June Landscape Maintenance
Summer has finally arrived and the rain has stopped for a moment. This month we need to continue pulling and spraying weeds. With all the rain we've had tree seeds are sprouting up all over in your wood mulched beds. When the mulch stays wet the seeds can root right in the mulch. These can be pulled very easily or you can just rake and turn your mulch and the sprouts will dry up when the mulch dries. Keep feeding your flowering perennials, annuals and roses.
This is the time to trim most evergreens such as Junipers, Arborvitae, Yews and Hemlocks. You can trim off most of the new growth. Remember you can keep evergreens from getting larger but you cannot make them smaller again. Finish up your pruning of spring flowering shrubs such as Azalea, Lilac, Forsythia and Rhododendron.
Check the new growth on your spruce trees for Spruce Sawfly larvae. They are tiny worms that feed on the new growth. If you find them they should be sprayed with Orthene. If you have any perennials that have fungus or rust problems, you can give them Infuse. It is a systemic fungicide, so it won't wash off with rain or watering. As always, be sure to follow the directions on the label.
If you have not applied the second application of fertilizer to your lawn do it now before the temperatures reach the 90's. With the heat coming you should raise your mower height to 2 ½–3". You can spot spray broad leaf weeds in your lawn with a broadleaf weed killer. I use Weed Free Zone by Fertilome. Your lawn needs an inch of water EVERY week. Keep watering.
Jeff Hauer, Landscape Designer and Owner