The River Avon in Warwickshire, England on a rainy day in June.
Garden Chores for June
Bowl of Beauty peonies and Oso Happy Candy Oh landscape rose from Proven Winners.
In This Issue
Bearded irises flower in May & June.
New: Burnaby in Blooms - New: Burnaby's Century Gardens - New: All About Raspberries
Preparing for Drought - Watering Tips - In the Veggie Garden - New Plants TLC - Biennials - Chelsea Chop - June Lawns - Lawn Alternatives - Lawn Grub Control - What to Prune in June - Summer Fruit Pruning - Tomatoes - June Roses - Bird, Butterflies & Pollinators - Garden Pests - Plant of the Month: Kousa Dogwood
Preparing for Drought - Watering Tips - In the Veggie Garden - New Plants TLC - Biennials - Chelsea Chop - June Lawns - Lawn Alternatives - Lawn Grub Control - What to Prune in June - Summer Fruit Pruning - Tomatoes - June Roses - Bird, Butterflies & Pollinators - Garden Pests - Plant of the Month: Kousa Dogwood
Fellow Gardeners..
I always sow too many tomato seeds - argh!
Hello Fellow Gardeners,
After getting the garden planted, veggies and all, it’s time to keep plants happy and prevent the miscreant bugs from eating them. It’s inevitable that some plants will kick the bucket. It’s never 100%, but that’s why I plant extra. That’s no excuse for me planting seven, yes seven tomato plants this year. That’s over the top. If all goes well and the weather cooperates I could have enough juicy, red, tasty tomatoes to feed North America. My problem is that I find it difficult to toss or give away extra plants. It all starts when I am supposed to thin overcrowded seedlings. I feel so guilty that it’s positively painful to pull them out. They are so young and vulnerable and full of hope. These babies have ambitions of becoming all grown up and maturing into the vegetable they are destined to be, or should I say – I want to eat – barbaric as that may sound. I don’t have any misgivings feasting on freshly picked tomatoes that are warm from the sun or digging up a treasure trove of spuds. In fact, I feel triumphant especially when I can bypass those items in the grocery store. Every year I promise myself not to plant too many of anything especially since I am not a ruthless seedling thinner. In the meantime, I have given away the many extra plants to a hospice for their garden, so they are going to be cared for and not tossed into the compost bin. Good luck with your June garden and I hope the weather cooperates. Cheers, Amanda 
Tomatoes ready for roasting.
Burnaby in Blooms - A flower festival
An artistic floral replica of a bee at the Burnaby in Blooms Festival.
Burnaby in Blooms is a much loved annual event held every May at the Shadbolt Centre of the Arts at Deer Lake Park. Shadbolt’s exquisite gardens and the natural beauty of the park are the perfect setting to celebrate the beauty of nature with whimsical exhibits and superb artistic displays. Click here to see highlights of the festival.
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Water Restrictions
Water restrictions in Metro Vancouver continues until mid October.
STAGE 1 LAWN WATERING ALLOWED:
Even-numbered addresses on Saturdays Odd-numbered addresses on Sundays Automatic watering: 5 am – 7 am Manual watering: 6 am – 9 am Watering trees, shrubs and flowers is permitted any day from 5 am to 9 am if using a sprinkler, or any time if hand watering or using drip irrigation. All hoses must have an automatic shut-off device. Edible plants (veggies, fruits and herbs) are exempt from regulations. Click on Metro Vancouver Water Restrictions for details. Garden Clubs
The BC Fuchsia and Begonia Society promotes fuchsias, begonias, ferns and other shade-loving plants. The society meets at 7pm, 3rd Wednesday each month at St. Timothy's Church Hall, 4550 Kitchener Street. They offer knowledgeable speakers, plant displays, plant sales, refreshments and friendship. Click on Fuchsias & Begonias to learn more.
Burnaby's Century Gardens
Click on the pic to be redirected.
One of Burnaby's pride and joy is the Century Gardens at Deer Lake Park. Boasting a floriferous rhododendron collection is also has many other garden gems. Click here to be redirected.
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June Garden Stars
Stella D’Oro daylily, Hemerocallis 'Stella de Oro', herbaceous perennial, 10”-12” tall & wide, sun, part shade. Zones 2 to 9. Click on pic for more.
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Oriental poppy, Papaver orientale, herbaceous perennial, 15” – 3’ x 1’ -2’, sun. Zones 3 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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Japanese spirea, Spiraea japonica, deciduous shrub, 3-4’ tall and wide, sun, light shade, fall foliage, butterflies. Zones 4 to 9. Click on pic for more.
