Gardening Suggestions for June

June in Houston brings intense heat, so minimizing water waste and maximizing plant resilience is key to maintaining your garden and reducing ongoing garden costs. Houston's high humidity and intense heat create ideal conditions for rapid plant growth, disease and pest activity.  

• Lawns: Continue mowing St. Augustine and Bermuda grass at a higher setting (~3.5-4 inches) to shade the soil and retain moisture. Water deeply and infrequently, preferably in the early morning. Fertilize with a slow-release, high-nitrogen fertilizer (e.g., 20-5-10) if you have not fertilized in 2 months.
• Bulbs: Summer-blooming bulbs like caladiums and lilies need consistent moisture. Deadhead spent flowers.
• Annuals: Plant heat-tolerant annuals like zinnias, portulaca, vinca, periwinkle,… Deadhead regularly to encourage blooming. Water daily, or every other day, depending on the heat.
• Perennials: Deadhead spent flowers. Provide support for tall-growing perennials. Divide spring-blooming perennials that have finished flowering.
• Roses: Monitor for black spot and powdery mildew. Water deeply.
• Tropical Plants: Ensure adequate watering and humidity. Fertilize with a balanced liquid fertilizer (e.g., 20-20-20) every four weeks.
• Shrubs/Trees: Monitor for signs of stress due to heat. Water deeply during dry spells.
• Fruit Trees: Thin fruit to prevent overloading branches. Monitor for pests and diseases.
• Palms: Water deeply and regularly during dry spells. Check for any signs of heat stress.
• Fertilizer: Apply chemical fertilizers as suggested but preferably use an organic fertilizer if possible.
• Weed Control: Hand-pull weeds or use a pre-emergent herbicide for summer weeds.
• Pests: Pests and disease start to become abundant. Aphids, spider mites,…
• Diseases: Fungal diseases, root rot,…
• Watering: Increase as needed to delivered needed irrigation in one or two deep waterings.
• Suggestions for your Landscaping Crew: Continue to replenish the mulch as it retains moisture.. Ask the crew to monitor soil moisture levels - is a part of the garden getting “too much or too little” water? Suggest to the crew that they regularly check and adjust irrigation systems for optimal performance. Ensure sprinkler heads are directed correctly to avoid water waste. Overwatering is a common and costly mistake and it can kill some plants and make some plant susceptible to diseases.  Ask the crew to regularly inspect plants for signs of infestation or disease. Early detection of plant problems saves time and money on treatments.
• Garden Cost Managment: Irrigation management is crucial due to increasing temperatures and potential drought conditions. Consider using soaker hoses or drip irrigation. These system deliver water directly to the roots, minimizing evaporation.