MY GARDEN PATH: Planting time!

It's looking like the cold nights are behind us. But, just to be on the safe side, keep checking those forecasts. After all the time and care you've put into those plants you sure don't lose them to one cold night.

If you have trees or vines which are prone to being attacked by bugs that destroy the leaves, now is the time to dig in some systemic granules or a liquid that's made to kill the little pests.

Along that same line are aphids that attack maple trees. Lots of folks blame the maple trees for dripping sap all over. It's really not the trees doing that, but the aphids. These can be killed by using those same systemics.

You may want to prune your tall asters and mums by late May and again in July. Cut them down about halfway each time and you'll have nice stocky plants for fall.

Now that the rose bushes have leafed out, be sure to pluck and trash those old dead leaves. Dig some nice granulated fertilizer around the base and you're in business. Be sure to choose one with a high middle number as that one is for flowers.

If your rose bush starts producing small dark red blossoms instead of the kind it's always had before, it means that your original rose bush has been winter killed. This happens because your original plant was grafted onto a hardy root system called Dr. Huey. This happens to be a climber so it will become very tall. Most people don't want it so they tear it out. I'm with them.

If and when you plant a new grafted rose be sure to plant it deeply enough that the grafted knob is a bit underground. That often keeps them from winter-kill. The miniature roses are the easiest ones to grow. They're not grafted, but grown on their own roots which are much hardier.

When it comes to tulips, you need to let them keep their leaves for a while after they finish blooming, three weeks is long enough for them to get ready for next spring's flowers.

If you'd like to hear some interesting speakers, you would probably enjoy going to some garden meetings. River City Garden Club meets every third Wednesday except December. The place is the Post Falls library located at 821 N. Spokane St. in Post Falls. Time is 6 p.m. If you decide to join, yearly dues are only $15 a year. It's the same for either an individual or a family. Give it a try…I bet you'll like it.

Now is a good time to plant gladiolas. To increase their blooming season, plant them by thirds: 1/3 of them now, 1/3 of them in two weeks and the remaining 1/3 of them two weeks after that. Plant them deeply, adding some fertilizer at that time.

Keep this advice in mind, “If you rest, you rust.”

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Elaine Cerny has gardened most of her life, starting in 4-H. She has belonged to garden clubs in three states and is currently an active member of the River City Gardeners Club in Post Falls. Her column has appeared in The Press every other Sunday from early March until late October for the past 14 years.