June is the perfect time for gardening, as warm days and cool evenings help flowers, vegetables, and herbs thrive. Tomatoes, peppers, and hanging flower baskets flourish with regular watering and plenty of sunshine throughout the month. Early morning watering and adding mulch can help plants handle our dry climate and rising summer temperatures. Be on the lookout for bugs & diseases. Read on for more timely tips!

Plant Doctor Quips

Nick Macaluso, Plant Doctor at our Pyramid Way store, explains, “Rock mulch is the worst thing for your plants in the heat of the summer, yes this includes DG. I would suggest that you remove the rock away from your plants and replace it with mulch. G&B’s Soil Building Conditioner (SBC) is an excellent soil amendment and a mulch. Mulching your plants does a few things. It helps the soil retain moisture; this means you won’t have to water as much in the summertime. It helps prevent weed seeds from germinating. It also helps add extra nutrients and organic matter into the soil. Many people do not like mulch because it requires constant upkeep and it blows away in the wind. If you add a three-to-four-inch layer and water it well. This thick layer with compact into a dense two-inch matt that shouldn’t blow away in the wind. The only upkeep I would recommend is freshening it up annually. All of your plants will appreciate a mulch ring around them, especially your trees.”

Steve Packer, Plant Doctor at our S. Virginia store, says, “Because we had an unseasonably warm winter, you may see an uptick of insects on your fruit trees this Spring/Summer. One of those insects is called Soft Scale. Unlike many insects, adult scales don’t look much like insects at all. They appear as small, rounded, shell-like bumps attached to the plant. They do not move. Most insecticides are not effective in killing the adults but if you have time, you can physically rub them off wearing a garden glove. Sounds gross right? The only time you can kill scales is when they are in the crawler stage. They are very small and hard to see. Use Insecticidal Soap or Neem Oil for effective control. Follow directions on chemical sprays for best results or talk to one our plant doctors for further information.”

Jeni Ware, Plant Doctor at our S. Virginia store, says, “Keep your porch pots and hanging flower baskets blooming prolifically with the Fertilome Blooming & Rooting water soluble fertilizer. It’s a 9-58-8 so your flowers will have all the energy they need to bring you joy. Can be applied every 7-14 days. Thin the inner portion of your baskets to allow air flow. And, as always, deadhead spent blooms and your flowers will reward you.“

Emily Middleton, Plant Doctor at our Moana Lane store, explains, “Things are heating up fast as we swing into summer, but there are a few tricks you can use to keep your plants cool and healthy during extreme heat. First and foremost, make sure that all of your drip irrigation has been inspected and is running without leaks. Water early in the morning and avoid watering in the evening at all costs (warmer nights plus moist soil is a recipe for fungal problems). Add Osmocote to your hanging baskets to keep them hydrated between waterings. Make sure your houseplants are not in immediate contact with glass windows, as they may scorch on their leaves if they are getting too much heat or direct light. Always mulch with organic material rather than rock, as putting gravel at the base of your trees and shrubs will hold way too much heat at the crown and root zone. We carry Microbark or G&B Soil Building Conditioner for mulching which will help with your water retention and cooling down your soil.“

Josh Cruz, Plant Doctor at our Pyramid Way store, explains, “If you love growing tomatoes every summer, then some of your first fruiting varieties such as Early Girl and Sungold could already have tomatoes ripening on their vines, depending on our weather patterns that spring season. If you notice brown, flattened spots appearing on the bottom of your tomato fruits, not to worry, this is a very common problem for tomatoes known as blossom end rot. Blossom end rot occurs when there is an imbalance of available nitrogen to calcium for the tomato plants, namely too much nitrogen in relation to too little calcium. Calcium deficiencies and imbalance can be corrected with products such as Fertilome brand Yield Booster, or Hi-Yield brand Ammonium Calcium Nitrate. If your tomatoes are not blooming or setting fruit well in the first place, then you should try plant hormone solutions like Bonide brand Tomato & Blossom Set Spray.“

Bird Nerd, Annemarie Tillotson explains, “Squirrels have returned for their second round of babies this year and may increase their visits at nearby bird feeders. To prevent squirrels from eating all the seed and suet, swap to hot pepper bird food. Be sure to add baffles, weight based squirrel proof feeders, and keep all feeders 10 feet from the nearest fence to ensure all bird food goes to the birds, not the squirrels.“

