June gardening has its share of special challenges

STEVE KAWARATANI

“People are never free of trying to be content.”

-- Murray Bookchin

“Ah, summer, what power you have to make us suffer and like it.”

-- Russell Baker

The middle of June brings graduations, visitors and relatives from

out of town ... and booth construction at the festivals. Traffic is

on the rise, flags are waving, and Saint Catherine’s (not to be

confused with my wife, Catharine) will be reopening for business.

With summer just days away, it’s also time to get the garden in

shape.

Admittedly, June is a difficult month as we transition from

spring to summer. Gardeners must overcome the morning overcast gloom,

which promotes mildew; snails and slugs in the ivy (walk carefully as

not to walk on someone’s pet) and fungus gnats in the lawn.

The afternoon brings a blazing sun, which requires multiple

watering of new flowers, protection for tender plants (and yourself)

from sunscald, and the proliferation of mites and aphids.

After the rush of spring, we tend to become a bit noncommittal

about our gardens. After all, summer vacation is just days away for

many. However, this is very dangerous, because there is much to be

done. Why risk the humiliation of an ugly garden?

Our gardening list begins with a summer mulch of planter mix on

everything, including annuals, perennials and trees. This will help

to conserve moisture and reduce water consumption. Don’t forget to

water your tomatoes and roses evenly -- the key to success.

Established plantings should be watered as needed, in response to

the weather, rather than on a time schedule.

Roses should be fed with a balanced fertilizer. Miracle Gro for

roses is an excellent product. This is particularly important after a

flower crop ends. Annuals and perennials will also benefit from

monthly applications of fertilizer. Afterward, soak the soil to

prevent fertilizer burn.

With anticipated warmer weather, raise the lawn mower so the grass

is cut higher. Water deeply and as infrequently as possible to

encourage deeper root growth. Lawn fertilizer should also be applied

monthly during the summer season. Your favorite nursery can assist

you with just the right product for your specific type of grass.

Judicious use of herbicides can be effective in controlling weeds and

crabgrass.

Many potted plants, such as fuchsia, tuberous begonias and other

shade plants, are at their peak during the early summer months.

Provide plenty of water and light shade. Watch plants in containers

carefully; don’t allow them to dry out during warm weather.

Summer pruning should be completed carefully, mainly to maintain

space for your plant and yourself. It is OK. to pinch back leggy

growth on annuals and perennials to create a more attractive plant.

Don’t forget to deadhead spent flowers on all of your plants.

Catharine and I are grateful for the support our friends and the

city staff have provided to Catharine’s parents, Kay and Lewie

Wright, who were affected by last week’s landslide. Our usual

complaints of traffic, parking, and mansionization seem trivial

compared to the loss of homes and personal property. I believe that

the aftermath of the disaster will pull us closer together as a

community. See you next time.

* STEVE KAWARATANI is happily married to local writer, Catharine

Cooper, and has two cats. He can be reached at (949) 497-2438, or

e-mail to [email protected].