June Landscape Checklist: 50+ Tasks for a Thriving Summer Garden

A comprehensive June to-do list covering seeds, pruning, fertilizing, pest control, watering, propagation, and planting:

Seeds & Propagation

• Collect foxglove seeds, scratch soil, sow, water.
• Root azaleas/roses by layering: scrape branch, dust hormone, cover with soil + brick.
• Propagate roses: 6-inch tip cuttings in damp sand under jar.

Pruning & Shaping

• Tip-prune leafy shrubs for fullness.
• Prune hydrangeas after bloom fade for fall flowers.
• Prune azaleas for round shape.
• Prune climbing roses: remove oldest canes, keep 5–7 vigorous.
• Remove upright shoots from weeping cherries below graft.

Fertilizing & Watering

• Light feed summer bulbs (gladiolus, caladium, dahlia, lily).
• Feed repeat-bloom daylilies monthly.
• Water rule: 1 gal per foot of height weekly.
• Soaker hoses + timers conserve water.
• Tree roots: 15 gal per inch trunk diameter weekly if dry.

Pest & Disease Watch

• Iris leaf spot: cut damaged leaves, spray mancozeb.
• Spittlebugs: blast with hose.
• Slugs/snails: cantaloupe trap, soapy water.
• Aphids on roses: water blast.
• Iris borer: squeeze leaves to crush.
• Laurel shothole: increase air flow, spray Mancozeb.
• Gardenia whiteflies: insecticidal soap now.
• Asian ambrosia beetle: toothpick frass on crape myrtle, redbud, maple, cherry.
• Sawfly larvae on river birch: carbaryl or permethrin.
• Powdery mildew on crape myrtle/Euonymus: neem oil or myclobutanil.

Planting & Maintenance

• Plant warm-season annuals (begonia, impatiens, celosia, geranium, coleus) with root stimulator.
• Deadhead geraniums, marigolds, summer annuals weekly.
• Remove stakes from established trees.
• Mulch, weed weekly, mark daffodil clumps.
• Control kudzu/privet: cut + Roundup on stubs.
• Bag compost: leaves, soil, weeds, garbage, manure in black bag, sun, shake weekly → 4-week compost.