June Gardening

• Remove the spent foliage only from spring flowering bulbs that have browned and died back. Then a good application of bone meal or 5-10-5 fertilizer is in order.
• Plant the following veggies now: Lima Beans, Snap Beans, Beets, Black-eyed Peas, Chard, Okra, Pepper Plants, New Zealand Spinach, Summer Squash, Sweet Potato. Select the best varieties for our area!
• Watch for spider mites and caterpillars in the garden. Check trees and evergreens for bagworms.
• Blast the aphids away with a heavy water spray! Keep the slugs clear with a jar lid of beer! (bury it to ground level and the slugs and snails will just jump in - too easy!) Spider mites can be controlled with an insecticide soap. Hand pick caterpillars and bagworms or spray with BT.
• Release beneficial insects. Ladybugs, green lacewings, earthworms and praying mantis are some of the gardeners best friends. We have ladybugs and mantis in stock!
• Spring is the time to fertilize. Use a balanced fertilizer on roses every four to six weeks. Don't forget those potted plants and hanging baskets. Also any producing vegetables in the garden could use a boost of compost.
• Continue to plant annuals. A wide selection is available this month.
• Remove the spent blossoms of flowering plants to keep them flowering.
• Check your lawn for chinch bug infestation. Infected lawns turn yellow, then brown, then they die. For early detection, press one end of an open-ended coffee can 2 inches into the soil. Fill can with water. Keep full of water for 5 minutes. Chinch bugs will float to the surface.
• Continue to treat roses for blackspot if needed.