June Landscape Tasks

Summertime is officially here! Kids are out of school, and many people are gearing up for summer adventures with the family. You don’t have to go very far to have a fun afternoon adventure with your kids or grandkids. Gardening is a great afternoon adventure, and your backyard is the perfect place to have little fun. Take a trip to the garden store and let them pick out flowers to plant in a patio container! 

There’s quite a lot to do in the landscape during June. Here are a few tasks to check off the list:   

1. If you haven’t already, plant crape myrtles that are already blooming to make sure you’re planting a color you’ll like. There are many shades and colors, so purchasing now when they’re in bloom guarantees choosing a color of your liking! Learn more about crape myrtles in Extension Publication 2007, “Crapemyrtle – Flower of the South.”
2. Looking for a colorful flower to plant in your lawn? Daylilies might be the plant you’re looking for! They come in a variety of shapes, colors, and sizes, making them perfect for every preference! You can plant daylilies in bloom for instant impact on your landscape!
3. The heat brings out the bugs and diseases! Pay close attention to your plants to make sure they aren’t being affected by diseases or insects. If you have zinnias, check for powdery mildew, mainly appearing on the leaves.  
4. If you’ve been wanting to plant grass in your lawn, now is a great time to do so! Warm-season grasses including Bermuda, centipede, zoysia, and St. Augustine can be planted anytime during June, July, and August. If you have shaded areas where grass won’t grow, you can plant liriope, ajuga, vinca, or pachysandra to help cover the ground and make it look more appealing. For more lawn care tips, check out Publication 1322, “Establish and Manage your Home Lawn.”
5. Does your lawn have several ornamental shrubs and/or trees in it? Applying a slow-release complete fertilizer to your ornamentals helps them to perform well and be healthy year after year. You can apply fertilizer anytime from now until October. If you’re new to fertilizing, learn more in the fertilizing ornamental trees and shrubs information sheet! 
6. The sun’s harsh rays can do damage to your flowers. Keep your flowers looking their best by adequately watering them and removing any faded blooms from the plant. 

If you’re going out of town for vacation, remember to ask a neighbor to water your plants for you while you’re gone! Be sure to return the favor when they head out of town!