Monthly garden tasks and activities for a S. California garden in June. Emphasis on native plants.

1. June in the Southern California Garden
Each month has its special joys and tasks in the garden. Below is a suggested calendar for June. Remember
that gardening depends on the weather, so tasks, bloom season and activities may vary from year to year.
Best of Show:
 Flowers: tree/shrub: Cercocarpus spp., Comarostaphylis diversifolia, Eriogonum giganteum, Holodiscus discolor, Malosma
laurina, *Philadelphus lewisii, * Romneya coulteri, Rosa californica; smaller shrubs: Cactus spp., *Abutilon palmeri, Grindelia
spp., Eriogonum spp., Keckiella cordifolia; Annuals/perennials/bulbs: Lobelia cardinalis, *Monardella spp., Oenothera spp.,
Penstemon spp., Perityle incana, Senecio flaccidus, Trichostema lanatum, Asclepias species, Brodiaea spp., *Erigeron spp.,
Helianthus annuus, Limonium californicum, Linanthus spp., *Madia elegans, Phacelia spp., Potentilla glandulosa, Silene laciniata,
* Sphaeralcea ambigua, Trichostema lanciolatum, Trifolium spp.
 Fruits/berries: *Berberis (Mahonia) spp, * Rhamnus spp., Rhus integrifolia & ovata
Planning:
 Consider ways to make your garden more friendly for native birds, butterflies, pollinators. Remember they need food, water, places
to sun/perch/hide as well as nesting/breeding places.
Hardscape/General:
 Move bulb pots to cool dry place after blooming
 Great month to remove unwanted trees/shrubs
 Begin removing old lawns, ivy – their removal may take through the summer and into fall.
 Fertilize containers if needed
Propagation:
 Softwood cuttings from woody shrubs and trees (including those you prune this month); keep moist in a shady spot until well-
rooted, 6-10 weeks
Planting:
 Riparian/pond and other Zone 3 plants
 Direct-seed warm season sod grasses
 Plant warm-season vegetables from plants:
 Last chance to plant bean, corn, cucumber and summer squash in the ground from seed

2. Watering: major watering month
 Taper off water for late spring bulbs and spring wildflowers after blooming ceases; Adjust your summer watering schedule to
account for foggy days (if any); other than that, you’re into the summer watering schedule
Pruning:
 Prune to shape/train: Ceanothus, Arctostaphylos, Carpenteria (after blooming but not when foggy)
 Prune for safety & plant health
 Hedge-shear if needed as shrubs begin summer growth phase
 Mow (if desired) warm-season sod-forming grasses, sedges before they begin major growth phase
 Dead-head Salvia, Penstemon & Rosa to prolong bloom
 Divide warm season grasses : Acnatherum spp, Boutetoua spp, Muhlenbergia rigens, Sporobolis airoides, and Pleuraphis jamesii
begin to grow with the warm days. This is the best time to divide these summer grasses.
Weeds/Diseases/Pests: major weeding month- summer weeds emerge
Edibles/Crafts:
 Collect seed from spring wildflowers; after drying, make up seed packets to give as gifts
 Take cuttings of Artemisia, Salvias for seasonings, vinegars
 Collect/dry new summer leaves for tea
 See also May suggestions
Enjoying the garden:
 Visit a native plant garden/botanic garden; what tricks are they using to make the garden more interesting this time of year?
 Look for Monarchs and other butterflies – do you have enough flowers to attract them?
6/16/2014