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Patty's Purple hebe, H. buxifolia 'Patty's Purple', broadleaf evergreen shrub, sun, 2'-3' x 1-2'. Zones 8 to 10.
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Rubidor weigela, Weigela florida 'Rubidor', deciduous shrub, 5' - 8' x 7'-9', sun, butterflies, hummingbirds. Zones 4 to 8. Click on pic for more.
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Lupins, Lupinus spp., herbaceous perennial, 3’ – 4’ x 1’ – 1.5’, May - July, sun. Zones 4 to 8
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Red Hot Poker, Kniphofia uvaria, herbaceous perennial, 3'-4' x 2'-3', sun. Zones 5 to 9. Click on the pic for more.
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English lavender, Lavandula angustifolia, semi-evergreen sub-shrub, fragrant, June, July, sun, 1 to 3’. Zones 5 to 9. Click on the pic for more.
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Calla lily, Zantedeschia, herbacous rhizomatous perennial, 1' to 3', sun to partial shade. Zones 8 to 10.
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Gladiator Flowering Onion, Allium 'Gladiator', fragrant, flowering bulb, full sun, flower stems up to 44 inches, Zones 4 to 8.
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Astilbes, herbaceous perennials, 6in to 4ft, partial shade to shade & moist soils. Zones 3 to 8. Click on the pic for more.
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Delphiniums, herbaceous perennial, 4’-6’ x 2’-3’, June to July, sun. Zones 3 to 7. Click on pic for more.
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Mandarin honeysuckle, Lonicera 'Mandarin', deciduous vine to 5 feet, May - June fragrant flowers, sun to part shade. Zones 4 to 9.
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Lady's Mantle, Alchemilla mollis, herbaceous perennial, prefers moist shade, 12"-18" x 18"-2'. Zones 2 to 3.
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Mountain laurel, Kalmia latifolia, broadleaf evergreen, 5’ to 15’, part shade. Zones 4 to 9.
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Mont Rose Deutzia, D. x hybrida 'Mont Rose', deciduous shrub, 3 to 4 ft tall & wide, sun to part shade. Zones 5 to 8.
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Siberian iris, Iris siberica, herbaceous perennial, 2’-3’ x 1’-2’, sun, part sun. Zones 3 to 8.
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Betty Corning clematis, deciduous vine, 6' to 8’, sun, part shade. Zone 4 to 8. Click on pic for more.
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Japanese Stewartia, Stewartia pseudocamellia, deciduous tree, 20 - 40' x 10 - 25', sun, part shade. Zones 5-8. Click on the pic for more.
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Pink Chimes Japanese snowbell, Styrax japonicus, deciduous tree, 20’ to 30’ x 20’, fragrant pink blossoms May to June, sun to part shade. Zones 5 to 9.
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Blue globe thistle, Echinops bannaticus, herbaceous perennial, 2-4’ x 1–2’, flowers June to August, sun, dry soil, prickly. Zones 3 to 8.
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Portuguese Cherry Laurel, Portugal Laurel, Prunus lusitanica, broadleaf evergreen, 10’– 20’ x 15’ – 20’, sun, part shade. Zones 4 to 9. Click on pic for more.
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'Royal Purple' smokebush, Cotinus coggygria, deciduous shrub, 10-15’ x 15’- 20’. Sun, part shade. Zones 4 to 8
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Masterwort, Astrantia major, herbaceous perennial, partial shade, moist soil 1’-2’ x 1’-1.5’. Zones 4 to 7.
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June Garden Chores
Click on the coloured links to be redirected.
June is the month for roses. Goldener Olymp climbing rose pictured.
Visit Your Garden: Make a date with your garden every day. It’s good for both you and the garden. It’s nice to get away from the world, and the garden appreciates the attention. Problems are quickly nipped in the bud, so to speak, and you get to enjoy all the loveliness of nature. To learn what to look for when checking out your garden click on Garden Inspections.
The Potager Garden.
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The Front Garden
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The Back Raised Bed Garden.
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The False Cypress Garden.
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Finish Planting: Get new plants into the ground as soon as possible so they will be established before it gets too hot and dry. For more on planting click on Planting Know-How.
New Plants TLC: Keep an eye on any recently planted plants. Water every other day until new growth starts. New foliage indicates that it has rooted into its new home. Give it space to grow and make sure it's not being overwhelmed by neighbouring plants or being eaten alive by some pest. Water thirsty plants asap. Note that handwatering is way more effective and efficient way to deliver water than sprinklers, drip and soaker hoses.