June
Moana Nursery High Desert Gardening
Timely Tips

  • Aphids are showing up on just about anything – deciduous and fruit trees, roses, honeysuckle and more. Start with Ladybugs and a hose. (See life cycle of ladybugs so that you don’t inadvertently kill off their eggs, larvae, or pupae.) If infestation is great, use Fertilome Triple Action Plus or Bonide Tomato & Vegetable 3-in-1 Spray. Hi-Yield Systemic Insect Granules can also be used on all ornamentals in pots. For systemic control on larger trees and shrubs planted in the ground, we recommend using Fertilome Tree and Shrub Drench, after the plant is done flowering to avoid harming pollinators. Use as directed on the label.
  • Earwigs eat at night, so you’ll only see the destruction they’ve wrought in the daylight. Use Bonide Diatomaceous Earth or Fertilome Come and Get It Spinosad Plus.
  • If you start to see little scallop shaped holes on the very edges of leaves, you may be seeing the start of a root weevil problem. They love roses and other blooming shrubs, and the best way to get rid of them is to diagnose the problem early and use Fertilome Rose & Flower Food Plus Systemic if you haven’t already. You can also apply beneficial nematodes in the fall or following spring if they have been a notorious pest in your garden.
  • Powdery Mildew will hit susceptible plants this spring. Continue to monitor for reinfestation and treat accordingly with Bonide Copper Fungicide or Fertilome Triple Action Plus.
  • If you suspect insect or other pest damage to your lawn, visit a plant doctor to help diagnose the cause and identify the proper course of treatment.
  • Avoid late afternoon and evening watering to prevent leaf diseases on lawn, shrubs and especially roses.
  • Established trees, shrubs, perennials & roses must receive 1 inch of water per week throughout their root zones.
  • Continue to cultivate and weed.
  • If not done yet, mulch garden beds immediately after weeding with 2 to 4 inches of organic material such as G&B Organics Soil Building Conditioner to retain moisture and keep weeds under control.
  • Inspect lawn for weeds. Pull out annual weeds, such as crabgrass before they go to seed. UNR Cooperative Extension recommends setting your mower at a higher height setting of 3-4”. This will reduce water stress, control weeds, and develop a healthier lawn naturally.
  • Control insect pests, including aphids, mealybugs, scale, spider mites, thrips, whitefly and others with Ladybugs and Lacewings and Fertilome Triple Action Plus. For safe and quick control of leaf chewing insects, use Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew.
  • Check all plants weekly to be sure they are getting adequate water. Inspect your irrigation system regularly for leaks, clogged emitters, broken/clogged heads, and other problems. Adjust watering schedule as weather dictates.
  • To prevent brown patch and other lawn fungus diseases that begin to show up in June and July, spray your lawn with Fertilome F-Stop Fungicide or Fertilome Copper Fungicide – especially if fungus was present last season. For best results, alternate the fungicide used each year.
  • Be watchful for signs of lawn grub damage. Consult a Moana expert to determine the true cause of your patchy lawn and for the best treatment.
  • Compost Tea is an easy and efficient way to improve your soil quality and support healthier, stronger plants. Without nutrient-rich soil, plants can struggle to thrive, especially here in the high desert, where poor soil quality and intense summer heat can take a toll on gardens and landscapes. Compost Tea helps replenish essential nutrients, improve soil health, and strengthen plants so they’re better equipped to handle the extreme heat and dry conditions we experience during the summer months. Stop by any Moana Nursery location June–October for a free bottle!
  • Apply our new Moana Made Fertilizers as needed. Our farm-trusted, All Purpose Plant Food powers our Moana Grown plants & can help plants build strong root systems. It’s concentrated, easy to mix, made from oilseed extract derived from nature, and safe for your family and garden. The All Purpose Organic Plant Food, also made from oilseed extract derived from nature, is designed to support strong organic growth in the high desert.
  • Continue to deadhead roses by cutting flowers back to the first set of five leaflets.
  • Monitor roses closely for blackspot. Remove any leaves that show darkened circles with fuzzy margins on either side of the leaves; yellow foliage with dark spots; and any leaves that have already dropped from the plant. Dispose of infected leaves in the trash; do not compost.
  • If not done yet, renovate overgrown shrubs including red twig dogwood, lilac, and forsythia by removing one-third of the old, thick canes.
  • Prune out all ground-level sucker growth from crabapple, apple, plum, peach, or apricot trees by cutting outgrowth below soil level.
  • Prune out weak, green but very fast-growing water sprouts that grow vertically from branches of fruit trees, redbuds, or other ornamental flowering trees.
  • As the weather gets warmer, you may notice the increasing presence of gnats with your houseplants. We recommend using Safer Houseplant Sticky Stakes or Mosquito Bits to help get rid of these pests. Sticky traps are effective at catching the adults, while mosquito bits are useful in targeting the eggs and larvae that live in the soil. If possible, cut back on watering your houseplants slightly to help control the gnat population, as they love damp, wet soils!
  • Continue to fertilize your indoor plants, especially bloomers and fast-growers! Make sure to carefully read the instructions on fertilizers for the correct concentrations. If you have orchids, african violets, bromeliads, check out our stores, as we also carry fertilizers in specific concentrations for these types of plants.
