JUNE IS HERE WHICH MEANS SUMMER TO MANY PEOPLE BUT THERE ARE PLENTY OF GARDENING CHORES TO KEEP US BUSY OUTSIDE
Gardening is the #1 hobby for Americans – now more than ever. I say this because many of us are conflicted about the months of lockdown that have mostly kept us in our homes and we’re feeling cheated because many of our spring and summer sports, events, and activities have been disappearing.
But, not gardening. Gardening has seen a resurgence these past few months. Being among plants and being outside and gardening is helping to strengthen our mental and physical well being. We are getting fresh air, exercise, and a healthier diet by growing our own vegetables, herbs, and fruits. We need to keep gardening!
HERE ARE A FEW JUNE GARDENING TASKS
- As we warm-up for the summer, don’t lose sight of using good watering habits when gardening. Water early in the morning to reduce evaporation. Use soaker hoses in the flower and vegetable gardens. BE WATER WISE!!
- MOWING THE LAWN – let the grass clippings stay on the lawn. Grass clippings contribute very little, if any, to thatch formation. It makes good sense to return clippings to the lawn. Fresh-cut grass clippings are usually 75 to 80% water, and they readily decompose, recycling the nutrients and organic matter back to the lawn. GRASS RECYCLING!
- Clean and refill your hummingbird feeder with clean sugar water every few days so a fungus harmful to the bird does not develop in the feeder.
- With the warmer weather upon us, check your annuals, vegetables, and perennials for pest, especially aphids on the new growth. An infestation of aphids can be easily controlled with a soap and water bath or a safe product such as CAPTAIN JACK’S DEAD BUG BREW, which is organic and safe to use on vegetables and other edibles. REMEMBER, MOST INSECTS IN THE GARDEN ARE NOT PESTS BUT CAN BE BENEFICIAL. Learn the difference and be careful using chemicals unnecessarily.
- For many gardeners, the foliage from daffodils, tulips, and other spring-flowering bulbs is now beginning to yellow and die. Once this foliage “gives” with a gentle tug, it can be safely removed.
With May being such a nice, cool, and moist month, June is set up to be a good planting month. So, if you are running behind on your planting of annuals or perennials June is still a good planting month.
HAPPY GARDENING AND PLANT A LITTLE HAPPINESS!!!!!!
Dear Doug, last year around end of August I told you my blue hydrangeas did not bloom once again. The 5th year in a row. This planting was done by Meadow farms along with other things . You advised me to prune them back Then and I did. So far, no buds or blooms again!
This week we found a sprinkler head in the ground behind these bushes. Some of the soil around it was very saturated. Could this be the cause of no blooms?
Dolores,
If the ground is saturated then it could be the culprit. The soil could be lacking the needed nutrients to the hydrangea to thrive and produce the flower buds. Now is a good time to feed the plants. And, I would recommend that you add some TRIPLE SUPER PHOSPHATE around each of the hydrangeas. Phosphate helps to promote good root growth and blossom setting. Good luck, Doug