Deadhead or die.
The main goal of most plants is to produce seeds. By producing seeds, plants pass on their genetic material to the next generation. Once this has been accomplished, their job is done. The plant knows it, stops growing, and begins to die.
However, to ensure a long season of flowers and fresh herbs, you should start deadheading the fading flowers before they produce seeds. The plant will think it has failed its reproduction efforts. It will try again, and again, and again. Basil and other herbs benefit from regular cutting. Basil sends up small buds that are easily mistaken for leaves. Be on the lookout, as those clever little buds will quickly grow large. Pinch them out PDQ. This will deliver a season of fragrant basil for all your dining needs.
Most garden plants should be deadheaded, including marigolds, zinnias, cosmos, bee balm, sweet peas, phlox, and pansies. Deadheading them creates bushier plants with more flowers. Those flowers will look great in your garden as they attract pollinators.
This year, if you are wondering what to add to flower beds or containers, try Salvia. Amistad is a compact variety that has a fuller habit than most Salvia. It works wonders in flower borders as well as in patio containers. Amistad’s vibrant dark purple blossoms are highly attractive to pollinators, making it a valuable addition to pollinator gardens.
Salvias bloom from spring until frost. They provide a continuous supply of nectar for pollinators. To maintain its charm, locate the first set of healthy green leaves beneath the fading flower, and make a clean cut just above those leaves with sharp pruners.
While you have your pruners out, it is time to clip back azaleas, lilacs, pussy willows, and forsythia. They all bloom on old wood, meaning you must cut now so they produce growth this year; that will be ‘old wood’ next spring. If you do not deadhead lilac blossoms, next year you will have more leaves than flowers. Lilacs are multi-stemmed. Get tough removing several older stems to stimulate fresh flowering growth. If they are old and leggy, cut them down to size, a quarter inch above a leaf.
It is time to put down the pruners and ponder pops.
Father’s Day is upon us. Huh, what? Oh, the Rodney Dangerfield of holidays. How about giving the ‘ol boy a break. Thoroughly clean the BBQ, inside and out, all the burners and racks. Do it right. Then buy a spare gas tank or a bag of charcoal and lighter fluid to surprise him.
While you are at it, how about another surprise for dad? The next time he gets in the car, let him find the gas tank full! Learn how to check the oil level and tire pressure. While the engine hood is up, clean any debris from the air vents, add windshield wiper fluid, and clear or replace the wipers. Back inside, wipe clean all surfaces, windows, the rearview mirror, arm rests, and seats. Take the mats out and beat and vacuum them, and clean out the car thoroughly. Then for the coup de grace, organize the black hole of the car — the glove compartment.
NO, don’t pull a lazy trick by going to a car wash. It is the thought that counts. Be thoughtful. In the process, learn some life skills, responsibility, and how to think past the moment and yourself. This will leave pops speechless. Not to mention, when you want to borrow the car, he will be receptive.
Before you gloat too much, take out the recyclables without being asked. Don’t forget the garbage can. Afterward, wash out that stinky garbage can. Yeah, put down the phone and do it. Then go buy a Father’s Day card. Write something swell inside and mail it early. There is nothing worse than receiving a card after the fact.
Don’t be a deadhead, do it to make dad a happy fella.