  • Continue to bring indoor plants outside when nighttime temperatures are over 45°. Indoor plants will appreciate morning sunshine, but too much afternoon sun may burn their leaves. If you do bring them out, be sure to adjust your watering schedule as needed, more light usually leads to them needing more water.
  • Continue deadheading annuals and perennials to encourage more flowering. When deadheading annual geraniums, remove the entire stem with fading flowers.
  • Prune out the longest stem of cascading petunias weekly to prevent plants from becoming scraggly.
  • Hot dry weather can result in increased mite activity. Symptoms include stippling of foliage. Remove affected foliage and treat with Bonide Neem Oil or Captain Jack’s Deadbug Brew. Use according to the label.
  • Continue planting new perennials, ornamental grasses & roses.
  • Stake tall perennial plants.
  • Continue to guide clematis & all other soft-stemmed vines to their supports.
  • Fertilize fruits and vegetables with G&B Organics Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer or Fruit, Citrus & Berry Fertilizer every 2 months. For those who are starting late or just want greater planting growth, one application of Gardner & Bloome Bat Guano will give a quick boost in growth for your corn, tomatoes, cucumbers, and many others.
  • Spray tomato (and other vegetable) blossoms with Fertilome Tomato & Pepper Set to encourage more fruit production and use G&B Organics Tomato, Vegetable & Herb Fertilizer which is rich in calcium to prevent blossom end rot.
  • Monitor tomatoes and ensure that they receive an even supply of moisture instead of heavy soaking and then a drought.
  • Monitor vegetables for symptoms of fungus or blight: soft, darkened areas, yellow and dropping leaves, sunken dark spots on otherwise green foliage. Control with Fertilome Fungicide 5.
  • Monitor all plants for insects. Hand-remove large insects such as tomato hornworms, cicadas, and other caterpillars.
  • For maximum fruit size and vigor, prune out excessive fruit on trees as follows: 2-4” apart for plums along stem, 3-5” apart for peaches and nectarines along stem, 1 to 2 fruits per cluster for apples and pears.
  • Continue to harvest herbs, whatever you can’t use fresh, you can dry or freeze in small batches in an ice cube tray (with olive oil or butter, yum!).
  • Pinch off developing flowers to retain essential oils and flavor in the plant’s foliage. Especially with basil, leaving the blooms on basil can reduce the sweetness of the leaves.
  • Mulch vegetable garden with 2 – 4” of G&B Organics Soil Building Conditioner or Purely Compost to retain moisture and control weeds.
  • June is the month for bird families! Birds that have been absent from your feeders for several weeks may start showing up again with reinforcements – the next generation!
  • Look for awkward perching, scruffy plumage and incessant begging, as juveniles strive to learn the skills they need to carry their species forward.
  • Add cover! Plant large/dense shrubs and plants (Russian Sage, Viburnum, etc.) nearby to offer smaller birds protection from birds of prey.
  • As summer progresses, Rufous hummingbirds will start showing up and will stay into the fall.
  • Add movement to birdbaths with Solar Bubblers to attract more birds and deter pests like mosquitos.
  • Continue offering WBU Suet or Suet Dough to warblers, nuthatches, wrens & woodpeckers.
  • Continue to put out oranges, grape jelly and nectar for orioles and sugar water for hummingbirds. Be sure to change the solution every few days or use a product with Nectar Defender in it to avoid spoilage. Spoiled nectar can be toxic to the birds, so this is very important. Try to keep feeders out of direct sunlight if possible. Remember, we offer FREE nectar refills at all 3 Moana Nursery locations!
  • Keep nectar feeders and all feeders fresh with regular cleaning. We have a selection of brushes and safe solutions to keep feeders safe and healthy.
  • Continue to supply fresh water and change it every other day to keep it clean. To prevent the chance of disease, clean birdbaths and feeders weekly with a weak bleach solution (1-part bleach to 9 parts water) and rinse well.
  • Store bird food in a sealed container Storage Can and keep in a cool dry place to prevent spoilage.
  • To ensure that bird seed is eaten quickly and stays fresh, keep feeders filled with a one- or two-day supply of seed.
  • Install a customized Wild Birds Unlimited bird feeding station where you can easily watch the birds it attracts. It can be installed in the ground or on a deck.
  • Our Seasonal Color Team can help you with custom containers, annual planting beds or a simple refresh of your existing garden. Schedule a free consultation today!
  • Need help with your indoor plants? Contact our Interior Plant Services team. They can help you design, install, and maintain your indoor plants! Want a WOW plant presentation? Ask about installing a LIVING PLANT WALL! Examples of plant walls are available to see at both our Moana Lane and Pyramid Way locations.
  • Our expert Plant Doctors can help you with your high desert gardening;
    • Diagnose disease & insect problems on trees, shrubs & lawns;
    • Identify existing plants in your landscape and how to care for them;
    • Provide plant placement for DIY customers;
    • Provide a yard in review assessment of your landscape;
    • Stop by any location to ask questions or email plantdoctor@moananursery.com.
    • Plant Doctor on-site consultations are unavailable from April 16–June 1.