Gardening Tips for Early June:

• In order for better diagnosis of your plant problems, wether they are pests or diseases, it is best to ask yourself some questions.  Here is a list of some common questions.
• If you are interested in attending a water-wise landscaping class, please call or email Beth at 435-734-9945 ext. 273 or at beth.anderson@usu.edu for more information.
• Remember to store your unused seeds in a cool, dark, and dry place to prolong their life
• Don't cut grass lower than 2 1/2 inches tall, the shade from the taller grass will help cut down on how much water the grass needs and it will also help to shade out weeds
• Take photos and make notes of what you want to do next year in your garden and yard
• Grass clippings are great for a mulch around your plants as well as to help keep the weeds down
• Add mulch and organic matter to flowerbeds to help retain moisture during the hottest and driest parts of the month
• If you are planning on planting new trees or shrubs, make sure you keep them well watered and follow correct planting procedures
• Watering deeper and less frequently will help promote a deep root system which will not need as much water as a shallow root system, but remember to be consistent
• If you think your plants need more water because they are wilting, check the ground first to see how damp it is
• Solarize empty flower beds to kill weed seeds and disease pathogens
• When working outdoors, remember to drink lots of water, wear sunscreen and protective clothing, and take frequent breaks
• Vegetables can still be planted in the garden.  Transplanting seedlings is preferable over sowing seeds so you can get a better harvest sooner
• Thin vegetable seedlings which are about an inch tall
• Place plastic cups around the base of tomato and melon seedlings to deter cutworms from destroying your hard work
• Begin staking up peas, beans, and other vines
• Pull weeds as soon as you see them to prevent them from going to seed
• Dead-head spring blooming perennials
• Finish planting annuals, container gardens, and window boxes
• Apply plant food to containers and annuals regularly to keep them blooming and looking nice and full
• Prune lilacs, forsythia, and other spring blooming shrubs
• Fertilize lawn if you haven't already this year
• Apply lawn weed killers containing 2,4-D ONLY if the temperature will be cooler than 80 degrees for at least 72 hours
• Keep an eye out for aphids, grasshoppers, earwigs, slugs, and snails and begin control methods before problem gets out of hand
• Transplanting Perennials is still OK at this time of year, just make sure they receive enough water to overcome the shock
• Try to water in the early morning, watering at night can promote disease and fungal growth
• Some plants which look good at this time of year:
  • Allium - Ornamental Onion
  • Buddleia - Butterfly Bush
  • Dianthus - Carnations and Pinks
  • Geranium - Geraniums
  • Iris - Iris
  • Linum - Blue Flax
  • Paeonia - Peony
  • Papaver - Poppy
  • Penstemon - Beard Tongue