New Plants TLC: Keep an eye on any recently planted plants. Water every other day until new growth starts. New foliage indicates that it has rooted into its new home. Give it space to grow and make sure it's not being overwhelmed by neighbouring plants or being eaten alive by some pest. Water thirsty plants asap. Note that handwatering is way more effective and efficient way to deliver water than sprinklers, drip and soaker hoses.
Finish planting before summer gets serious.
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Handwater all newly planted plants. Don't rely on sprinklers, soaker hoses or drip systems.
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Provide shade when plants wilt in the sun.
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Prepare for Heat & Drought: It’s summer so it’s just going to get hotter and drier. Be prepared to protect the garden from the elements. Bare soil bakes in the sun and water quickly evaporates. Protect it with a 3 inch layer of mulch laid over top of the soil and inbetween plants. Once the mulch is laid plants will soon perk up. You’ll perk up too as there will be fewer weeds and less watering. If mulch is not your thing, protect the soil with ground covers such as sedum in sunny locations or Japanese spurge in shady spots.
Set up Sprinklers: It’s easy to do. All you need is a garden hose, a sprinkler and a timer. Timers are available in the garden section at home hardware stores, garden centres and online. Attach the timer to an outdoor faucet, connect the hose with the sprinkler attached and voilà. There are many types of timers available, some work with smartphones, while others are analogue and are simple to program. I like those best.
Set up Sprinklers: It’s easy to do. All you need is a garden hose, a sprinkler and a timer. Timers are available in the garden section at home hardware stores, garden centres and online. Attach the timer to an outdoor faucet, connect the hose with the sprinkler attached and voilà. There are many types of timers available, some work with smartphones, while others are analogue and are simple to program. I like those best.
Mulch protects soil from the elements.
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Chipped recycled wood pallets is an effective and inexpensive mulch.
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Watering gardens is permitted any day from 4 to 9 in Metro Vancouver.
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Use a timer to make watering the garden and lawn stress free.
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It’s best to water in the morning. Plants need water in the morning so they can get through the day. Consider it their breakfast. Avoid watering at night as it encourages diseases and fungus. To learn how to water more efficiently and effectively click on Watering Tips & Techniques.
Watering Hanging baskets: They dry out quickly and often need watering twice a day, especially moss baskets. To perk up overly dry plants, dunk the entire planter in a bucket of water until it stops bubbling. For more on growing in containers click here.
Drought Gardening: There are many misconceptions about designing a drought tolerant garden. The key is to give nature a hand by making it more sustainable. To learn the smart way to garden with less water click on Drought Gardening.
Watering Hanging baskets: They dry out quickly and often need watering twice a day, especially moss baskets. To perk up overly dry plants, dunk the entire planter in a bucket of water until it stops bubbling. For more on growing in containers click here.
Drought Gardening: There are many misconceptions about designing a drought tolerant garden. The key is to give nature a hand by making it more sustainable. To learn the smart way to garden with less water click on Drought Gardening.
Plants benefit from being watered in the morning, not the evening.
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Revive dry hanging baskets by dunking them in a bucket of water.
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Help plants through summers' drought.
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Sow Biennial Seeds: Sow wallflowers, foxgloves, honesty plant, hollyhocks, sweet Williams and other biennials in June and July. By autumn they should have grown into small plants. Next year they will produce a plethora of exquisite blossoms, which results in a copious amount of seeds. The mother plant dies during the second year leaving the seedlings to continue the cycle. Bees, butterflies and hummingbirds adore their flowers, and they are a favorite of cottage gardens. Sow seeds in pots indoors or outside in an area where they receive shade in the afternoon. Keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Follow the instructions on the seed packets for seed spacing, planting depth and other pertinent information. Click on the following links for more: Sowing Seeds Outdoors - Sowing Seeds Indoors.
Canterbury bells, cup & saucer plant, Campanula medium.
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A black hollyhock, Alcea rosea 'Nigra'.
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Foxglove, Digitalis purpurea.
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Sweet William, Diathus barbatus.
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Keeping Plants Upright: It’s a reality that many flowers are too heavy for their stems; peonies are a good example. Then there are those that are so tall that staying upright is a challenge. Use bamboo poles, peony cages, trellises, tomato cages to support droopy plants. Dollar stores are a great resource.
Overcrowding – Save the Meek
It’s inevitable that there will be confrontations in the garden as some plants are big and bodacious. They bully the more timid, smaller ones by crowding them out. It’s up to you to give them a helping hand by cutting back any interfering leaves and stems.
Deadhead: Tidy up the garden and prevent reseeding of some plants by removing the spent flowers from bluebells, tree peonies, peonies, iris, hellebores, violets, rhododendrons, cranesbill geraniums - to name a few.
