By Kerry Peetz
Colorado Master Gardener

What a wild ride the weather has delivered over the past several weeks. Hard freezes and record-breaking days of unusually warm temperatures, even our plants were confused! Assuming we are now headed in the right direction (cross your fingers), it’s time to get down to business in June.

General maintenance

Remember “Water Wise Rules” are in effect until October 15. Here is the link: https://www.csu.org/water-wise-rules/

Check mulch depth to confirm 2 – 3 inches to retain moisture and help reduce weeds. 

Weed, weed and more weeding. Stay ahead of them or they will get out of hand.

Keep your gardening tools clean.

Start moving a few houseplants outside for the summer once nighttime temperatures are at least 60 degrees.

Check your pots and hanging baskets regularly, especially those in full sun and exposed to wind. Sometimes the pots will need to be watered more than once a day.

Consider setting up a rain barrel. This saves drinking water resources and money: According to the US EPA, 30% of daily water use is used outdoors. Using the rain barrel’s stored water around the landscape saves the amount of water purchased from municipal sources.

Flowers

Nasturtium, marigold, zinnia, sunflowers, hyacinth bean vine, morning glory and cardinal flower vine seeds can be sown directly in the soil. 

Stagger the days when planting gladiola corms to extend bloom period.

If needed it’s a good time to stake leggy plants like delphinium, liatris and foxglove. 

Plant new perennials. Pay attention to your placement and the plant’s specific needs.

Deadhead perennials as this will encourage new blooms.

Lawn

If you haven’t fertilized yet this season, do so now.  

Mow as needed to maintain grass at a height of 2 to 3.5 inches. Leave grass clippings on the lawn for an extra boost of nitrogen.

Pay attention to sprinkler system maintenance. Watch for leaks and repair promptly.

Trees and shrubs

To increase the quality of your apple harvest, try hand thinning. Space fruit approximately 8 inches apart on branches. You’ll be happy you did.

Keep broken, diseased and desiccated branches pruned off and cleaned up.   

Don’t forget to water your established trees and shrubs when the temps are high.

Vegetables  

Direct sow seeds for corn, lima beans, cantaloupe, pumpkin, watermelon and zucchini now. Is there anyone who really likes lima beans? Please send recipe.

Transplants of tomatoes, cucumber, summer squash, and pepper can be planted early June.

Thin lettuce, onion, and chard plants. This will increase the quality of the remaining plants.

Tame the spread of those rascally raspberry plants. Pluck them out or pot them up and share with friends.

Basil can be pinched back all summer long for a continuous, delicious harvest of leaves. (Of course, botanically speaking, basil is an herb and not a vegetable).

Submit gardening questions to csumg2@elpasoco.com or call 719-520-7684. The in-person help desk is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 9 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visit elpaso.extension.colostate.edu and register for upcoming classes at epcextension.eventbrite.com.