As the heat of early summer settles in across Southeast Wisconsin, your garden is entering one of its most rewarding—and demanding—phases. June brings long days of sunshine, making it the perfect time to establish strong roots, manage emerging growth, and keep pests at bay. By adopting a few simple routines each week, you’ll help your plants thrive through warm days and unpredictable rains. Here are five essential tips to guide your June gardening efforts and ensure your landscape stays healthy, vibrant, and low-maintenance all season long.
Water Early and Deep
- Aim to water your garden beds and containers in the early morning (before 9 AM) to minimize evaporation and fungal risk.
- Give shrubs and perennials a deep soak—about 1 inch of water—once or twice a week rather than light daily misting. This encourages roots to grow deeper and makes plants more drought-resilient.
Stay Ahead of Weeds
- Pull young weeds by hand whenever you spot them; seedlings are far easier to remove before they set seeds.
- Apply a 2–3 inch layer of organic mulch (wood chips or shredded bark) around your perennials and shrubs to suppress new weed growth and conserve soil moisture.
Deadhead and Prune Spent Blooms
- Regularly deadhead spring-flowering perennials (like peonies and pulmonaria) to tidy appearance and encourage any possible rebloom.
- Trim back any early-season flowering shrubs (forsythia, lilac) immediately after bloom to allow new buds for next year’s flowers to form.
Watch for Early Pests and Diseases
- Scout leaves—especially on roses, lilacs, and peonies—for signs of aphids or powdery mildew. Treat small infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
- Keep foliage dry by pruning overcrowded branches and ensuring good air circulation around your plants.
Feed and Divide Perennials
- Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) to established perennials and new plantings to support summer growth.
- If spring-blooming perennials (like hosta, iris, or bleeding heart) have become crowded, lift and divide now—replant healthy sections immediately and mulch to reduce transplant stress.
