Gardening Notes For June

 

Summer has arrived!   The days are wonderfully long, the rains are frequent, and although the temperatures have been generally been cooler this year, the temperatures can certainly rival those of July and August.  June is filled with chores that linger from spring, as well as preparations necessary for the garden to continue to thrive well into late fall.  Enjoy the coolness of the early morning and evenings for those tasks requiring the most exertion, with the heat of the day reserved for watering and other light duties.  Also, don’t forget to sit down with a cold ice tea to write in your journal and to enjoy the fruits of your efforts.  

Things to do:

  • Finish decorating containers and mixed borders with annuals and tropicals.  Do not be bashful about using larger and bolder plants such as Bananas and Cannas.
  • Fertilize annuals with a liquid feed once per week through June to give them a good start.  If you used slow release fertilizer in your containers, use a 50% dilute solution of liquid feed.  During hot periods, containers may need to be watered twice per day, especially if they are in the sun and the pots are smaller than 12”.
  • Cut turf weekly.  During periods of drought, irrigate the turf for extended periods in the early morning, promoting deep root growth.  As the summer heat begins, raise the cutting height to 3” to reduce the stress on the turf.
  • Harvest spinach, lettuce, radishes and arugula daily.  As the days become hotter, these cool weather plants will produce flowers or ‘bolt’, so it is important to harvest while the plants are smaller.  Once the plants begin to bolt, remove them and plant summer squash, okra, cucumbers, pole beans, or other vegetables that will provide a yield in 65-70 days (September into October).
  • It is not too late to plant tomatoes.  Planting in June often avoids the problems with late blight too!
  • Mulch vegetables with newsprint or cardboard covered with straw, reducing weeds and water loss.  This is ideal for Heirloom tomatoes that need consistent soil moisture.
  • Stop harvesting asparagus and rhubarb.   They need to produce stalks and leaves of sufficient size in order to develop the energy reserves for next year’s harvest.
  • Resist the urge to remove the yellowing foliage of Daffodils and other bulbs until it has totally turned brown.  Similar to asparagus, the foliage is producing the carbohydrates or stored energy for next year’s floral display.
  • For woody plants, pinch off most of the water sprouts that you see growing from branches or stems, typically at points where they were pruned off this past winter!  Removing them as they start to grow discourages future dormant bud break.
  • Weed!  If you have deer, apply a deer spray weekly or after a heavy rain.  It is best to rotate weekly between three different types of sprays for best effects.
  • Deadhead May blooming Iris to reduce the occurrence of the Iris borer.  Study the blooms of your Iris; if the blooms are few and the foliage is limp or overly dense, the plant either needs division or to be moved to a more sunny location.  Deadhead the Peonies as they finish bloom and lightly fertilize repeat blooming daylilies and Roses at the end of the month for a good August/September bloom.