In June, as our weather transitions from warm and mild to dry and torrid, we should use the first half of the month to make last minute “tweaks” to our garden landscapes.
Application of most types of fertilizer, with the exception of palm tree food should end. Completing this process will help to protect any delicate growth that may be damaged by summer’s intense heat and sun.
Make sure that your irrigation drips are clean and functioning and that you are set for The Water District Summer Schedule.
Many plants having completed their spring flowering will enter into a “summer dormancy period. This is nature’s way of conserving plant energy so that plants can “rest” and wait for cooler days to grow again.
Roses, for example, stop significant flowering during summer. Therefore, prune away spent flowers (deadheading) as well as removing any rosehips that have developed on the stems. Following this pruning policy will stimulate fall blooming.
If your garden, however, has flowering plants adapted to our summer climate (such as lantana, lavender, etc.) you should prune away spent flowers and apply “high phosphorous” plant food to encourage continued blooming. Remember that Palm trees flourish in our summer months and therefore application of fertilizer should continue during the summer.
Refrain from planting new items in your garden by mid-June unless you have properly prepared them for our harsh climate. This can be done by carefully placing them in the location desired while being kept in their pots and slowly increasing the amount of time they are exposed to sun and temperature until they have adapted.
This process tends to be more successful when dealing with drought tolerant and native plants such as cactus, yucca and agave.
The appropriate amounts and the frequency of irrigation provided to your plants are key factors to their survival! Non-natives should be watered once or twice every day for 30 minutes.
Native plants should be watered 1-3 times per week for 10-15 minutes. Do not irrigate during bright sunlight hours! Water droplets remaining on leaves and stems can magnify the sun’s rays burning and damaging plants.
Have questions? Contact me at: Theplantwhisperer28@gmail.com