Overcrowding – Save the Meek
It’s inevitable that there will be confrontations in the garden as some plants are big and bodacious. They bully the more timid, smaller ones by crowding them out. It’s up to you to give them a helping hand by cutting back any interfering leaves and stems.
Deadhead: Tidy up the garden and prevent reseeding of some plants by removing the spent flowers from bluebells, tree peonies, peonies, iris, hellebores, violets, rhododendrons, cranesbill geraniums - to name a few.
Plant support stakes are perfect for single stems.
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A simple trellis holds up the long stems of a Black Beauty lily.
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Flowers show the importance of deadheading vs the stem on right.
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Bugle weed is taking over a Siberian bugloss.
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Control size and Flowering time with the Chelsea Chop
The Chelsea Chop is a method of pruning tall and leggy perennials to keep them upright, more compact and produces more flowers. It’s done in late May to early June at the same time of England’s famous Chelsea Flower Show, hence the name. Cut the stems off just above a leaf halfway to a quarter down the stem. Either cut back all the stems at the same height or vary the heights to promote blossoms at different levels. Suitable plants include Achillea, Anthemis tinctoria (golden marguerite), Artemisia, Aster, Campanula, Cranesbill (hardy geranium), Echinacea (coneflower), Eupatorium (Joe Pye weed), Helenium, Helianthus (perennial types), Iberis (candytuft), Monarda, Nepeta (catmint), Penstemon, Phlox paniculata (garden phlox), Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan), Sedum (upright forms), Solidago (goldenrod) and Veronicas.
The Chelsea Chop is a method of pruning tall and leggy perennials to keep them upright, more compact and produces more flowers. It’s done in late May to early June at the same time of England’s famous Chelsea Flower Show, hence the name. Cut the stems off just above a leaf halfway to a quarter down the stem. Either cut back all the stems at the same height or vary the heights to promote blossoms at different levels. Suitable plants include Achillea, Anthemis tinctoria (golden marguerite), Artemisia, Aster, Campanula, Cranesbill (hardy geranium), Echinacea (coneflower), Eupatorium (Joe Pye weed), Helenium, Helianthus (perennial types), Iberis (candytuft), Monarda, Nepeta (catmint), Penstemon, Phlox paniculata (garden phlox), Rudbeckia (black-eyed Susan), Sedum (upright forms), Solidago (goldenrod) and Veronicas.
A flopping phlox before the Chelsea Chop.
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Cut back in late May to early June.
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Cut stems just above a leaf.
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The final product is a sturdy phlox with lots of flowers.
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Lawns
Due to the annual water restrictions in Metro Vancouver, watering lawns is only permitted one day a week. Make the most of that day by giving the lawn a good long soak for an hour. The lawn will be healthier and able to fight back against grubs including Chinch bugs, chafer beetles, sod webworms and leatherjackets. There’ll be fewer weeds too and it will quickly bounce back in autumn.
If you haven’t fertilized the lawn, do so. Use a high nitrogen fertilizer, first number is the highest ex: 9-3-2. Select organic or slow release fertilizers that contain more than 20% N. Too much nitrogen spurs on rapid, lush, vulnerable growth. Apply no more than 4 lbs. per 1,000 sq ft of lawn.
Raise the mower height to 2.5 to 3 inches. The longer grass stops the adults of chafer beetles and other grubs from laying their eggs into the soil. It also shades the soil and promotes longer roots. For more on lawns click on
Fertilizing Lawns - Lawn Basics - Lawn Maintenance Schedule - Lawn Grub Control - Moss in Lawns
Due to the annual water restrictions in Metro Vancouver, watering lawns is only permitted one day a week. Make the most of that day by giving the lawn a good long soak for an hour. The lawn will be healthier and able to fight back against grubs including Chinch bugs, chafer beetles, sod webworms and leatherjackets. There’ll be fewer weeds too and it will quickly bounce back in autumn.
If you haven’t fertilized the lawn, do so. Use a high nitrogen fertilizer, first number is the highest ex: 9-3-2. Select organic or slow release fertilizers that contain more than 20% N. Too much nitrogen spurs on rapid, lush, vulnerable growth. Apply no more than 4 lbs. per 1,000 sq ft of lawn.
Raise the mower height to 2.5 to 3 inches. The longer grass stops the adults of chafer beetles and other grubs from laying their eggs into the soil. It also shades the soil and promotes longer roots. For more on lawns click on
Fertilizing Lawns - Lawn Basics - Lawn Maintenance Schedule - Lawn Grub Control - Moss in Lawns
Critters & birds dig up lawns to feed on grubs.
