Bella Vista Garden Club

Congratulations to Steve and Nancy Menhennett of 5 Haverigg Lane who have been selected as the Bella Vista Garden Club Yard of the Month. Steve and Nancy are originally from Louisiana and Texas but have lived in Bella Vista since 2004. Nancy is a long time friend of Lou Jasper who is a Master Gardener/BV Garden Club member. Nancy and Lou both worked at the Sunshine School for many years. Nancy is proud to say that most of the plants in her yard are from the Garden Club. She started with small starts and has nourished and divided them over the years to form themes and splashes of color throughout the year. Steve is the designer and starts by laying out a garden hose to create a design tweaking it until it gets just like they want it and then creates beautiful garden vignettes throughout their property. Nancy loves all her flowers, especially her daisies and Steve is very fond of their rain lilies.They both take great pride in their yard and have a lovely front approach and beautiful side yard with plenty of trees forming a beautiful oasis with a bench placed perfectly to enjoy the view. The Bella Vista Garden Club thanks you, Steve and Nancy, for yet another example of a well-kept yard and helping to keep Bella Vista beautiful year-round!

• • • May is the time to finish planting and don’t forget to mulch everything that you plant. You will be glad you did later in the season.

    • Annuals - Bedding plants can be set out and containers can be planted. Polymers that hold the water for the plant’s roots are very helpful in containers.

    • Herbs - When the nighttime temperatures are 50 and above consistently, you can plant your basil. Other herbs aren’t as temperature sensitive so they can be planted now too if you haven’t done so already. Most herbs need full sun but can tolerate some afternoon shade.

    • Bulbs - A feeding of bulb booster or bone meal will help. Be sure to leave the leaves on for 6 to 8 weeks after bloom. In mid May plant warm weather bulbs such as caladiums, cannas and elephant ears.

    • Perennials - Finish planting and dividing and mulch as you go. Labels help you remember names and placement.

    • Lawns - This is the period of rapid growth. Mow no more than 1/3 of the height of the leaf blade. Bermuda – apply a second pre-emergence crabgrass control treatment between May 15 and June 15. Fescues – fertilize with nitrogen only if your soil test indicates it is needed.

    • Roses - Watch for aphids and fungus. Aphids can be controlled by a hard spray from the hose in early morning so the foliage will dry before dark. Fertilize established roses because they are heavy feeders. Be sure plants are watered before applying fertilizer so you don’t burn the roots. Water deeply if we don’t get at least 1 inch of rain per week.

    • Trees and Shrubs - Prune spring flowering shrubs after they bloom. Newly planted trees and shrubs should be watered deeply each week until established. Feed azaleas and rhododendrons after bloom. Deadhead lilacs.

    • Vegetables - You can plant bush and pole snap beans and lima beans, cucumbers, eggplants, peppers, squash and tomatoes. Mulching tomatoes not only conserves water and chokes out weeds, but also prevents splitting and cracking. Water as needed and fertilize.