Reds Garden Center
June is the first month of summer and a busy time in the yard and garden. Maintenance of plantings is the focus of much of this activity.
Shrubs and Trees
- Prune spring-blooming shrubs (forsythia, lilac, mockorange, weigela) after they have flowered.
- Pinch back new candles on pines as soon as they have elongated to create a denser and more compact plant.
- Check landscape shrubs for insect pests; apply control measures before the pests take over. Not sure what kind of critter has invaded your garden or what to do about the pest? Plant care information is readily available from the garden experts at Reds. Call, visit, or email us with your questions.
- Fertilize acid-loving plants such as azalea and rhododendron using an acid-based soluble fertilizer containing iron. This is also a good time to top-dress them with pine bark mulch.
- Deeply water newly planted trees and shrubs every 7–10 days.
Lawn Care
- Apply Weed & Feed now to promote healthy, weed-free lawns.
- Mow lawns regularly, but mow high (2½–3") to provide shade for the grass root system and to discourage the germination of weeds.
- Keep mower blades sharp. Dull blades fray grass tops, leaving a lawn looking ragged and yellow.
- Water as needed to supply a total of 1–1½" of water per week. If left unwatered, lawns become dormant and turn brown. When possible, water early in the morning; late-day watering encourages the growth of plant disease.
Perennials, Annuals, and Bulbs
- Planting flowers is on the agenda this month. From a weather standpoint, it should be "safe" for about all annuals to be planted, whether seed or transplants. Match site conditions with the requirements of the plant, especially full-sun and shade needs. Fertilize with a high nitrogen food until the plants reach full size, then switch to a high-phosphate product for maximum production. Visit Reds Garden Center for an outstanding selection of annuals, perennials, plant-care products, and hanging baskets.
- Pinch back fall-blooming aster and chrysanthemums to encourage branching, compact growth, and flower production. Regularly deadhead annuals and perennials such as geraniums, petunias, marigolds, salvia, and roses to keep the plants in bloom.
- Apply fungicide to prevent and control black spot on roses.
- Deadhead blooms on spring-flowering bulbs but leave the leaves to wither naturally to provide food for next year's growth.
- Mulch landscape beds to keep weeds down and moisture in. When possible, do not overhead-water but use drip irrigation to prevent damage to flower quality.
- Turn hanging baskets 180º every few days to ensure fullness and uniform growth.
Fruits and Vegetables
- Finish planting your summer garden (pumpkins planted now should make fine Jack-O-Lanterns come Halloween) and begin monitoring plantings for insect pests.
- Mulch to control weeds and maintain an even moisture level. Watering and weeding are very important to get plants off to a good start.
- For staked tomato plants, remove suckers (branches that form where the leaf joins the main plant stem) when they are 1–1½" long.