April showers bring May flowers in most areas of the country but Florida. We are high and dry and usually in need of rain at this time of the year. At least for one more month you still need to use water conserving techniques until the rainy season returns in June.

One way of helping stretch this important resource is to water only when needed. Wait until the plants tell you when they are getting dry. With grass wait until the leaf blades start to curl from side to side in spots and turn a gray green. Also, look for trees, shrubs and flower to show the familiar signs of wilting just a little to turn on the water.

Many plants can go for days without extra water. Also the University of Florida has found allowing some plants to wilt just a little helps them develop a deeper root system. Then when you do water apply enough to wet the soil. For most home sites this is between one-half and three-quarters of an inch of water.

Following are a few more tips to help stretch the time between waterings and prepare plants for drought:

	Maintain a 3 to 4-inch layer around tree and shrub plantings.
	Install microsprinklers that water just the landscape plantings.
	Control weeds that compete for water.
	Increase the mowing height of lawns.
	Check the irrigation system to make sure it is working properly.
	Wait until the rainy season returns to apply scheduled feedings.

Flowers Still Possible During These Dry Times -- Now, just because it's a dry month doesn't mean you have to be without a colorful landscape. Florida has many plants that prefer the hot and dry weather. One in particular is the periwinkle. Actually we have more problems with this plant rotting during the rainy season. A few more flowers to consider for the May garden that
won't mind the hot dry conditions include blue daze, gaillardia, melampodium, portulaca, purslane and verbena.

Good soil preparation is important when establishing new beds of even the drought tolerant flowers. Till the soil deeply and work in liberal quantities of organic matter. Then wet the soil and plant the flowers.

Keep the soil moist after planting until the roots grow out into the surrounding soil. Then gradually reduce the waterings. Wait until the surface inch of soil begins to dry to water the established drought tolerant plantings.

Replant the Vegetable Garden With Tropicals -- When the hot May weather arrives it's also time to replant the vegetable garden with the more tropical crops. As the spring vegetables finish production add new crops that won't mind the heat. Some include the calabaza, chayote, cherry tomato, dasheen, edible ginger, Jerusalem artichoke, Malabar spinach, okra, Southern pea, sweet potato and yam.

Even if you are not familiar with some of these crops give them a try. Starts can often be obtained at your local grocery store. Once established most need the long hot and rainy season to produce vegetables for the table.

Extra May Chores -- A few more chores you need to consider include fertilizing the citrus trees for a second time, feeding the lilies in aquatic gardens, pruning the azaleas, moving tropical plants out doors and making softwood cuttings of your favorite plants.

As for pests, look for more caterpillars to be dining on your favorite plants, chinch bugs in the St. Augustine lawn and thrips in the roses. Where available use a natural control available from your local garden center. Otherwise select a synthetic pesticide and treat only the infested plantings following label instructions.

Have fun and perform all needed work during the cooler times of the day. Also drink lots of water and wear a large hat.

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