In June, we begin having intensive sun, high temperatures and minimum rainfall. Accordingly, we must properly prepare our gardens and landscapes for our upcoming summer season.
Our important concern is whether we are providing appropriate irrigation. In the summer months, non-desert plants should receive 30 minutes of irrigation twice a daily (six days a week).
The morning scheduling should take place no later than 7am with evening scheduling taking place around dusk (8pm). Desert plants should be irrigated for 5-10 minutes once a week.
Remember, however, that palm trees are NOT desert plants and in fact, require a great deal of watering during summer months. During the first part of June, complete any upgrades to your irrigation systems by adding new drips and/or repositioning drips and fixing leaks to provide for plant health and growth.
Another concern that you may have is whether you can add new plantings to your garden in June. You can add new non-natives during the first 2 weeks of the month making sure that they get acclimated and receive additional irrigation until they settle in.
Natives can be planted through the rest of the month while palm trees should be planted during the warmer summer months. In addition, palms should be fertilized during the warm summer months (June-August).
By the end of June, many of the flowers on your plants will have bloomed and now is the time to prune them back (dead heading). Remember that roses, as well as other flowering plants, go into a summer dormancy so complete pruning before the hot temperatures arrive!
During the hot summer months, many of your plants may experience “heatstress” making them more vulnerable to insects, disease and certain nutrient deficiencies. Therefore, check for damage and treat with appropriate insect/disease controls.
Yellowing leaves might indicate iron deficiency (chlorosis) which may require iron supplements to leaves and/or roots. Make sure that rock mulch is not too close to plant stems since the summer sun can raise ground temperatures to over 160 degrees! Your garden’s well-being is in your hands so.. be vigilant!
Have any questions? Contact me at:Theplantwhisperer28@gmail
