June is the month with the longest daylight hours of the year in the Northern Hemisphere. This means we get more time to spend in the sunshine outdoors. And what better way to spend it than planting and playing in the garden. Here's a few tips and reminders that should give you plenty to do during the month of June.
Fertilization & Feeding
Fertilize the lawn
Bermuda, Centipede, St. Augustine or Zoysia lawns can be fertilized if needed. If your lawn is regularly irrigated, and looks like it needs a boost, you can fertilize with a slow- or quick-release high nitrogen fertilizer. If your lawn is not irrigated on a regular basis you can apply a slow-release lawn fertilizer or mild, natural fertilizer such as Milorganite. If there are many weeds present in your lawn, and you are not planning on overseeding within the next 6 to 8 weeks, you can apply a weed & feed type fertilizer at rates recommend on the product label. If there's only a few weeds, these can be spot-sprayed with the appropriate lawn weed killer for your type of lawn grass.
NOTE: For those who have Centipede or St. Augustine lawns, make sure to use only weed and feed products containing Atrazine which are labelled for use on these grasses.
Correct chlorosis affecting plants or lawn grasses.
If your Centipede lawn or the foliage on some of your shrubs and trees is looking a little light-green or yellowish-green, there are minerals you can apply to green them back up.
Lawns - Ever wonder how sod farms deliver that lush, dark green Centipede sod that looks like Fescue at its prime? Answer is: they apply extra doses of iron. If your Centipede lawn has yellowed, or is not green enough for your liking, apply granular iron.For Centipede lawns, apply granulated iron with a broadcast spreader. At Wilson Bros. Nursery, we recommend Hi-Yield Iron Plus because it contains a whopping 16% Iron and 13% Sulfur for deep greening. Other products, such as Ironite contain only 4% Iron.
Shrubs & Trees - For shrubs and trees you can apply Iron Plus, Soil Sulfur, or Aluminum Sulfate. Make sure to always follow instructions found on product label for application rates and methods of application. Alternatively, you can feed shrubs and trees with a fertilizer containing 4% Iron, such as Milorganite.
Fertilize roses if necessary.
Fertilize roses every 6 weeks or so with a good rose fertilizer. A rose fertilizer containing a systemic pesticide can be used to control insects systemically.
Fertilize annual flowers in beds and container gardens.
If your flowers look like they could use a good feeding, provide these with a dose of a good flower food.
SEE: How To Fertilize Annual Flowers
Watch for water needs.
If there isn't sufficient rainfall, keep an eye on plants, trees and your lawn to make sure they are receiving enough water. Wilting and discoloring of foliage is a sure sign of stress from lack of water. Summer means hotter and sometimes drier weather. Provide adequate water for plants that stress during prolonged periods of dry weather. It is best to water from early to mid-morning. Never water your lawn or the foliage of plants during the late evening hours as this can promote the growth of damaging fungus. If you have a sprinkler system set the timer to begin watering no earlier than 5 AM.
To help retain moisture in the soil and reduce watering, apply a layer of shredded wood mulch around the root systems of plants in beds and containers.
