Special Column for La Poz

Darrell Blackwelder

May 20, 2005

June is the transition month when warm turns to hot and many of our gardening chores are just getting started. Below is a list of June gardening chores for those that garden.

*June is the month to renovate strawberry beds.  Thin berries to 12 inches apart and remove runners.  Fertilize with a complete fertilizer and water during the summer. Keep the plants as weed free as possible to promote good growth and bud set in August.

*Brown patch arrives in cool-season lawns.  Mow lawns when grass is dry. Avoid fertilizer now especially nitrogen.

*Wooly aphids arrive in early June.  These insects can be particularly annoying for those that have silver maples. There is no practical control for the pest.

*Japanese beetles arrive, usually after a warm summer shower.  Sevin dust easily kills the grub.

*Tomatoes start blossom end rot just before ripening.  Blossom-end rot can best be controlled with even watering practices.  Liming the soil to may help reduce this physiological problem.

*Now is the time to plant okra, sweet potatoes, black-eyed peas and other warm season crops.

*Daylilies are at their peak at the end of this month.  Plant continuous blooming plants for blooms throughout the summer.

*Those that wish to reseed lawns should have their soil tested this month so soil amendments can be made before planting in early fall.  Soil sample boxes are available from the Extension Office.

*Extra mulch around vegetables, especially tomatoes and beans will help conserve water and reduce weeds.

*Pumpkins need to be planted early this month.  Most take between 110 and 120 days to mature. 

*Honey bees are busy pollinating cucurbits and other plants.  Be careful and spray late in the evening to avoid unnecessary bee kills.

*Continue to pinch back herbs and dead head roses and other flowers.

*Continue to spray fruit trees on a regular basis to prevent insect and disease problems.

Darrell Blackwelder is an agricultural agent in charge of horticulture with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service in Rowan County. For archived garden columns or other information, visit the Rowan County Master Gardener web site at www.rowanmastergardener.com , e-mail Darrell_Blackwelder@ncsu.edu