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Feed hungry lawns!
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Don't cut the lawn too short.
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Nix the Lawn
Instead of battling lawn issues, many gardeners have turned to alternatives to suit the growing conditions and their lifestyle. Too much shade? Consider a shade garden, ground covers, a patio, deck or other hardscaping. For more choices click on Lawn Alternatives.
Instead of battling lawn issues, many gardeners have turned to alternatives to suit the growing conditions and their lifestyle. Too much shade? Consider a shade garden, ground covers, a patio, deck or other hardscaping. For more choices click on Lawn Alternatives.
A shady courtyard.
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A hot and sunny slope.
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A steep slope with dry soil in full sun.
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What to Prune in June
Cut back leggy and overgrown plants that have finished flowering. Avoid pruning hydrangeas, rose of sharon, buddleias, roses and other plants that have yet to blossom. There’s no need to cut back plants that are well-behaved and looking good. Remove no more than ¼ of overall growth. Also remove all dead, diseased, weak, broken, old spindly stems, suckers and watersprouts.
Cut back leggy and overgrown plants that have finished flowering. Avoid pruning hydrangeas, rose of sharon, buddleias, roses and other plants that have yet to blossom. There’s no need to cut back plants that are well-behaved and looking good. Remove no more than ¼ of overall growth. Also remove all dead, diseased, weak, broken, old spindly stems, suckers and watersprouts.
Don't prune hydrangeas!
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Cut off spent flowers from heathers, but not too far.
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Remove dead flowers from ground covers and perennials.
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Remove suckers from trees and shrubs.
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Trees: Chopping off all their branches, hacking them back and taking too much off disfigures trees and often kills them. Any subsequent new growth, if any, will be suckers and not true branches. The correct way to prune trees is to only remove any branches that are too low and in the way. Also remove all suckers, watersprouts, dead, diseased and broken branches any time of the year.
Prune Wisterias: Cut back wisterias to control their aggressive growth and to encourage flowering. Cut back all the side shoots from the main branches to 2 to 4 buds/leaves. These shortened stubby stems should convert to flower spurs in a couple of years. Repeat this process again in winter.
Prune Wisterias: Cut back wisterias to control their aggressive growth and to encourage flowering. Cut back all the side shoots from the main branches to 2 to 4 buds/leaves. These shortened stubby stems should convert to flower spurs in a couple of years. Repeat this process again in winter.
I bet it cost a lot of money to butcher this tree by topping it.
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To reduce the size of a tree's canopy, cut back branches to a side branch as indicated.
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Wisterias need to be pruned in winter and summer.
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Cut back all side shoots from the main stem to a couple of buds.
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Summer Fruit Pruning
An abundance of fruit is a good thing, except when branches bend and break when burdened with ripening fruit. Overcrowded fruit clusters breed diseases, encourage insects and delay ripening, especially the ones hidden from the sun.
June Drop: It’s natural for fruit trees to abort some of their extra fruit in June. This process is referred to as ‘June Drop’, but it does not take the place of judicious thinning. Snip off any deformed, blemished, sickly and tiny fruit then follow up with thinning fruit clusters.
Apples: Remove ones that touch each other so that all remaining fruit have space to grow and ripen. It’s recommended to retain only one fruit per cluster, but I just make sure none are touching and have room to grow.
Plums are especially prone to overcropping so thinning is vital to ensure healthy fruit. To thin plums, leave one fruit every 2 -3” or a pair of fruit every 6 inches. Thin pears to 4 to 6” apart, peaches and nectarines to one every 4”.
Grapes: For larger grapes remove every third or fourth side shoots so the remaining stems are a foot apart. Cut back the remaining side shoots to a couple of buds (nodes) on each of those side stems. For more click on Pruning Grape Vines.
An abundance of fruit is a good thing, except when branches bend and break when burdened with ripening fruit. Overcrowded fruit clusters breed diseases, encourage insects and delay ripening, especially the ones hidden from the sun.
June Drop: It’s natural for fruit trees to abort some of their extra fruit in June. This process is referred to as ‘June Drop’, but it does not take the place of judicious thinning. Snip off any deformed, blemished, sickly and tiny fruit then follow up with thinning fruit clusters.
Apples: Remove ones that touch each other so that all remaining fruit have space to grow and ripen. It’s recommended to retain only one fruit per cluster, but I just make sure none are touching and have room to grow.
Plums are especially prone to overcropping so thinning is vital to ensure healthy fruit. To thin plums, leave one fruit every 2 -3” or a pair of fruit every 6 inches. Thin pears to 4 to 6” apart, peaches and nectarines to one every 4”.
