Spring gardens are beginning to mature very nicely now, but this doesn't mean local growers can sit back and pat themselves on their backs over their accomplishments. No, this is still a time of much activity between the plant rows, so in May, continue to take care of business (that's TCOB for you Elvis fans) to accentuate the evolving glory that is your springtime garden.

* It is gladioli planting time. The best location for these bulbs is in a well-drained location protected from the wind. If the rains don't come, water weekly after the spikes pop out of the ground.

* If you want stronger, bushier plants with more flower power, prepare to give them a pinch. Pinching back encourages branching and more compact growth. This is especially true for such popular ornamentals as petunias, annual salvias and zinnias. The herb basil also benefits from being pinched back.

* Have a constant urge to fertilize your plants? Add nutrients at a controlled, safe rate by watering with manure tea or diluted fish emulsion once a month.

* If your azaleas, gardenias, hydrangeas, magnolias and rhododendrons have begun to look sickly with yellow leaves streaked by green veins, this could be a sign of iron chlorosis. This disorder can be easily cured with a light application of Epsom salt around the base of each plant.

* Whether it is for the lawn or the garden, when you water, water deeply. Long, thorough waterings encourage roots to penetrate down into the soil, and thus make plants less susceptible to the detrimental effects of hot, dry weather.

* If they haven't been sprayed with herbicides, grass clippings can be used for mulch, but spread the cuttings out on the driveway or sidewalk to dry for at least a day before using in the garden.

* Have an old mail box in the garage? Nail it to a post in the garden as a weather-resistant storage container for string, plant tags, twist-ties, hand tools and other small, backyard-growing essentials.

* A mini-garden for apartment or condo dwellers is possible with a bale of hay. Just locate it in a sunny area, poke holes in the top and sides of the bale, put plants in the holes with a little bit of dirt and water regularly (with water-soluble fertilizer occasionally added). Don't overcrowd plants.

* Recycling comes natural with gardeners, so think about turning all those leftover soda cans into something useful: plant labels. Simply cut square strips with scissors (watch out for jagged edges) and use a ballpoint pen to indent permanent impressions in the soft metal on the unpainted side.

* Speaking of recycling, you are looking at a good source for mulch. A great weed block to combine with organic mulches is a layer of three to four pages of newspaper. Put on the ground first and then covered with mulch, this paper barrier will prevent many weeds from invading the garden for at least one growing season before decomposing.

* With the heat beginning to build, the time of cool-season vegetables such as broccoli, collards, lettuce, spinach and kale is ending. Begin removing spent and bolting plants to provide more room for summer veggies.

* We have had a long winter and a cool spring, so if you have waited to begin your summer vegetable garden until now, you are one smart gardener. With the temperatures finally up, it is time to get those veggies in the ground. Fill your beds with such delectable delights as tomatoes, beans, peppers, okra, squash, cucumbers, eggplants and watermelons.

* When planting tomato transplants, take advantage of the warm soil close to the surface (which induces root growth) by planting the tomatoes parallel to the ground in trenches rather than in deep holes. For an even stronger root system, bury all but the upper 3 inches of each plant.

Blossom end rot is common on tomatoes, but watch out for it on peppers, squash and watermelons, too. To help prevent this problem, avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers and mulch around plants to even out the moisture supply through the long, hot summer.

* Strawberries that are picked early in the day keep best. Also, storing them in covered containers in the refrigerator helps to keep them fresh.

* Had trouble with black spot in your rose bed? Installing a drip irrigation system or using a soaker hose in the bed will help prevent its occurrence and spread.

* If you want sweet rather than bitter cucumbers, mulch the plants and put them on a regular watering schedule. Cukes don't store well on the vine, so pick early and pick often.

* The temperature has warmed up enough to bring houseplants out for a summer vacation. Just be sure to locate them in areas that receive filtered shade most of the day to prevent sunscald.

* Don't forget to clean the birdbath and refill it with fresh water at least once a week.

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