The heat has arrived earlier than normal this year. It feels like August, but we still have some gardening guidelines for June to check off!

1. Planting and Transplanting

Planting perennials at this time is not ideal unless you have healthy transplants you raised yourself from seed. Disturb the roots as little as possible and keep them well watered until established.

2. Tubers and Rhizomes

Bulbs in the landscape have already filled in their spaces. Some, like irises, have bloomed and gone. Others, like lilies, have started their blooming season. You can still add some caladium bulbs to your pots on the porch for contrasting color and height.

3. Annuals

Most planting should have been done last month, but the Texas growing season is so long that if watered carefully, annual plants and transplants can still be planted. I’ve transplanted to better locations several volunteer seedlings from last year’s wind-blown seeds. Also, you can plant zinnia seeds all summer long for a staggered show.

4. Weeds

If you enhanced your soil in the fall and over-winterized your garden with a mulch blanket of at least three inches, you should have no problem with weeds, except for the occasional pop up that you can pull up by hand with a sharp weeding tool.

5. Dead-heading

Dead-heading flowers to promote more blooms and pinching back leggy plants are about the only maintenance you’ll need to do during this month.

The summer months are the time to sit back and enjoy the fruits, vegetables, herbs, and flowers of your fall labor!

Have you chosen your favorite spot from which to enjoy garden gazing?