Grapes: For larger grapes remove every third or fourth side shoots so the remaining stems are a foot apart. Cut back the remaining side shoots to a couple of buds (nodes) on each of those side stems. For more click on Pruning Grape Vines.
Cut back side shoots of apples to a couple of buds to initiate fruit spurs.
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Remove crowded fruit on all fruit trees so they don't touch.
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Remove watersprouts at their base.
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June drop is a natural occurrence where extra fruit is aborted.
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An apple's fruiting spur produces flowers and fruit.
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Raspberries & Cane Fruit
Stake the new canes of raspberries, blackberries and other cane fruit. Cover ripening berries with row covers or nets to protect them from animals. Inspect wilting canes for raspberry cane borers by cutting off stems 6 inches past the wilted portion. Inspect the removed stem for a wee bug inside and discard. To learn more about how to train, prune and grow raspberries, click here.
Protect Fruit: If birds, squirrels and other critters get to eat your tasty fruit before you do, protect the plants with netting, shiny tape, whirligigs, fake owls, or rubber snakes.
Stake the new canes of raspberries, blackberries and other cane fruit. Cover ripening berries with row covers or nets to protect them from animals. Inspect wilting canes for raspberry cane borers by cutting off stems 6 inches past the wilted portion. Inspect the removed stem for a wee bug inside and discard. To learn more about how to train, prune and grow raspberries, click here.
Protect Fruit: If birds, squirrels and other critters get to eat your tasty fruit before you do, protect the plants with netting, shiny tape, whirligigs, fake owls, or rubber snakes.
Ripe raspberries leave part of the core when picked.
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For a good raspberry harvest plant them in full sun.
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Cut any canes back to the ground once fruit has been picked.
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Train raspberries on supports for easy harvesting and maintenance.
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Tomatoes
A bumper crop of tasty tomatoes is achieved by providing adequate of water, food, sunlight and air. Secure stems as they grow as their fruit becomes heavy and their supple stems bend easily. Remove suckers, preferably when they are small. Don’t allow the soil to dry out as fluctuating soil moisture leads to blossom end rot and the fruit to split. There’s lots of tips and techniques for growing healthy delicious fruit. Here’s a few links to check out: Tomato Tips - The Life of Tomato Seedlings to Plants - Taming Tomatoes - Speeding up Tomato Harvest - Tomato Troubles - Saving Tomato Seeds
A bumper crop of tasty tomatoes is achieved by providing adequate of water, food, sunlight and air. Secure stems as they grow as their fruit becomes heavy and their supple stems bend easily. Remove suckers, preferably when they are small. Don’t allow the soil to dry out as fluctuating soil moisture leads to blossom end rot and the fruit to split. There’s lots of tips and techniques for growing healthy delicious fruit. Here’s a few links to check out: Tomato Tips - The Life of Tomato Seedlings to Plants - Taming Tomatoes - Speeding up Tomato Harvest - Tomato Troubles - Saving Tomato Seeds
Most tomatoes need substantial support.
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Remove tomato suckers.
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Infrequent watering and lack of calcium causes blossom end rot.
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Cracked tomatoes is from lack of consistent soil moisture.
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In the Veggie Garden
Monitor your veggie plants for insects, slugs, weeds and other issues that may reduce your yields. Wilting plants may be caused by underwatering and underwatering so check the soil before giving them a drink. Harvest often, preferably in the morning after the dew has gone. Avoid touching and harvesting plants when they are wet. Remove any dead, dying and diseased plant parts asap to reduce infection. Keep hilling up the soil around potatoes as they grow. Snip off garlic and onion flowers and stop watering to allow the bulbs to form. Just cut off broccoli heads and leave the rest of the plant for new heads to form. Here's more on growing veggies: Growing Food - Crop Rotation, Succession & Companion Planting - Harvesting
Monitor your veggie plants for insects, slugs, weeds and other issues that may reduce your yields. Wilting plants may be caused by underwatering and underwatering so check the soil before giving them a drink. Harvest often, preferably in the morning after the dew has gone. Avoid touching and harvesting plants when they are wet. Remove any dead, dying and diseased plant parts asap to reduce infection. Keep hilling up the soil around potatoes as they grow. Snip off garlic and onion flowers and stop watering to allow the bulbs to form. Just cut off broccoli heads and leave the rest of the plant for new heads to form. Here's more on growing veggies: Growing Food - Crop Rotation, Succession & Companion Planting - Harvesting
Harvest broccoli heads before they flower.
