In June, we savor the first fruits of our Spring labor. Whether you’ve finished your planting or have more rows to sow, here are a few important gardening tips to keep in mind this month:

• Keep the hose on-hand. Rising temperatures and longer daylight hours normally combine with a decrease in rain levels this month, making June a scorcher. Prepare to water your lawn and garden daily, long before the official first day of summer (June 21).

• Guard your borders. Pests will become a major threat to your garden as it begins to thrive, attracting hungry critters. Check for discoloration and holes in buds and leaves on plants to spot disease or infestations early. Don’t forget to keep slugs out of your garden as well by using a pan of beer or some diatomaceous earth.

• Don’t just stop and smell the roses… deadhead them, too. Many of your annuals need to be maintained, so remove withered blooms to encourage continued growth. If you have tall or unsteady plants, stake them while they’re still young. Pull weeds before they spread, fertilize the soil again and cut the lawn every week to keep it healthy.

Outdoor maintenance is a top priority for June. These essential measures will ensure that your yard stays green and your garden keeps growing.

Need more specialized attention? Stop by this month and let us know how it’s going.

We’ll see you in the greenhouse!