Question: Now that we celebrate May Day we are ready for real gardening. What was on to-do list for this month?
Answer: The drought continues. Even with the recent storms, many who fled, we are still far behind, so do not be complacent. New transplants, including those planted last fall, will require careful watering until their roots get established. In my mind, the priority should go to the trees and shrubs just because you can more easily replace the herbaceous plants if you lose them. If the tree dies, you lose years of growth.

Now is the time to kill english ivy misbehaving.When if plants have a few new leaves in spring, herbicides such as glyphosate and triclopyr is more effective than later in the growing season.

"Cut the tall grass, let the clippings lie" is the word for grass, and both of these steps to help conserve moisture. Long leaf blades shade the soil, limit weed germination, too, just like clipping. Plus, they recycle nutrients.

House plants: The danger of frost is gone, so for those who will come out to check the summer, prune, repot, they shift into the shade the stripes first before moving to full sun.

Veggies: Place a paper collar around the seed when planting to ward off cutworms. And installing stakes or cages for tomatoes as soon as they are planted so that you do not damage the roots by doing it later. Corn is pollinated by the wind, so that the corn crop in blocks rather than long lines.

Consider fire blight in apple and pear trees and the knots in black cherry. The name describes what is to be sought - a rough, black swellings on the branches. Both can be controlled to some extent by pruning branches back to the side of at least 6 inches lower than the node. Disinfect your pruners with alcohol between cuts. Bleach will work, but it can corrode your device.

Herbs: The WNC Herb Festival this weekend, Friday through Sunday at the WNC Farmers Market. This is a good place to buy all sorts of herbs and plants to learn more about the growth and use herbs.citizen-times.com