Gardening Calendar for June

This calendar is provided as a general guide to gardening activities.

During week 1:
• Watch for bagworms feeding on many garden plants, but especially juniper and arborvitae.
• Early detection is essential for good control of vegetable pests. Learn to identify and distinguish between pests and beneficial predators.
• Oriental fruit moths emerge. Most serious on peaches where first generation attacks growing tips.
• Shoots will wilt. These should be pruned out.During weeks 1-2:
• Repeat plantings of corn and beans to extend the harvest season.
• As soon as cucumber and squash vines start to run, begin spray treatments to control cucumber beetles and squash vine borers.
• Plant pumpkins now to have Jack-o-lanterns for Halloween.
• Zoysia can be fertilized now while actually growing. Do not exceed 2-3 pounds of actual nitrogen fertilizer per 1000 sq. ft. per year.
During weeks 2-3:
• Apply organic mulches as the soil warms. These will conserve moisture, discourage weeds and enrich the soil as they decay.
• Most houseplants brought outside prefer a bright spot shaded from afternoon soon. Check soil moisture daily during hot weather.
• Rhizomatous begonias are not just for shade. Many varieties, especially those with bronze foliage, do well in full sun if given plenty of water and a well-drained site.
• Start seedlings of broccoli, cabbage and cauliflower. These will provide transplants for the fall garden.
During weeks 3-4:
• Trees and shrubs may still be fertilized before July 4th.
• Softwood cuttings can be taken from trees and shrubs as the spring flush of growth is beginning tomature.
• Pruning of spring flowering trees and shrubs should be completed before month’s end.
• Control corn earworms. Apply several drops of mineral oil every 3 to 7 days once silks appear. Sprays of B.T. are also effective.
• Prune and train young fruit trees to eliminate poorly positioned branches and to establish proper crotchangles.
• When using any gas powered equipment, be sure to allow the engine a few minutes to cool before refilling empty fuel tanks.
(Missouri Botanical Garden)

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