Early Summer Garden Calendar Summer weather is here! There are many gardening tasks to get done now before the hot, dry heat of July and August arrive. This June Gardening Calendar is a handy checklist of chores that need to be completed soon.
Vegetables and Fruits
• Fertilize strawberries and water regularly to promote new growth
• Plant another crop of sweet corn and green beans
• Watch tomatoes for foliar leaf disease development and treat
• Mulch crops for moisture conservation and weed control
• Continue a regular fruit disease and insect control program
• Treat peach trees for trunk borers
• Remove sucker growth from base of trees and along branches
• Pinch herbs to keep bushy and fresh with new growth
• Turn compost pile and keep moist for a quicker breakdown
Flowers
• Pinch chrysanthemums for development of a bushy plant
• Deadhead spent flower blossoms to keep plants flowering
• Remove flower stalks from peonies and iris
• Mulch flower gardens for the summer to conserve moisture, control weeds and cool the soil
• Water plants as needed
• Fertilize roses with about 1 cup of low analysis fertilizer per plant
• Trim spent rose blossoms
• Check plants for insects
• Remove dead foliage from spring bulbs
• Water and fertilize container plantings regularly to encourage growth and flowering
Lawns
• Raise mowing height on bluegrass and tall fescue to 3” or 3 ½” for summer heat resistance
• Spot treat for broadleaf weeds
• Let grass clippings fall for nutrient recycling
• Water the turf sparingly to increase drought tolerance during heat of summer. Let turf wilt between watering for best results
• Check mower blade for sharpness and sharpen as needed
• Check lawn mower engine oil and add or change according to owners’ manual
Trees and Shrubs
• Check for bagworms and control as needed
• Mulch around the bases of trees and shrubs to conserve moisture
• Prune pines and spruces to shape and control size
• Water newly planted trees and shrubs as needed
• Prune spring flowering shrubs
• Do not damage tree trunks with mowers and weed whips
• Check for spider mite damage on various shrubs
• Clip hedges as needed to maintain shape If you have any lawn or garden questions, please contact your local Extension Office. Happy Gardening!
Post Rock Extension District of KState Research and Extension serves Jewell, Lincoln, Mitchell, Osborne, and Smith counties. Cassie may be contacted at [email protected] or by calling Beloit (785-738-3597)
