Summer
May
What Can I Do?
Plant Warm-Season Crops: After April 30 (or when soil hits 60°F), sow beans, corn, squash, and cucumbers. Transplant tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
Fertilize: Feed spring perennials and new plantings.
Weed: Stay ahead of crabgrass with mulch or pre-emergents.
What’s in Bloom?
Azaleas: Peak color in pinks, oranges, and whites.
Irises: Bearded varieties bloom mid-to-late month.
Peonies: Lush, fragrant flowers.
Clematis: Vines start their show.
Any Additional Tips?
Watering: As temperatures rise, ensure consistent watering.
Mulch: Use mulch around plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature.
Pest Watch: Keep an eye out for early pests like aphids, slugs, and beetles that become active with warmer temperatures.
June - July
What Can I Do?
Succession Sow: Plant more beans and greens in June for extended harvest.
Watering: Provide 1” of water weekly, more in heatwaves.
Pest Management: Check for aphids and slugs; use neem oil or traps to control infestations.
Harvest: Enjoy harvests of peas, zucchini, and tomatoes in July. Keep harvesting regularly to encourage more production.
Fall Prep: Start seeds indoors in late July for fall crops like broccoli, cabbage, and kale.
Prune: Pinch back tall perennials in July for compact growth.
What’s in Bloom?
June:
Roses: Full bloom season.
Daylilies: Early types kick off.
Lavender: Purple spikes scent the air.
Hydrangeas: Big blooms begin (blue in acidic soil, pink in alkaline)..
July:
Black-Eyed Susans: Bright yellow daisies everywhere.
Coneflowers: Purple-pink magnets for pollinators.
Zinnias: Bold annuals thrive in heat.
Sunflowers: Early varieties stand tall.
Any Additional Tips?
Mulch: Apply mulch around plants to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature during hot spells.
Deadheading: Remove spent blooms regularly to encourage new flowers.
Soil Health: Continue adding compost or organic matter to your garden to replenish nutrients.
August
What Can I Do?
Transplant Fall Crops: Move broccoli and kale outside by mid-month.
Sow Greens: Plant spinach and lettuce for fall.
Deadhead: Extend blooms on annuals and perennials.
What’s in Bloom?
Hibiscus: Showy flowers in late summer.
Phlox: Fragrant clusters in full swing.
Goldenrod: Yellow plumes (great for bees).