Expert June Gardening Tips Shared by Fort Bend County Master Gardeners

If you have not already done so, prepare your garden for hurricane season. Learn the steps you can take now to reduce your stress if a hurricane heads our way.

You can continue to plant heat-tolerant vegetables this month. So, go ahead and put in okra, sweet potatoes, southern peas, artichokes and certain greens. Check out easy vegetables to grow for more information.

If you can stand the heat, you can fill in your yard with pieces of sod, as needed. Just make sure it is getting an adequate amount of water to put down roots. One- Okra half inch to an inch per week should do it.

Most, if not all, of your cool season annuals are probably in serious decline by now. If you haven’t already done so, it is time to pull them up and toss them on your compost pile.

While you are cleaning up, you might also prune any dead or unwanted branches to give your garden a cleaner appearance and keep your plants
healthier. Learn how to properly prune your plants.

Go on a bug hunt with your children or grandchildren. Take photos and then go to https://www.insectidentification.org/insects-by-state.asp?thisState=Texas to compare your photo and identify the insect. Knowing which insects are in your yard will help you learn which are beneficial and which are not and should be treated. Remember – 97% of insects have either beneficial or neutral impacts to your garden.

You can expect water expenses to double during the summer months due to garden water needs. With the added burden of higher electricity costs due to air conditioning, you may be motivated to learn how to reduce your water costs. Check out these Earth-Kind® tips for Efficient Use of Water in the Garden and Landscape.

Are you planning for your fall garden? Here is something you might consider for weed control: soil solarization. Soil solarization is an environmentally friendly way to reduce weeds by up to 90%. If you plan to start your fall garden in August, then you will need to start your soil solarization by the end of this month. Learn how here.

Watch your roses for damage from chilli thrips. This problem tends to arise during the summer months. 

If you have Louisiana or bearded iris, they will begin a dormancy period in early summer. If they are not growing, you can trim their yellow leaves by about half. This will make them more attractive and reduce their water loss during the dormancy period. Get more information here.

Azaleas and gardenias are acid-loving plants. If you notice yellowing on the leaves of new growth, add fertilizer for these plants that is high in iron and sulfur. 

If you have plants in containers, keep a close eye on them as the temperatures rise. Some may need watering every day. Just be careful the container has a drain hole, so the water does not accumulate and drown your plant. Read more about porta-growing here.

Do you have a place in your garden where nothing thrives because of high heat and little water? Perhaps this is exactly the right place to put in a succulent garden. Learn how to make a succulent container garden or a succulent garden in your landscape.

Don’t forget to celebrate Father’s Day on June 16th. If the Dad in your life is a gardener, he might enjoy things like hose timers, new gardening tools, a rain barrel, or a coupon for someone else to do the less enjoyable garden chores.

The first official day of summer is the Summer Solstice on June 20th. Dancing in your garden to celebrate is not a requirement on this day but, if you choose to do this, please do so after dark so you will not get a sunburn. With the advent of summer, it is important to protect yourself as you garden. Learn more here.