| Ornamentals |
- Deadhead bulbs and spring flowering perennials as blossoms fade.
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- Watch for bagworms feeding on many garden plants, but especially juniper and arborvitae.
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- Thin seedlings to proper spacings before plants crowd each other.
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- Plant tropical water lilies when water temperatures rise above 70 degrees.
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- When night temperatures stay above 50 degrees, bring houseplants outdoors for the summer.
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- Apply a balanced rose fertilizer after the first show of blooms is past.
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- Rhizomatous begonias are not just for shade. Many varieties, especially those with bronze foliage, do well in full sun if given plenty of water and a well-drained site.
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- Most houseplants brought outside prefer a bright spot shaded from afternoon sun. Check soil moisture daily during hot weather.
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- Apply organic mulches as the soil warms. These will conserve moisture, discourage weeds, and enrich the soil as they decay.
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- Apply a second spray for borer control on hardwood trees.
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- Softwood cuttings can be taken from trees and shrubs as the spring flush of growth is beginning to mature.
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- Continue spraying roses with a fungicide to prevent black spot disease.
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- Tired of the same old foundation plantings? Find fresh ideas among the evergreens planted in the Dwarf Conifer collection.
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- Trees and shrubs may still be fertilized before July 4th.
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- Pruning of spring flowering trees and shrubs should be completed before the month's end.
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| Lawns |
- Water turf as needed to prevent drought stress.
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- Mow lawns frequently enough to remove no more than one-third the total height per mowing. There is no need to remove clippings unless excessive.
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- Gradually increase the mowing height of zoysia lawns throughout the summer. By September, the mowing height should be 2 to 2.5 inches.
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- Mow bluegrass at 2 to 3.5 inch height. Turfgrasses growing in shaded conditions should be mowed at the higher recommendations.
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- Zoysia can be fertilized now while actively growing. Do not exceed 2-3 pounds of actual nitrogen fertilizer per l000 sq. ft. per year.
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| Vegetables |
- Repeat plantings of corn and beans to extend the harvest season.
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- Plant pumpkins now to have Jack-o-lanterns for Halloween.
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- As soon as cucumber and squash vines start to 'run,' begin spray treatments to control cucumber beetles and squash vine borers.
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- Set out transplants of Brussels sprouts started last month. These will mature for a fall harvest.
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- Soaker hoses and drip irrigation systems make the most efficient use of water during dry times.
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- To minimize diseases, water with overhead irrigation early enough in the day to allow the foliage to dry before nightfall.
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- Start seedlings of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. These will provide transplants for the fall garden.
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- Stop harvesting asparagus when the spears become thin.
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- Control corn earworms. Apply several drops of mineral oil every 3 to 7 days once silks appear. Sprays of Bt are also effective.
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- To maximize top growth on asparagus, apply 2 pounds of 12-12-12 fertilizer per l00 sq. ft., water well and renew mulches to conserve moisture.
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| Fruits |
- Oriental fruit moths emerge. They are most serious on peaches where the first generation attacks growing tips. Wilted shoots should be pruned out.
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- Thinning overloaded fruit trees will result in larger and healthier fruits at harvest time. Thinned fruits should be a hands-width apart.
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- Enjoy the strawberry harvest.
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- Renovate strawberries after harvest. Mow the rows; thin out excess plants; remove weeds; fertilize and apply a mulch for weed control.
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- Summer fruiting raspberries are ripening now.
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- Begin control for apple maggot flies. Red painted balls that have been coated with tanglefoot may be hung in apple trees to trap egg-laying females.
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- Spray trunks of peach trees and other stone fruits for peach tree borers.
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- Prune and train young fruit trees to eliminate poorly positioned branches and to establish proper crotch angles.
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| Miscellaneous |
- When using any gas powered equipment, be sure to allow the engine a few minutes to cool before refilling empty fuel tanks.
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- A mailbox mounted on a nearby post makes a handy place to store and keep dry any small tools, seeds, labels, etc. frequently used in the garden.
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