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A. Many gardeners use plastic to keep soil from splashing on plants—especially plants like squash. It can also help cut down on weeds. But, you want to use black plastic, rather than clear. For one thing, it will keep the soil cooler than clear plastic, which can cause over-heating. Think about tinted windows in a car and how they make a difference. In addition, the clear plastic can act like a greenhouse to promote weed growth.

When cutting the holes for the plant, sink the plastic to channel water to the plant, rather than sitting on top of the plastic. If you like, you can cover the plastic with mulch.

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Pink Skullcap (Scutellaria suffrutescens)
This low-growing evergreen makes a great groundcover or border plant, even in drought! It can get up to a foot high, though is easily pruned and shaped. After a few years, it will mound and spread, its small leaves a foil to the deep pink flowers from spring to frost. It works in sun to part shade, and can handle east side heavy soils or well-drained sites. Prune in late winter to promote new growth, though it can be shaped at any time. Very drought tolerant once established, though supplemental water extends the bloom time.

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• Time to get in cut flowers, like zinnia, cosmos, cleome, and celosia. If you don’t use the whole packet of seeds, put them in a jar in the refrigerator or other cool place until next year.
• Remember to leave bulb foliage alone until it fully browns. Some of our early bulbs look pretty ratty right now, but it’s better to wait. Do remove iris stalks after they bloom.
• If you decide to spray bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to fend off caterpillars, keep in mind that it will destroy your butterfly larvae as well. Use it selectively.
• For bolting parsley: leave plants to attract swallowtails to lay their eggs.
• Prune spring flowering shrubs and trees.
  

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