Coastal Region – Brad Fowler
- Managing fire ants in the landscape can sometimes be difficult, but applying fire ant baits in early June, when ants are foraging, can help keep them under control.
- Try to remain conservative with turfgrass irrigation as the summer progresses since too much water can cause serious lawn issues later down the road.
- Weeds in the lawn can be a major problem this time of year but be careful when applying herbicides as they can cause damage to the lawn if applied when temperatures are above 85°F. Additionally, selective herbicides do not need to be applied if the grass is under stress from drought.
- There is still time to plant certain vegetables such as okra, summer squash, and sweet potatoes.
- It may be time to start harvesting some vegetables that were planted in the spring. It is important to know when and how often vegetables should be harvested so that they can be gathered when they are at peak quality.
- Mulch landscape beds to help conserve soil moisture and help keep soil temperatures cooler.
- June can be a good time to apply a slow-release fertilizer to annual flowers to give them a boost; however, it is always best to fertilize based on a soil test.
Fire ant baits help achieve long term control.
Brad Fowler, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Weeds such as this clover may require chemical control but make sure to follow all label instructions when using herbicides.
Brad Fowler, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Squash ready to be harvested.
Brad Fowler, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Midlands Region – Carmen Ketron
- Stay on top of irrigation as needed. Turfgrass only requires 1 inch of rain a week. When irrigating
the lawn, do it early in the morning, once or twice a week, to equal one inch total. Keep track of natural rainfall and turn off the irrigation if there is a significant rain event during the week. - As the weather gets warmer, turfgrass pests will be on the rise. Keep an eye out for chinch bugs, mole crickets, spittlebugs, and white grubs.
- Now is a good time to renovate or establish warm-season turfgrass.
- If watering your gardens and yard is becoming overwhelming, look into ways to conserve water in your landscape. Water-conscious gardening can include rain gardens, drip irrigation installation, and xeriscaping.
- Keep hanging baskets and window boxes in tip-top shape. Daily or even twice-daily watering may be necessary. Deadheading old blooms will encourage continuous growth, and fertilizing containers with a water-soluble fertilizer at half strength will keep plants looking good throughout the summer.
- Brush up on harvesting techniques for common garden vegetables to pick your produce at the peak ripeness.
- Stay on top of your individual disease prevention strategies for fruit and nut plants. Keep an eye out for pecan, muscadine, and peach diseases. Take appropriate integrated pest management steps as necessary.
Harvest vegetables at the peak of freshness for best flavor and longest shelf life.
Carmen Ketron, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Peaches and other tree fruit can be difficult to grow in a backyard setting without a proper Integrated Pest Management Plan.
Carmen Ketron, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Muscadine grapes and other vining fruits begin to set yield in June.
Carmen Ketron, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Deadheading spent flowers is a great way to encourage continuous blooming throughout the growing season.
Carmen Ketron, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Upstate Region – Mary Vargo
- Be sure to mow the lawn at the appropriate height for it to look and perform at its best.
- If using any herbicides on your lawn this month, remember that herbicides are less effective on heat and drought-stressed grass.
- Make sure you are supplying enough water to the lawn.
- Trim back chrysanthemums once or twice this month. Remove the top ½ to 1 inch of new growth about every four weeks, starting when the plant is 6 inches tall, until early July in the upper Piedmont and mountains, up to early August at the coast.
- Try rooting your chrysanthemum trimmings and try your hand at taking other softwood cuttings this season. See HGIC Making More: Propagation by Cuttings for more information.
- Prune spring flowering shrubs that bloom before July 1, right after the flowers fade. Some examples include Forsythia, spirea, deutzia, Daphne, winter Jasmine, Camellia, and azalea. For a complete list, see HGIC 1053, Pruning Shrubs.
- Cut back yellowed leaves of spring-flowering bulbs, dig up crowded bulbs, and replant larger bulbs.
- Start eggplant, tomato, and pepper seeds for a fall harvest. See HGIC 1256, Planning a Garden, for a complete list of vegetables that can still be planted in the upstate (Piedmont) region.
- Scout for hornworms on your tomato plants.
- Monitor the garden frequently for pests, and ask the question: What’s Eating You?
- Your squash harvest can be saved if you monitor for squash bug eggs and remove them promptly.
- Be on the lookout for Japanese beetles! Adults emerge mid-summer and feed on the leaves of over 300 plant species. Handpicking is one helpful strategy.
- June 19th-25th is Lightning Awareness Week, and thunderstorm season is upon us. Did you know that you can install a lightning protection system to help protect trees from being damaged?
- Cover blueberries with bird netting. See HGIC Protecting Berries from Birds for an easy DIY solution.
Rooting hormone can help with propagation success. Ensure you are also using a well-drained rooting medium as well.
Mary Vargo, ©2023, Clemson Extension
Tomato hornworms can easily blend in with the foliage.
Mary Vargo, ©2023, Clemson Extension
