Gardening reminders

Give them a pinch

Pinch back soft growth from annuals to promote bushier plants. Zinnias, cosmos, petunias and salvias all will look better if given this treatment now as you are planting them.

Summering houseplants

If you have moved your houseplants outside, keep in mind that they will need more water than they did over the winter. Sun, warm temperatures and wind all contribute to your plants' increased water use. Make sure to check your plants frequently to keep them looking good. Many houseplants such as weeping figs, scheffleras and tropical hibiscus respond well to pruning and can be trimmed back severely now, fertilized and allowed to regrow.

Downsizing

Dwarf, compact plants seem to be what everyone is trying to breed. If you are looking for some taller plants to add drama to your summer season plantings try hollyhocks, sunflowers, cleome, burgundy giant pennisetum and castor bean plants. Be careful with the castor beans, the seeds are highly toxic.

Encourage root growth

Lengthening the time between waterings for lawns combined with deep, heavy watering encourages root growth while reducing top growth in lawns. This increases the root-to-shoot ratio and produces plants that are more resistant to wilting when exposed to infrequent watering and high temperatures. In very sandy soils, do not wait too long between waterings and water less deeply to avoid unnecessary waste.

The deal on fertilizer

Don't fertilize your fescue now, instead wait until the fall for these cool-season grasses. It will promote excess tender growth in the spring and lead to disease problems during the heat of the summer. Bermuda and zoysia lawns can be fertilized now however.

Amaryllis advice

Now that the danger of frost is over, amaryllis that was forced into bloom can be placed outdoors for the summer. The potted bulb should be placed in a shaded location and fertilized with 1 teaspoon of 5-10-10. Bring it back indoors before frost, and let the soil dry completely so the bulb will go into dormancy.

After leaving it in a cool, dark place for eight weeks, bring it back into the light and begin watering again. In another eight weeks, your amaryllis should bloom again.

If forcing the amaryllis is not your idea of fun, many amaryllis will overwinter outdoors in warm spots. Plant the bulb in a sunny location and mulch well during the winter.

Mark Weathington is the assistant director of the JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh, N.C. Reach him at crazyplant@msn.com.