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New broccoli heads grow from the remaining stem.
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Harvest lettuce before they produce flowers (bolt).
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Remove garlic scapes when they are small.
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Harvest new potatoes when they flower.
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Hill soil around potatoes as they grow.
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June is for Roses
Roses get a bad rap for being high maintenance. Sure, there are some roses that get black spot and struggle to be healthy, however, rose breeders have developed gorgeous easy-care roses.
Water plants during the summer, especially when they are in bud and are flowering. Deadhead faded blossoms and flower clusters to encourage reblooming. To deadhead and to cut roses for vases, cut off the flower stem just above a 5 or 7 leaflet. After each flush of blooms, give plants a feed with compost, kelp or another organic fertilizer. Add 3 inches of recycled wood chips around the plant but not on top of the crown and bud union. Click on Mulch & Mulching to learn about the different types.
Climbing Roses: Their long supple canes don't have the ability to cling to a support so they must be tied as they grow. If possible, grow them horizontally along a fence as this encourages more flowers along the cane.
Click on the following links for more on roses.
How to Grow Roses - Types of Roses - Easy Roses - Climbing Roses - Rose Sawfly - Portland's Rose Test Garden - Rose Insects & Diseases - Pruning Roses - Rose Bloom Balling
Roses get a bad rap for being high maintenance. Sure, there are some roses that get black spot and struggle to be healthy, however, rose breeders have developed gorgeous easy-care roses.
Water plants during the summer, especially when they are in bud and are flowering. Deadhead faded blossoms and flower clusters to encourage reblooming. To deadhead and to cut roses for vases, cut off the flower stem just above a 5 or 7 leaflet. After each flush of blooms, give plants a feed with compost, kelp or another organic fertilizer. Add 3 inches of recycled wood chips around the plant but not on top of the crown and bud union. Click on Mulch & Mulching to learn about the different types.
Climbing Roses: Their long supple canes don't have the ability to cling to a support so they must be tied as they grow. If possible, grow them horizontally along a fence as this encourages more flowers along the cane.
Click on the following links for more on roses.
How to Grow Roses - Types of Roses - Easy Roses - Climbing Roses - Rose Sawfly - Portland's Rose Test Garden - Rose Insects & Diseases - Pruning Roses - Rose Bloom Balling
Easy Does It is a beautiful floribunda rose that is easy to grow. Click on pic for more easy roses.
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Tie climbing roses to their support. Goldener Olymp pictured.
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Rose sawfly damage is unsightly but it's not fatal. Click on pick for more.
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Excess rain encourages rose bloom balling. Click on pic for more.
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Aphids adore rose buds. Click on pic for more.
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Cut just above a 5-leaflet leaf.
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A 3-leaflet leaf.
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A 5-leaflet leaf.
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Birds, butterflies and pollinators.
Attract butterflies with sliced oranges, overripe bananas and other fruit. Hang them in trees or place them on rocks or saucers. Add a shallow tray of water filled with pebbles, marbles or glass beads. For more information on how to attract and care for pollinators click on Helping Pollinators.
Attract butterflies with sliced oranges, overripe bananas and other fruit. Hang them in trees or place them on rocks or saucers. Add a shallow tray of water filled with pebbles, marbles or glass beads. For more information on how to attract and care for pollinators click on Helping Pollinators.
Pollinators prefer simple flowers.
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Grow flowers to entice bees & other pollinators.
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Feed butterflies with pieces of ripe fruit.
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Supply pollinators with water in a shallow dish.
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Caterpillars: Rolled and eaten leaves with black or green droppings are evidence of caterpillars. Handpick, spray with soap, or use bacillus thuringiensis (Bt, thuricide). It is a bactericide that only kills caterpillars. Avoid spraying it near butterfly gardens. For more click on
Earwigs: Create a trap for them by mixing 1 part soy sauce with 1 part olive oil in a small plastic lidded tub. Make 3 or 4 holes an inch from the rim around the container large enough for the earwigs to enter. Bury the container up to the holes. Check every few days and discard any victims and replace the solution when necessary.
Corn Earworms: To prevent corn earworms, place a couple of drops of mineral oil on the silks of each corn cob within a week of when the cobs develop.
Earwigs: Create a trap for them by mixing 1 part soy sauce with 1 part olive oil in a small plastic lidded tub. Make 3 or 4 holes an inch from the rim around the container large enough for the earwigs to enter. Bury the container up to the holes. Check every few days and discard any victims and replace the solution when necessary.
Corn Earworms: To prevent corn earworms, place a couple of drops of mineral oil on the silks of each corn cob within a week of when the cobs develop.
