Home Gardening

North Mississippi Gardening Tips
June, 2004

FLOWERS

I cannot think of a month that has as many different plants in flower as June. Keeping the flower garden groomed during this month by "deadheading" or removing the spent blossoms will lengthen the floral show and give your garden that neat and professional look. Removing the dead blossoms of annuals will prevent the formation of seed and encourage more blooms to form. Good examples of annuals that will benefit from deadheading are marigolds, zinnias, gloriosa daisies, larkspurs, zonal geraniums, petunias. Perennials that benefit from deadheading are daylilies, garden phlox, Shasta daisies, chrysanthemums.

Now is the time to dig and separate those overcrowded clumps of spring-flowering bulbs. Some gardening sources say to store these bulbs in a cool place until fall and plant then-I say stick them immediately back in the ground where you want them to flower next spring and do something else in the fall like go to a Mississippi State football game.

Keep beds and borders mulched, watered and free from weeds-you'll be glad you kept on top of this job as the season progresses and the climate gets hotter and drier. If not, you are going to get hot, tired and peeved with yourself as you struggle to catch up with your wiser neighbors!

TREES AND SHRUBS

Sometimes when we decide we need a tree or shrub for our landscape we fail to consider using one of our native trees or shrubs. It is just good common sense to utilize these plants in our gardens. Hey, they're native! That means they are already adapted to our climate and suited to withstand all the growing conditions we have. Typically these plants are easier to grow and maintain for that reason. Another added benefit of these plants is they can provide a haven for a host of wildlife, hummingbirds, butterflies, songbirds and more. Some examples of native trees are American holly, yaupon holly, deciduous holly, sourwood, buckeye, serviceberry, hornbeam, redbud, dogwood, hawthorn, grancy graybeard, witchhazel, silverbell, sassafras, and sumac. Next time you are tempted to plant a crapemyrtle try one of these instead.

Examples of native shrubs are American beautyberry, sweetshrub, clethra, oakleaf hydrangea, spicebush, native deciduous azalea, American snowbell, and Virginia stewartia.

ROSES

Roses typically have their first huge flush of blooms around Mother's Day. This month many types of recurrent bloom roses will continue the flower display. Remove dead blossoms as they finish blooming. If the roses you have are susceptible to black spot and mildew continue to spray the proper fungicides to control these two troublesome diseases. The county extension office or a knowledgeable nurseryman can help you pick a fungicide that will work for you. Never leave a dead or dying stem on the plants because blackspot will spread to healthy canes. Continue to fertilize every six to eight weeks with a fertilizer formulated for roses. During hot, dry weather, thrips may become a problem. Infected rose blooms will turn brown on the petal edges. The best way to control these pests is to start a preventive spray program when flower buds are forming. Use one of the systemic insecticides labeled for roses. An example would be the insecticide Orthene. Read and follow all label directions.

FRUITS AND NUTS

After the blackberry harvest, its time to remove those old fruiting canes to make room for the developing young canes that will bear next year's crop. If you have peaches, apples or plums keep up with your regular spray program to control the many diseases and insects that plague these home orchard fruit trees. A complete home orchard spray is the most practical method of control rather than trying to mix your own formulation of several pesticides. There are several brand labels that produce these already formulated mixes for you. Your local farmer's co-op or other garden center should carry these products. Keep fruit plants mulched to prevent weeds from competing for water and fertilizer. Do not pile the mulch against the trunks of fruit trees. This could soften the bark and provide an easy entrance for borers, other insects and diseases.

VEGETABLES AND HERBS

By June you are finishing up the cool season vegetable harvest. Broccoli, cabbage, spinach, onions and others are just about through and ready to be removed from the garden to make way for more sowings of beans, squash, cucumbers and the other warm season vegetables. As these early vegetables are removed its time to consider what to put in the garden in their place. You probably already have planted your early tomatoes, beans, corn and other vegetables. How about trying some different vegetables or maybe some herbs? Do you like eggplant? If so, there are some really strange types you could grow that are shaped like fingers, eggs and other goofy shapes and colors. How about growing some of the new colored bell peppers or some of the other types of peppers (hot or mild) that are on the market now? Herbs are really becoming more mainstream now and the selection has expanded greatly. There are many types of basils to choose from now--cinnamon, lemon, spicy, lime, sweet, Thai, holy and the list goes on! Sweet fennel is an easy to grow perennial herb that tastes like licorice and is reputed to be an appetite suppressant. We all have heard of the reputed medicinal benefits of consuming garlic. This easy to grow bulb is ready to dig and harvest this month. Shop around your favorite garden center and pick out a few new herbs to try this year. You just might find a tasty surprise.

Lelia Scott Kelly, Ph.D., writes North Mississippi Gardening Tips monthly and is a Horticulture Specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service. Her office is in the North Mississippi Research & Extension Center, Verona.