A guide to June Planting
We are springing into summer here at GFG. With the solstice around the corner and gorgeous sunny temps, I highly recommend hitting the nursery for one or two more flats of plants and some seeds to fill up empty spaces in your raised beds this week.
Just this morning, I planted more bush beans, cucumbers, loofah gourds (yes, you can grow bath loofahs!) and basil in my garden. I plan to get more seeds this weekend for melons, beets, carrots, dill, parsley and cilantro. I love to tuck the leafy herbs in wine barrel planters, my front door pots and anywhere I know I’ll regularly hit them with the watering can. My carrots and beets are going in between rows of zinnias and the melons will climb the trellises behind my tomatoes.
Here’s a friendly reminder on how to get your plants and seeds all tucked in and happy for summer if you’re itching to work in the garden this weekend.
Prune/Harvest: Trim off the bottom leaves of your peppers and tomatoes, and remove any yellow/brown leaves in your garden. These will not turn back to green and your plants are wasting precious energy on damaged plants. Harvest heads of lettuce or brassicas (kale/broccoli) that are going to seed (they start to flower before they seed). I like to harvest these before they flower to avoid any bitter flavors. This also helps me make room for more plants. If any of the transplants you have seem stunted, pinch or prune them to wake them up a bit.
Feed/Fertilize your plants: I add worm castings to the base of each plant this time of year. When I plant, I add kelp meal to the transplant hole, and later in the season, I add bone meal to encourage my plants to bloom. Right now, though, I’m just trying to get my plants to have strong overall growth in their roots, leaves and stems, so worm castings does the trick. Water it in thoroughly after placing a handful at the base of each plant.
Replant: I pretty much plant seeds/plants in my garden every month (except July). The nurseries are practically giving away plants right now, so get a flat and fill in your spaces. No bare soil, please! Then get a seed packet of carrots, beets, parsley, dill, cilantro and find a spot you know you can hand water for 7-10 days. After planting, keep the soil wet with hand watering or with a layer of burlap as mulch.
Rinse. Repeat. All summer long.
I hope your garden is bringing you joy this time of year. If you’re in need of any coaching or advice with your existing space, please don’t hesitate to send me an email. We have space in our schedule this summer for 1:1 in-garden coaching. Click the button below to send me a message.