June is the best month for planting in USDA Zone 5 because the soil has finally warmed up. That is the magic for plants. When the roots are in warm soil they grow and grow. The other components that add to the equation of success in the garden are water (in the form of rain or supplemental watering); and sunlight.  The following tasks are important for the success of the plants and the happiness of the gardener.

Watering

• When the air temperatures are above 75, there should be 1.5 to 2 inches of rain per week, ideally broken up into 2 or 3 rainfalls each week. If there is no rainfall, apply supplemental water by hand of with a sprinkler that is focused on the root area fo the plants, not just the leaves. 
• Water in the early morning to reduce evaporation.

Weeding

• Regular weeding prevents competition for nutrients and water. At the least always remove flower and seed heads from weeds to prevent more seeds from entering the soil 
• Apply a pre-emergent weed control like Preen after clearing a planting bed of weeds. It will prevent any weeds from germinating for 1 to 6 months – read the label to know which variety you are buying. 
• Mulch with 2 to 4" deep organically based mulch to prevent the sun from shining on weeds and stimulating them to germinate.

Mulching

• Chalet recommends organically based mulch around living plants. Inorganic mulches like gravel or stone hold too much heat causing roots to “braise” (cook in moist heat) at night. That is the time of day when temperatures should drop for the best plant metabolism. 
• The best organic mulches are the Chalet Leaf Mulch, Chalet Organic Compost, Shredded Pine Bark Mulch, Shredded Hardwood Mulch or Chunk Bark Mulches. Shop.
• All mulches help retain moisture in the soil, prevent temperature fluctuation of the soil and suppress weeds.

Planting

• The “Frost Free Date” has past so June is THE month to plant the warm season crops – tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, corn 
• It is also good to plant succession plantings of second crops of fast growing vegetables like radishes and lettuce. 
• Use good quality fertilizers like the Dr. Earth Tomato, Vegetable and Herb granular that lasts for 60 days with each application.
• Water appropriately, every other day when temperatures are over 75 degrees for the equivalent of 1.5 to 2 inches of rain per week.
• Shop Herbs + veggies. 

Harvesting

• Early crops should be producing a lot – Keep harvesting peas until the temperature gets too warm and they stop flowering. Harvest lettuce from the edges to keep the center crown growing or cut off the entire crown and eat the entire plant, replanting seed for a succession crop.

Pest Control

• Common pests – Rose Sawfly “slugs”, Viburnum Leaf Beetle Larvae, Boxwood Leaf Miners 
• Pest control products – BioAdvanced 3-N-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Spray, BioAdvanced All-in-One Rose & Flower (and shrub) Care, Bonide’s Captain Jack’s Tomato and Vegetable Spray, Immunox Systemic Fungicide Concentrate

Fertilizing

• Types of fertilizer (organic vs. synthetic) – plants do not care where the source of the macro-nutrients and micro-nutrients they use originate from. Organic sourced fertilizers tend to last longer in the soil than the synthetic sourced fertilizers. Compare prices and application frequencies make your decision. 
• Understand that nitrogen (N) is for green leaves and structures of the plant. Phosphorus (P) is used for root development, flower formation and fruit development. Potassium (K)I s the central element of cellular wall structure, so it makes cells that are resilient to diseases and insect attack. Micro-nutrients are necessary, but at lower amounts than the macro-nutrients (N-P-K).

Deadheading

• This is the process of removing spent flowers to prevent them from forming seeds. When seeds form, so do hormones that tell the plant the its work is done, so no more flowers need to be formed. By removing the spent flowers before seed form, the plant continues to produce flowers for continuous bloom.

Planting

• After Memorial Day, all danger of freezing temperatures is past so all warm-season annuals can be planted. 
• Perennials actually get established much more quickly in the warm soils of June than the colder soils of April and May

Fertilizing

• Flower specific fertilizers – use fertilizers with higher phosphorus ratios than nitrogen ratio like Dr. Earth Bud & Bloom Booster at the rate of 1 cup per 10 square feet. Apply on the soil or the mulch without digging in. Each application lasts 60 days.

Mowing 

• Optimal mowing height is 3-4 inches for cool season turf grasses 
• Frequency of mowing is once per week

Fertilizing

• Summer fertilizing tips – the best date is May 31st to June 15 
• Organic vs. chemical fertilizers – organically based fertilizers last 8-10 weeks and provide a slow release, long term nutrient source increasing the populations of micro-organisms; synthetic fertilizers last 8 weeks and need to be re-applied every 8 week

Weed Control

• Identifying and managing common lawn weeds – learn the difference between perennial weeds and annual weeds 
• Herbicide use – apply pre-emergent  forms to prevent weeds from germinating, and post-emergent types to existing weeds

Watering

• Deep watering techniques – hand water using the “4-quadrant; count to 5” method 
• Mulching around trees and shrubs – apply on the root zone starting 6 inches away from the trunk spreading out to the drip line.

Pruning

• Dead or damaged branches and diseased branches  are mandatory to prune. 
• Shaping and size control depending on blooming time.

Pest and Disease Control

• Identifying common issues ( bagworms, scale, leaf miners, Powdery mildew, rust apple scab) 
• Treatment options – systemic sprays and soil drenches by BioAdvanced 12-month Tree & Shrub Systemic, BioAdvanced 3-in-1 Insect, Disease & Mite Spray

Watering

• Frequency and amount                                      
• Avoiding waterlogged soil

Fertilizing

• Liquid fertilizers for container plants                                    
• Frequency of feeding

Planting and Maintenance

• Refreshing container soil                                     
• Rotating plants for even growth

This outline covers a comprehensive range of gardening tasks tailored to USDA Zone 5 conditions in June that gardeners can use to maintain a healthy, productive and beautiful garden throughout the growing season.