June To-Do List
See what HGTV editors and contributors have planned for their spring and summer gardens.
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Decorating With Flowers
June offers so many flowers that I keep a bouquet on my desk at all times. The kitchen windowsill sprouts single bloom stems tucked into tiny bottles. — Julie Martens/Frostburg, Maryland
Also See: 10 Top-Notch Flower Arranging Tips
Staking the Veggie Garden
By mid-month, I add stakes to every plant in the vegetable garden that might need them, including tomatoes, peppers and Brussels sprouts. My garden is in a windy spot, so I stake anything that gets any size to it.—Julie Martens
Learn More: How to Prune and Stake Tomato Plants
Get Rid of Caterpillars
If tent worm caterpillar nests appear in the crabapple tree, I cut them down and bury them or stash them in a trash bag to put out with the trash. Burning isn’t necessary, but I’ll concede that it is fun.—Julie Martens
Watch for Cane Borers
In the raspberry patch, I watch for wilted stem tips with the double girdling beneath that tells me raspberry cane borers have arrived. The solution is simple: Cut stems about an inch below the lowest girdling mark. Destroy the stem tips, which contain borers.—Julie Martens
Clean the Birdbath
Cleaning the birdbath is a dirty job that needs to be done weekly. I use the “jet” setting on my hose nozzle to remove the dirty water and any goo. I’ve never had any luck with anti-algae herbs, potions or products.—Julie Martens
Also See: Make a Splash: 15 Beautiful Birdbaths for Every Style
Thin Squash Seedlings
Monitor Potatoes
I continue to observe potato growth, adding more soil when stems poke about 6 inches above the last soil I added. I only hill potatoes twice.—Julie Martens
Also See: Planting, Growing and Harvesting Potatoes
Fertilizing Container Flowers
Cleaning Up the Patio
Attempting to Beat Science
With my patio being rather small and receiving only a few hours of sun each day, it's been frustrating to think I won't be able to grow any summer tomatoes. But, I've decided to give it a shot anyway: I planted a 'Sun Gold' tomato and 'Spicy Globe' basil in a hanging basket. Tomato plants need deep pots to properly produce a crop, but if I can get just one tomato out of this experiment, I'll be satisfied.—Jessica Yonker
Also See: Growing Tomatoes in Pots
Pepper Raised Bed
This summer, I'm testing out a Woolly Pocket raised bed—it's made out of thick fabric and was easy to put together and should be easy to disassemble, fold up and take it with me if I need to. It has become a home to six pepper plants, five 'Black Beauty' purple bell peppers and a hot poblano pepper.—Jessica Yonker
Also See: Planting and Growing Bell Peppers
Planting Moonflowers
I have a rail planter that has been empty since the fall. Early in the month, I planted night-blooming moonflower (Ipomoea alba) seeds. I'm hoping once they grow, they'll slowly spill out over the edge of the rail. Plus, with living in a ground-floor apartment and just a few feet from the dumpster, I could definitely use something fragrant.—Jessica Yonker
Also See: Moonflower Plant Care
Add Mulch
I'll continue mulching the garden. Mulch helps keep the ground cool and plant roots shaded.—Dee Nash/Guthrie, Oklahoma
Also See: 10 Mulch Do's and Don’ts
Check for Leaks
I check all drip irrigation for leaks and breaks; plus, I check the drip irrigation in containers to make sure the entire container is receiving water.—Dee Nash
Also See: The Proper Way to Water Your Garden
Sprinkler Vacation Prep
I run all water timers to make sure they are working properly before going on vacation.—Dee Nash
Weed Patrol
I'll keep pulling weeds, because small weeds are much easier to remove than larger ones.—Dee Nash
Also See: Make Your Own Natural Weed Killer
Waiting to See Green
I run all water timers to make sure they are working properly before going on vacation.—Dee Nash
Spring Cleaning
I tidy up around the spring bloomers, cutting back brown, wilted leaves from Virginia bluebells and tying up spent daffodil stems.—Kim Visokey
Defend the Hostas
I put slug control around the base of hostas.—Kim Visokey
Also See: Hostas: How to Plant, Grow and Care for Hostas
Switch Out Annuals
Go Garden-Stalking
Making the Garden Cooler
Adding a Natural Element
Summer Harvest, Fall Prep
Getting Rid of Poison Ivy
I am going around the garden (and the back fences of neighbors, with permission), spraying tender, young poison ivy leaves with Roundup to get rid of it before it takes over my own garden.—Felder Rushing
Also See: How to Kill Poison Ivy in Your Yard
Adding a Fountain
I am having a new fountain installed in my small pond; it will keep the water bubbling and noisy, and make the water feature unattractive to mosquitoes, which require calm water.—Felder Rushing
Starting a New Compost Heap
Before it gets too hot, I plan on digging out my compost bin, getting rid of tree roots and laying down some plastic sheeting—an old shower curtain, perhaps—before starting a new pile.—Felder Rushing
Also See: How to Compost
Water Wisely
I'll set up a garden watering schedule this month.— Melissa Caughey/Osterville, Mssachusetts
Also See: The Proper Way to Water Your Garden
Fire Pit Clean-Up
Mosquito Control
I'll work on making my outdoor space mosquito-free with plants that repel them and citronella candles.—Melissa Caughey
Also See: How to Make Citronella Candles
BBQ Prep
It's time: I'll clean and prep the grill, then refill the propane tank.—Melissa Caughey
Also See: How to Deep Clean Your Grill and Grates
Bring the Inside Out
I'll bring out and clean off my outdoor furniture.—Melissa Caughey
Also See: How to Clean Outdoor Cushions
Look Out for Fungus
I'll watch for garden fungus, such as tomato blight, and treat when necessary.—Melissa Caughey
Also See: How to Grow Tomatoes in a Raised Bed
Bring On the Veggies
Now that frost danger is gone, I'll plant my full vegetable garden.—Melissa Caughey
Also See: Tips for a Raised Bed Vegetable Garden