Garden Tasks for June
Vegetable, Herb and Fruit Garden Chores in Cold to Moderate Climates
Jun 6, 2009
The list of garden chores and checks here are generally taken care of in the month of June. There are exceptions to this. Depending on the climate or microclimate, these tasks will need to be adjusted. In the United States check with the local Cooperative Extension Office for a more detailed list of what is needed in each zone.
Vegetable Garden
- Remove any newly sprouted weeds from garden area by hoeing; being careful not to damage roots of nearby vegetable plants.
- Sow bush beans, cucumbers, pumpkins, watermelons and other melons such as cantaloupe.
- Continue to sow bush beans in succession all month for an extended harvest.
- Transplant all new tomato seedlings this month. Mulch them well.
- Previously planted tomatoes should be about ready to stake this month. To keep them from toppling over, stake and tie plants to homemade supports or place commercial wire cages over the plants.
- Plant sweet potatoes this month. ‘Slips’ can be found at the local garden center and many feed stores in rural areas.
- If asparagus and rhubarb have been cut this spring, now is the time to stop harvesting. This will allow the plants to rejuvenate by sending much needed nutrients to their root systems.
- Fertilize all new seedlings with a weak solution of compost tea. Mulch seedlings and keep well watered while they are putting on new growth.
- Fertilize heavy feeders this month. Corn is an especially heavy-feeder and should be fertilized and watered well this month.
- Harvest any baby vegetables desired for the dinner table and any early vegetables before they are too large to be of use.
Herb Garden
- Set out remaining herb transplants and mulch well.
- Continue to make succession plantings of short-lived herbs to extend harvest period.
- Shear off any cut-and-come-again type herbs by approximately 80%. Chives are a good example of this type of plant.
- Check moisture content of soil throughout the month.
- Fertilize plants with a weak compost tea solution around mid-month and again at the end of the month.
Fruit Garden
- In moderate climates, grapes should be setting on vines this month. To ensure a good crop, water regularly.
- Check fruit bearing trees for signs of pest infestations. This includes raking the mulch back and checking for any signs of rodent activity near tree trunks.
- Hang pie tins, rubber snakes, onion slices or other deterrents from tree branches to discourage birds from stripping young fruits.
- Pick off and destroy caterpillars and other pests from trees and bushes.
Sow seeds in greenhouse or seed bed outside of garden area for fall garden transplants. If blooms appear on very small tomato plants, pinch them off. The plant is very likely to small to support fruit at such an early stage and trying to do so will only take nutrients away from the plant itself.
Vegetables grown in containers should be checked daily for moisture content. The soil in containers will dry out quickly depriving plants of much needed water.
 |
