Early summer is a busy time in the garden. The weather is now consistently warm almost everywhere, and plantings are filling in and looking good. For the gardener, the emphasis has shifted from planting to maintaining. Early morning in the garden sounds like a cliché, but what cool is offered in the summer is usually in early morning hours. Time to water, deadhead faded blooms if needed, and refill birdbaths and feeders. Enjoy your outdoor living areas!

	Summer Outdoor Living

June

June is the month of the ROSE. Take time this summer to stop and smell the roses. The colors and varieties this year are just breathtaking. Houzz shared early this year: What Kind of Roses Should You Grow? 

Later this week (yes, in June) you will receive an email about ordering fall flowers. We order by July 1st for wider selection and best availability for September delivery. If you are not currently on the seasonal flower list and want add this service, email Jamie Kent at [email protected].

July

Mulch, weed, and water are the three most important July tasks. This month is all about maintaining the beauty of your landscape in the heat. Summer fertilizer applied in late June will help restore color faded by hot sun. Regular mowing at the right height will lessen grass stress. Most lawns need regular watering during the summer to keep them green. On average, provide about 1 inch of water per week.

Weeds are everywhere! Summer pine needle and mulch applications will help conserve soil moisture and suppress weed seed germination, but won't stop every weed. A lawn weed is defined as any plant that is not wanted in the lawn, even if it is a grass variety. Grassy weeds are often difficult to identify in a lawn because they look similar to desirable turfgrass. Most practices used to encourage good turf growth will by nature also improve the growth and development of grassy weeds. Our turf program includes systematic applications of pre-emergent weed control, fungicide, and fertilizer. We also apply an organic soil supplement with iron in August. If weeds continue to be a problem after proper maintenance, we further clarify the problem so the appropriate control product can be applied. Weed identification and control can be easier with pictorial guides. Read more

July is also the time to plant broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collards, onions and other cool season vegetables seeds for your fall vegetable garden.

August

If your grass is dry in August, you may have to adjust the watering schedule. Mowing a dry lawn will further stress the turf and expose it to the drying effects of the wind and sun.

This is a good month to divide Iris and Daylilies.  Dig clumps that have become crowded and that have not been blooming as fully as in past years. Divide tubers and roots, and trim dead portions. Use younger, vigorous sections for replanting. Prepare new beds by amending soil with composted pine bark and compost to a depth of 8 to 10 inches.

Refresh your beds by adding colorful flowers that bloom in late summer, especially if your garden is starting to feel tired. Many shrub roses are excellent picks for bold color in August, as are new sterile varieties of butterfly bush (such as the Flutterby, Buzz, and Lo and Behold series).