Mid-June Garden tasks
A Peek at This Month’s Garden Maintenance Tasks
Flowers & Annuals
Deadhead spent blooms like peonies and ranunculus. Allow ranunculus to naturally yellow and die back so you can dig them next month.
Stake tall plants like dahlias — I like to corral mine using stakes and twine. For snapdragons, I use trellis netting to keep them upright before they flop.
Pinch back late-summer bloomers such as zinnias, cosmos, dahlias, and basil to encourage bushier growth.
Succession sow fast-growing annuals with autumn colors — zinnias, cosmos, or sunflowers — if you have space.
Vegetables & Herbs
Harvest early crops like lettuce, radishes, and peas.
Plant warm-season crops if you haven’t yet: beans, cucumbers, squash, and pumpkins.
Mulch beds to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Watch for pests: handpick Japanese beetles or use a handheld vacuum, monitor closely for aphids, squash bugs (the worst!), and cabbage worms.
Watering & Fertilizing
Water deeply, especially during dry spells or on HOT days (1–2” per week total).
Fertilize container plants and heavy feeders like tomatoes — I recommend organic fish fertilizer.
Garden Maintenance
Weed regularly—they’re growing fast now and can go to seed quickly. I like to pick ONE day a week to weed; Mondays work for me because one of my favorite podcasts comes out that day.
Edge beds to keep them tidy.
Compost spent spring plants and garden waste.
Top off compost bins with green material like grass clippings and food scraps, then mix to aerate.
Pollinator & Wildlife Support
Leave some herbs to flower — basil, oregano, cilantro — to feed bees and pollinators.
Provide water for pollinators by placing a shallow dish with pebbles for them to land on.
Document & Plan
Take photos to track what’s blooming and what’s not.
Make notes: What’s thriving? What didn’t germinate? What needs more support? What do you think you will grow again next year?