the plant and treat it before it was too late.

If you do find a plant with a problem, take a fresh sample in a zip lock bag to someone at your local garden center who is knowledgeable about plants. In addition each county in the US has an extension office with someone knowledgeable about plant issues. Ask them to identify the problem and make suggestions on treatment.

You can also use the internet. Just make sure that you are getting your information from reliable sources. Good sources are bulletins published by extension personnel at land grant universities.

The great spring weather we have had is a blessing on one hand and yet may lead to an increase in plant problems. Just remember to inspect your landscape and garden on a regular basis and go to knowledgeable people to help you if you find problems. Oh, and also remember to enjoy your garden.

Send your gardening and landscape questions to Paul Schnare at P.O. Box 699, Cape Girardeau, MO 63702-0699 or by email to news@semissourian.com.