June Gardening Tips
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Landscaping Tips
- In June, the warm weather is ideal for the planting your summer annuals if you haven’t
planted them earlier. Perennials like the peonies, roses, iris, delphinium, as well
as some of the later azaleas and rhodies are coming on this month. Be sure and stake
the taller perennials. Plant sunflowers early this month for fall bloom.
- Weed, water and renew or replace mulch.
- You can prune the overlong rhody branches after they bloom. Remember that next years
flower is in this year’s growth so if you prune heavily you may not get blossoms
next year.
- Keep the black spot fungus on your roses under control if possible or plant resistant
varieties. Remember to irrigate rather than sprinkle. Fungal receptive plants like
roses and tomatoes need to be irrigated. On your roses the problem is caused by
a fungus, Diplocarpon rosae. Avoid dense planting, avoid overhead spray and if necessary
spray with a fungicide like Captan, Daconil, Funginex, Banner or Fore but switch
every third or forth application because the fungus develops a resistance if you
use the same fungicide every time.
- Coordinate vacation plans with neighbors, trading gardening care services so you
keep you flowers and grass alive while you’re away.
- Remember to consider native plants in your landscape they are best adapted to this
area. They require substantially less water and are more insect resistant than imported
plants
Vegetable Garden
Mulch to keep down weeds and to prevent the soil surface from drying and to keep
your veggies clean. Thin out carrots and other direct-seeded vegetables to recommended
spacing and eat the thinnings. As the weather settles, finish planting cukes, eggplants,
peppers, squash and tomatoes. Sow basil, beans and corn now if you didn't get it
planted in late May.
Child's Garden
Make a teepee with long heavy willow sticks or bamboo poles and plant pole beans
or gourd seeds around the circle; fasten them up as they grow to make a sheltering
house. Learn a bird's name. Look for ladybugs.
Remember to bring your plant questions to the eastside Master Gardener Clinics held
every Saturday at the Redmond or Issaquah Pickering Barn Farmer’s Markets or the
Squak Mt. Nursery.