June Gardening Tips
- Fertilize Annuals and Perennials for early summer. Apply at half strength during this drought
- Clean up fallen citrus fruit and debris to prevent pests
- Replenish mulch to a minimum of 2” thick especially during this drought
- Cultivate the surface of mulch to prevent crusting and to allow water to percolate
- Adjust lawn mower blade height for late-spring to summer months. Keep blades sharp to avoid “tearing” leaf blades. Raise mower cutting height to 3” or more during this drought
- Program irrigation controllers for this summer and reduce by 20% for drought response
- Control aphids, scale and mealy bugs using integrated pest management techniques. Treat small populations with low impact products such as Safer Soap
- Water container plants whenever soil has dried 1 inch below the surface
- Remove dead flowers to encourage more blooms
- Early summer is time to apply an organic granular rose and flower fertilizer
- Complete pruning of spring flowering shrubs. Prune lightly during this drought
- Plant summer edibles
- Control weeds to help reduce drought stress on ornamental plants
Consult the Drought Resources section of the Gardenworks Inc. website for more drought response tips