Guest Author - Sue Walsh

As summer approaches, most gardeners have their plants in the ground, so they can relax, right? Actually, the summer months can be really labor intensive, especially if you have a vegetable garden. Here's a checklist of summer gardening chores to help you stay organized:

Summer is here and your garden is planted and growing happily. Time to sit back and relax, right? Wrong! As the growing season really kicks into gear, your garden will need lots of attention! Here's a checklist to help:

* Set up a watering system, such as drip irrigation or soaker hoses. This will save you time and energy and will also help conserve water.

* Keep shrubs pruned and plants pinched back to promote dense, bushy growth.

* Mulch your flower. herb and vegetable beds to keep the plant roots cool, conserve moisture, and discourage weeds. Avoid using grass clippings as they often contain weed seeds.

* Place a sheet of fine netting or wire mesh over strawberries, blueberries, and other fruit crops as soon as they begin to develop fruit to keep birds from eating them.

* Mark any spring perennials or bulbs that need to be divided so that you can easily find them in the fall.

* Prune spring flowering bushes immediately so that you don't cut off next spring's flower buds.

* Even if you've mulched, be sure to keep an eye out for weeds, especially tree seedlings, which will pop up if you have any trees in your yard.

* Check your yard for poisonous plants like poison ivy and remove promptly.

*Check your garden tools and oil,sharpen, repair or replace as necessary. Dull blades can cause injury and damage plants.

*Deadhead roses, petunias, and other flowering plants regularly to keep them blooming all summer.

*Make sure you check your plants regularly for signs of insect infestation and treat any you find as quickly as possible.

*If there is a hurricane headed your way, pick any ripe and nearly ripe fruits, and lay climbing rose canes and any vines on the ground to prevent damage.

*Keep that compost pile turned!

*Pull up any cool season veggies that remain and add to your compost pile.

*Fertilize at least once a month.

*If you're container gardening, check them to make sure your plants haven't outgrown them and that they are draining properly.

Have anything to add to our checklist? Drop by the forum and let us know!