GARDEN FANATIC: Keeping faith with summer garden

June is a difficult month to be satisfied in your garden. Gardeners must overcome the daily gloom that promotes melancholy, mildew on everything and fungus gnats in the lawn. Occasionally, a blazing afternoon sun parts the clouds, which then requires prompt watering of new flowers, protecting oneself from sun scald, and renewed battles with spider mites and caterpillars.

After the rush of spring blooms, many of us become a bit noncommittal about our gardens. After all, summer travel may be just days away for many.

This is, however, very dangerous, because there is much to be done. Why risk garden decline due to benign neglect? As Catharine says, “Don’t let your garden down!”

Our gardening list begins with an application of mulch on everything in the garden. This will help to conserve moisture and reduce water consumption. The sun will eventually decide to visit for an entire day. Consistent levels of moisture are the key to plant success and the garden should be watered as needed, in response to the weather, rather than on a time schedule.

Keep feeding your roses and other flowering plants. This is particularly important after a flower cycle ends. Don’t forget to soak the soil thoroughly following application.

With anticipated warmer weather, raise the lawn mower an additional inch. Water deeply and as infrequently as possible to encourage deeper root growth. Fertilize monthly during the summer. Your local nursery can assist you with the right product for your specific type of grass. Thoughtful and limited use of herbicides can be effective in controlling weeds and crab grass.

Many potted plants, both sun-loving perennials and shade plants, are at their peak during the early summer months. Provide plenty of moisture, but don’t allow them to dry out during warm or windy weather.

Summer pruning should be undertaken to maintain space for your plant and yourself. Pinch back leggy growth to make plants more attractive. Deadhead “spent” flowers on all of your plants to promote blossoms throughout June and July.

Summer arrives by the calendar this weekend, although with no guarantee of sunny days ahead.

However, what we can expect are visitors at the beach, the festivals and our homes.

So, rather than getting caught up in all the congestion, get back to the garden and think green. See you next time.

STEVE KAWARATANI is married to writer, Catharine Cooper, and has one cat and four dogs. He can be reached at (949) 497-8168, or e-mail to plantman2@mac.com.