June in the Garden

Tasks in the garden at the beginning of summer.

  • Topic: Summer Care
  • Keywords: spring blooming, pruning, fertilize, Maintenance, gardens
  • Date: June 2002

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Now that the spring bulbs are done, the spring blooming shrubs have finished and the heat of summer approaches, we are at a transition point in the garden. The first and most important chore we can do to keep the garden looking good is to dead-head faded flowers. Early and mid-spring blooming perennials like Alyssum, Aubrietia, creeping Phlox, and others should be sheared back to remove the old blooms and groom the plants so their foliage looks good through the remainder of the growing season. Spring blooming bulbs can be cut back to ground-level as soon as the foliage begins to turn brown.

Spring blooming shrubs like Forsythia, Spring blooming Butterfly Bush (Buddleia alternifolia), Lilacs, flowering Almonds, and flowering Quince can be pruned. Pruning them now allows the shrubs to grow vigorous new shoots that will produce next spring’s flowers. In the case of Lilacs, removal of the seeds before they ripen will conserve the plants energy and promote more profuse flowers next spring.

Fertilize Trees and Shrubs in Early June

June is the optimum time to fertilize deciduous trees and shrubs. They have recharged their depleted winter food reserves with photosynthesis from their new foliage and are ready to absorb nutrients that will fuel this summers growth. I recommend Gro-Power 5-3-1 or Yum Yum Mix. Yum Yum mix is also ideal to give a gentle boost to perennials in the garden that are looking a little tired. Note that perennials should receive their main fertilizer application in the fall (or early spring if you missed the fall).

Mulch, Mulch, Mulch

In the arid West, mulching is an important water conservation tool. Make sure your garden soil is well covered. Mulch shades the ground, reducing water evaporation and keeps the soil cooler for better plant growth. Note that in areas of the country where slugs are a problem, avoid organic mulches like compost and bark chips which can attract these slimy pests populations. Instead, using crushed gravel will be your best mulch choice.

Prepare for Beautiful Summer Blooming Shrubs

Now is a critical time to get summer blooming shrubs like Butterfly bush (Buddleia) and Blue Mist Spirea (Caryopteris) ready for a fabulous summer display. Be sure to irrigate well due to the scanty rain and fertilize (see the above paragraph). If you missed cutting back your Buddleia earlier in the spring you can still prune them back modestly to encourage the new growth that gives rise to those butterfly and hummingbird attracting flowers.