Timely Hints
Your Gardening To Do List For June 2013
Plant …
- Heat loving color! Sun lovers include Zinnias, Lantana, Periwinkle (Vinca), and Pentas.
- For shade you can plant Caladiums (bunch them together for the best show), Impatiens, Coleus, and Torenia.
- For tropical patio color, plant Mandevillia, Allamanda, Hibiscus, Euryops Daisy, and Duranta … these will spice up your outdoor living area.
- Plant Perennials! You know we’ll have the “RIGHT” ones for you that provide color and are well-adapted. See our
recommendations for Shade and Sun perennials under the Plant Care tab. - Container Trees and large shrubs can be planted. Invest in a Treegator® bag for the best results for keeping your trees and shrubs irrigated.
- We recommend postponing planting large Balled & Burlapped trees until our fall due to summer’s heat.
Prune …
As necessary to shape. Try to let plants grow naturally and “pick prune” rather than “hedge”. (Remember what we taught you in pruning class! Or plan to attend our next one this fall.)
Fertilize …
Time for the second application of Gardenville 7-2-2. We had numerous testimonials from customers that the Gardenville helped their turf survive the water restrictions well. Use Colorscapes or Color Star on blooming plants – annuals, perennials, and especially planted color bowls and tropicals to keep them happy and blooming all summer.
Water …
As Needed. We have helpful handouts in the nursery and online at our website under the “Plant Care” link. Hand-water newly planted plants daily for the first two weeks to make sure they get established. Even drought tolerant plants need this extra care in the beginning until they get settled in. Remember to use your Treegator® bag as an efficient watering tool on large trees and shrubs. Consider converting your planting beds to drip irrigation. Water efficient properties are going to become the “norm” just as energy efficient homes have become. You’ll recoup your investment in drip irrigation along with having a nice looking landscape. Remember to have someone take care of your potted containers while on vacation. Or we can help you re-plant them when you return. Check out our Useful Links page for a link to your cities infomation about Stage 3 Water Restrictions and watering advice.
Pests … 
Check shrubbery and Crape Myrtles for scale. We carry Horticultural Oil, which is a very good control product. Get some BT (bacillus thurengensis) to control webworms and/or bagworms. It’s an organic control so it is safe around people, pets, and wildlife. Just don’t apply it to host plants of those butterflies you’ve been admiring. Spread “Soil Sulphur” granules on dry turf areas to prevent those dreaded ‘chiggers’. Check newly planted trees for borers, we have a product that will control them for up to 12 months.
Other…
Mulch – to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperatures (click here for a COUPON for Mulch)
Mosquitos – we carry a granular product called “Cedarcide", which can be spread to reduce mosquitoes. Use ‘Mosquito Dunks’ in fountains and ponds to kill them when they are in their larvae stage. We have Mosquito Sticks that smell great and will ward them off while outdoors.
Veggies…
Fertilize with Lady Bug soil food for healthy growth.
Mulch all of your veggies with compost to prevent soil particles getting on foliage and causing disease problems.
Sprinkle Horticultural Corn Meal over the mulch to hinder soil borne diseases.
Check daily and harvest in the cooler hours of the AM and PM. Remember how quick that squash can grow overnight. If you have excess, donate to local food banks.