Gardening From The Ground Up

 


.
Site map

What is a Garden ] The Gov.  and the scientist. ] Frequent Questions ] [ Landscape horticulture ] The Biosphere ] NM Soils ] Botany ] Native Trees and Shrubs ] Plants for NM ] Vegetable Varieties ] Fruits ] Grass1 ] Plant Disease Defined ] Pest Management (IPM) ] Weeds ] Water Gardening ] Drip Irrigation ] Composting ] House plants ] Other Resources ]

What's New

Tomatoes 2008
Composting.ppt
Iris with music.ppt

Flowers and bulbs in garden.ppt


 


June Gardening Calendar

  • June is the the end of spring and the beginning of summer. Weather may turn hot very suddenly or cloudy skies can keep it cooler. Watering becomes very important as if it has turned hot plants will wilt very quickly especially if the spring winds have continued to blow.
  • For the optimum growth deep watering should be the norm. Some indicator plants such as violets can help you gauge when water is needed. Violets will wilt and then recover quickly after being watered without harm to the plants. Some plants should never be allowed to wilt at all or they will die. One such plant is the baby tears (Soleirolia Soleirolii). which can be used as a ground cover in shady patios where it will never need mowing as a lawn would..
  • Container gardens will require careful attention and containers must be soaked as needed. Hanging baskets in particular may require watering two to three times per day and if in the sun that may not be sufficient to keep them growing and blooming. If you can't keep up or they're wilting anyway, move them into shade. If you have a decorative pool or pond with a shallow ledge some potted plants may be placed on the ledge in one to two inches of water so they get a continual supply of water. 
  • Give your compost pile an occasional soaking to promote necessary decomposition. Also consider shading to keep it moist longer. I cover my pile with a board to keep the compost from drying out.
  • Drought-tolerant native plants and other dry-climate plants will need only infrequent, deep water from now until the monsoon rains begin, usually in July.
  • Inspect your irrigation system, if you have one, for damaged sprinkler heads, which waste water. Replace as needed.
Drought Survival for Your Lawn -- 
  • Raise the mowing height 25 percent or more.
  • Reduce traffic on the lawn.
  • Increase watering on areas near buildings and other heat-reflecting surfaces as well as high or sloped areas.
  • If the drought is extended or water-use restrictions are implemented, take these additional steps.
  •   

    Water barrels can keep the rain fall that will come with the summer monsoons for use in your garden. Make certain that mosquitoes and other insects can not get to the water to lay their eggs. Gambusia (mosquito fish) should be added to the pond or pool to control the mosquito larva.

    02/01/2009