June Gardening Checklist
June is bustin' out all over!!
Happy June! I’ve never loved the musical Carousel, but I do find myself singing “June is Bustin’ Out All Over” in the garden right about now!
I am back from the UK and the Chelsea Flower Show, and in the next week or so I will have all kinds of reflections on my very first Chelsea experience — from a very North American perspective. It was invigorating, illuminating, and inspiring. So be sure you are SUBSCRIBED so you’ll be the first to get those posts!
We are coming up on the summer solstice, and for those of us in the northern hemisphere, the days are longer than at any time of the year. Our plants know and feel that, too, and they respond with enormous spurts of growth – and flowers galore! As gardeners, we have to support them, so they can be at their best.
Here’s your June gardening checklist to keep everything thriving through the summer.
🌹 Feed Your Blooming Beauties
Blooming takes a lot out of a plant, especially heavy bloomers like roses. While they’re generally low-maintenance, they really benefit from a good feed at this time of year. An organic granular feed will last for a few months—just make sure to follow the instructions.
If you prefer a lighter touch, a weekly dose of organic seaweed or all-purpose feed works beautifully. Top it off with a layer of compost or mulch around the base to help retain moisture and keep roots happy.
🧄 Snip Those Garlic Scapes
If you planted hardneck garlic and see those curly little shoots—those are garlic scapes. Left alone, they’ll flower, which can lead to smaller garlic bulbs.
Follow the stem of the scape down as far as you can and snip it off (without removing any leaves). Bonus: garlic scapes are delicious. My favorite way to use them? Chop them up and mix them into softened butter, then freeze it. It’s incredible on grilled veggies, steaks, or just slathered on fresh bread.
🌳 Don’t Forget the Trees
We all remember to water our veggies and flowers, but trees need love too—especially during dry summers.
Here in the Mountain West, I water my trees once a week, deeply. Early morning or late evening is best to reduce evaporation and give your trees a chance to soak up that moisture. Deep, infrequent watering between rainstorms keeps your trees healthy long-term.
🍅 Support Your Tomatoes
If you haven’t already, now is the time to trellis your tomatoes. There are tons of ways to do it, but one of the simplest is using twine tied to an overhead support. Anchor it with a landscaping staple and gently tie the plant as it grows.
I’ve also upcycled old bed frames—they work like a charm! Whatever method you choose, the keys are light and airflow. Keep those tomatoes supported and happy.
For more about my tomato-growing set up, check out this post!
✂️ Deadhead for More Blooms
As your repeat bloomers, like roses, start to flush out with flowers, deadheading is the secret to extended blooming.
Cutting off spent flowers tells the plant to bloom again instead of going to seed. Just follow the stem down to the next full leaf and snip. That little action triggers a hormonal response that encourages more flowers—yes, it’s that easy!
🪴 Mind Your Pots
Outdoor potted plants dry out quickly, especially in the heat. Check them daily for signs of stress, and consider using ollas (unglazed clay watering vessels) in your pots to help keep the soil moist and cut back on constant watering.
For more about using ollas, check out this post!
☀️ Enjoy the Long Days
These long, golden evenings are made for relaxing in the garden, maybe even a little late-day weeding or harvesting. June is such a magical month—don’t forget to enjoy it!
If you have gardening questions, drop them in the comments—I’d love to help.
And if this post was helpful, don’t forget to like and subscribe to stay in the loop.
Happy gardening! 🌿
Angela
Angela, I love your posts. Right now I'm tapped out. One of the reasons I like your posts is because you are "anti-peat moss." Believe it or not today, "June 2nd is World Peatlands Day!" Check out www.ips.org for more information. my organization the "Peatlands Protection Society" is celebrating it by letting the world know about it. I'm researching a new company that sells "Coco Peat," It is coir from Indonesia. I have to admit saying "Coco Peat" is easier than "coir."