Control forest tent caterpillar with bactericide, Thuricide.
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Rolled leaves indicate a caterpillar is inside.
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Caterpillars leave ragged foliage and droppings.
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Prevent corn earworms with mineral oil.
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Stink Bugs: These shield shape insects emerge in summer and suck the juice out of flowers, fruits and foliage making crops inedible. To learn how to control them click on Stink Bugs.
Japanese Beetles: Many plants, including potatoes and apple trees are favoured by this destructive pest that skeletonizes leaves. To learn more, click on Japanese Beetle.
Slugs & Snails: They are always a threat unless there's snow on the ground. Click here to learn the many ways to control mollusks.
Japanese Beetles: Many plants, including potatoes and apple trees are favoured by this destructive pest that skeletonizes leaves. To learn more, click on Japanese Beetle.
Slugs & Snails: They are always a threat unless there's snow on the ground. Click here to learn the many ways to control mollusks.
Japanese beetle damage on potato foliage.
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Stink bugs like hot, dry weather. Click on pic for more.
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Click on the pic to learn how to control slugs & snails.
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The larvae of the ten lined June beetle feed on plant roots. Click on pic for more.
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June's Arrangement
June 2024
June flowers include roses, spirea and hebe. For a numbered guide to the specific flower names and for other arrangements go to Monthly Flower Arrangements
Plant of the month
Kousa Dogwood
Kousa dogwoods are no shrinking violet.
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Flowers blanket the tree.
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Individual flowers sit atop the branches.
The white petals are actually modified leaves called bracts.
The real flower is in the centre of the of the bracts.
As flowers age, the bracts turn shades of pink.
Kousa dogwoods are suitable trees for suburban gardens.
Flowers linger for months.
Kousa dogwoods turn beautiful colours in autumn.
Fall colours don't disappoint.
Their edible fruit resemble strawberries.
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Common Name: kousa dogwood, strawberry tree, Chinese dogwood, Japanese dogwood
Botanical Name: Cornus kousa Form: upright tree with a vase to rounded canopy Family: Cornaceae Genus: Cornus Species: kousa Plant Type: deciduous tree, multi-stemmed shrub Mature Size: 15’-30’ tall, canopy spread 15’-30’ Origin: China, Japan, Korea Hardiness Zone: 5 to 8 Foliage: droopy, dark green, oval pointed 4”, simple, opposite, wavy margins, red & purple fall colours Flowers: May-July, 4 white pointed bracts that turn pink with age surround yellow-green true flowers Fruit: showy, red, 1 inch wide, compound berry, edible, persist until fall Stems/trunk: tan and grey mottled, peeling bark on mature trees Growth Rate: slow Exposure: full to part shade Soil: humus rich, medium moisture, well-drained, mulch, avoid dry soil in summer Uses: specimen, accent, urbangardens, wildlife gardens Attracts: butterflies, birds like the fruit Invasive Tendencies: none Tolerates: deers, is resistant to dogwood anthracnose. Propagation: hardwood cuttings, seeds Pruning: winter if necessary Problems: messy fruit Cultivars: Milky Way, Blue Shadow, Moonbeam, Satomi, Gold Cup, Gold Star, Greensleeves Comments: The kousa dogwood, Cornus kousa, is a handsome, small to medium tree that has something to offer every season. The tree’s most impressive display begins in early summer when their white flowers emerge en mass atop the tree’s canopy. Their blossoms are followed by flashy red berries that dangle down like ornaments. In autumn, kousa dogwoods continue to impress with purple, red and yellow fall foliage. Once the leaves are shed, their exquisite peeling and coloured bark is revealed. It’s truly a tree for all seasons. Kousa dogwoods are either grown as a tree or a multi-stemmed shrub. Either way, both have great form that changes with age. Immature kousas are vase shaped when young but they become rounder with a spreading canopy as they age. 
Beautiful fall colours add another season of beauty.
Flowers form in the fall.
Kousa dogwood looks cool even in the winter.
Mature bark is a colourful and interesting feature in winter.
Their colourful fruit dangles from long stems like cherries.
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THE GARDEN WEBSITE INDEX
Click on the links below to be redirected.
for the tropical Gardener
While working in Florida as horticultural consultant, it became apparent that there was a need for a book on tropical shrubs. There are so many wonderful shrubs to choose from, so I wrote a reference book to make the selections easier. Ornamental Tropical Shrubs includes pictures in full colour and information about the plants in point form. So if you live in the tropics and subtropics and need a reference book on tropical shrubs, or you just want to have a look-see click here.
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