Provide a water source in the garden to attract birds and other pollinators. (Photo: PxHere)

Tasks

• Control weeds before they flower, produce seed and multiply.
• If citrus trees have scale, mites or thrips, spray with summer weight horticultural oil.
• Treat petunia, geranium and tomato plants with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) to control budworm and tomato hornworm.
• Deeply water fruit and nut trees. Ideally, mature fruit trees should be irrigated to a depth of 3 feet.

Pruning

• Pinch back new growth to improve plant shape and encourage bloom.
• If bush training fruit trees to a 5- to 6-foot bush, do not miss this pruning in June.

Fertilizing

• Do not fertilize cool-season lawns (fescues, bluegrass, perennial rye) during hot summer months.
• Avoid fertilizing herbs as too much fertilizer reduces flavor and fragrance.

Planting

• If your needs are such that you must plant now, remember to provide ample water and temporary shade.
• Fruits and vegetables: corn, parsnips, plant from seed.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: lisianthus (Eustoma), blanket flower (Gaillardia), gazania, globe amaranth (Gomphrena).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: gladiolus, amaryllis (Hippeastrum).
• Trees, shrubs, vines: crape myrtle.
• Fruits and vegetables: boysenberries, eggplant, melons.

Things to ponder

• A small water feature, such as a recirculating fountain or a shallow pebble-filled bowl, provides drinking water for thirsty birds, butterflies and other garden wildlife. Regularly replenish the water and check for leaks.

This time of year, enjoy morning glory groundcover and other annuals and perennials, such as vinca, cockscomb and tickseed. (Photo: Jeannette Warnert)

Tasks

• Consider removing groundcovers, turfgrass or annual flowers from little-used garden areas such as parking strips, medians or lawn “islands.”
• Cover bare soil with a layer of mulch. This reduces weeds and helps the soil retain moisture.
• Harvest vegetables and annuals regularly. Harvest apricots, berries, figs, plums and nectarines.
• Wash aphids and white flies off plants with water or insecticidal soap.

Pruning

• Deadhead annuals and perennials to encourage re-bloom.  Prune lightly to avoid vigorous re-growth.
• Deadheading roses encourages reblooming.

Fertilizing

• Avoid fertilizing herbs as too much fertilizer reduces flavor and fragrance.

Planting

• Midsummer in the Valley is typically not the best time for planting. New plants struggle to get established in high temperatures, low humidity and intense sunlight.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: vinca (Catharanthus), cockscomb (Celosia), morning glory (Convolvulus), tickseed (coreopsis).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: dahlia, fortnight lily (Dietes).
• Trees, shrubs, vines: bougainvillea, escallonia.
• Fruits and vegetables: blueberries, carrots, corn, cucumber.

Things to ponder

• Do not spray herbicides when daily temperatures exceed 100 degrees to prevent the spray from vaporizing.
• Protect neighboring plants with a cardboard shield when spraying herbicides.
• Watch for leaf drop, wilting or folded leaves which are the first signs of heat stress.
• Weeds compete with landscape plants for space, water and sunlight. Remove existing weeds by hand pulling, hoeing or the application of appropriate herbicides following label instructions.  A 2-3” layer of mulch will suppress weed seed germination in the future and help conserve soil moisture.

June days are the longest of the year - take advantage of the extra hours in your garden.

Tasks

• Check drip irrigation lines and emitters for leaks or clogs and adjust to provide adequate moisture.
• Thin fruit on stone and pome fruit trees.
• Spider mites can be discouraged by rinsing dust from foliage.
• Stake tall, weak-stemmed flowers.

After harvesting berries, cut spent canes to the ground. (Photo: Sarah del Pozo)

• Cut spent canes to the ground after harvesting berries. Attach new canes to the trellis for next year's crop.
• Prune azaleas, camellias, and hydrangeas after bloom.

Fertilizing

• Reduce or eliminate fertilizer for landscape trees and shrubs, unless used to remedy nutrient deficiencies.
• Do not feed plants if they are water stressed.

Planting

• Limit planting during hot weather, as newly installed plants require frequent irrigation while root systems become established.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: Lily-of-the-Nile (Agapanthus), aster, fibrous begonia (Begonia semperflorens), Coneflowers (Rudbeckia).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: giant allium (Allium), canna.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: abelia, desert willow (Chilopsis linearis), flowering maple (Abutilon).
• Fruits and vegetables: fuji apple, apricot, beans, eggplant.

Things to ponder

• Adjust lawn mower setting to cut lawn higher. Set mower to 2½ to 3 inches for tall fescue, ¾ inches to 1 inch for common bermuda, and ½ to ¾ inches for hybrid bermuda.
• Use less toxic insecticidal products such as insecticidal soaps or neem oil.
• Annuals such as pansies, petunias, and snapdragons are best planted in pots where they can provide a splash of color by an entrance rather than planted in beds where they will need more water.

Warm summer evenings in Fresno are perfect for backyard barbecues. (Photo: Pixabay)

Tasks

• Be sure your watering schedule conforms to new guidelines. Check sprinkler timer settings at least once a month.
• Water citrus being careful not to overwater. Continuously wet soil in the upper few inches risks root rot.
• Be sure mower blades are sharp. Clean cuts to the lawn reduce stress and the need for water.
• If severe drought restrictions are in place, concentrate on keeping your trees watered.

Pruning

• Fire blight is best pruned out in winter, but if the infection is spreading rapidly in a pear or apple tree during the growing season, prune out the infected growth as soon as it appears.
• Prune blackberries, raspberries and other caneberries after harvest.

Fertilizing

• Fertilize almond, apple, peach, nectarine, and plum.
• Apply a light feeding to summer flowers and vegetables. Water thoroughly after application.

Planting

• Spring planting season is over; keep recent plantings and transplants well-watered.

Enjoy now

• Annuals and perennials: Santa Barbara Daisy (Erigeron), blanket flower (Gaillardia), sunflower (Helianthus), strawflower (Helichrysum).
• Bulbs, corms, tubers: giant allium.
• Trees, shrubs, vines: Butterfly bush (Buddleja), Desert Willow (Chilopsis linearis), Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), morning glory (Ipomoea), lantana.
• Fruits and vegetables: figs, potatoes, squash, tomatoes.

Things to ponder:

• A walk around the garden just before dark can be a good opportunity to hunt for snails as they emerge to feed at night.
• If it rains in June, expect fruit damage.