Organic Herbs Online information, tips and advice

* Corn. Now is a good time to sow corn seeds. They'll germinate and plants will get established much faster in warm soils. Try one of the new Triplesweet hybrids--'Avalon' (white), All-America Selections winner 'Honey Select' (yellow), or 'Serendipity' (bicolor)--which have been developed for their blend of sweetness, good flavor, and crunchy texture. Order from Park's Seeds (.com or 800/845-3369).

* Herbs. To make sure you have plenty of basil and cilantro to use in your kitchen through the summer and fall, start a new crop of seeds every six to eight weeks. For pesto, try 'Italian Pesto', 'Profuma di Genova', or 'Salad Leaf' basil. For cooking or to use as a garnish, grow flavored kinds such as 'Mrs. Burns' Lemon' or the Thai variety 'Siam Queen'. For cilantro, choose a variety that is slow to flower and set seed ('Slow-bolt' is one). All are available from Renee's Garden at local nurseries and online (.com).

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* Plants for Dad. Nurseries carry many plants that would make perfect Father's Day gifts. Choose a blooming bonsai, bougainvillea, daylily, or gardenia in a decorative pot. Or for a gift that keeps on giving, consider a citrus tree, such as a dwarf 'Eureka' lemon or 'Bearss' lime.

MAINTENANCE

* Check sprinklers. Turn on the irrigation system and inspect sprinklers to see if they're working properly. Replace any broken heads (often indicated by spouting water). If a head is bubbling or squirting irregularly, it may just be clogged or not sealed correctly; check slits for dirt or small pebbles before replacing the head. To readjust a head that is misaligned, rotate the head until it sprays in the right direction.

* Feed plants. Actively growing plants like roses, warm-season lawns, and annual flowers and vegetables will benefit from fertilizing now.

* Mulch. To help control weeds, minimize water evaporation, and keep roots cooler, apply a 2- to 4-inch-thick layer of organic material under shrubs, trees, and vines, and on flower and vegetable beds. (Use a thicker layer for large plants, a thinner layer on flowers and vegetables.) Keep mulch several inches away from stems and trunks.

PEST CONTROL

* Spray roses. Aphids, black spot, mites, powdery mildew, rust, and whiteflies can cause moderate to severe damage on roses. Neem oil (such as Green Light Rose Defense; .com or 210/494-3481 to order), a biodegradable product with a low level of toxicity to humans and animals, controls all of these pests and diseases. Spray both sides of leaves and stems thoroughly.

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Divide iris

Refresh clumps of bearded iris and gain new plants by dividing their underground stems (called rhizomes) anytime after bloom; in desert areas, wait until soil cools in fall.

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1 With a spading fork or a spade, gently lift rhizomes from the ground and shake off soil. With a knife, cut the parent rhizome into segments so each has its own leaf fan. With pruning shears, trim leaves to about 6 inches.

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2 Let cuts heal for a few hours, then replant divisions 1 foot apart so leaf fans are parallel and facing full sun. Set rhizomes barely below the surface; in hot-summer areas, cover with 1/2 inch of soil.