Buzz
Image: PROMT8/Getty ImagesSpring has finally arrived, and summer is just around the corner. With the frost behind us, it’s time to focus on your garden. Whether you're planting flowers, vegetables, or both, remember that plants need attention to thrive. Start preparing now for your most stunning garden yet. Here are seven lawn and garden tasks to complete before June.
Check Your Gardening Tools and Supplies
If you don’t live in a climate with year-round sun or warmth, it’s likely been a few months since you last used your garden tools. You might not have noticed that your shears are a bit dull or that your garden gloves have worn holes. Don’t procrastinate—make sure all your tools are in good working condition and replace anything that’s beyond repair.
Before heading to your local garden center, take stock of your supplies. Do you have enough soil? Are your planters in good shape, or do you need new ones? Write a list to make sure you don't forget anything important.
Start Weeding
Although it may not be the most enjoyable part of gardening, Sara Abbass, owner of Sara Mairead Landscape Design, advises starting the weeding process early before things spiral out of control. “Begin removing invasive plants like Lesser Celandine and Mugwort that appear in the spring, as they can quickly take over your garden.”
Prepare Your Garden Bed
Abbass recommends preparing your garden beds as soon as possible. This gives you enough time to place any necessary orders. “Create the designated space, amend the soil if needed (consult soil tests through your local Cornell Cooperative Organization), and decide on the types and quantities of plants now so you can order them before the nursery runs out of stock,” she advises.
Prune Your Flowering Shrubs
“Prune any flowering shrubs like lilacs, viburnums, or ninebarks right after they bloom,” suggests Abbass. “Most shrubs that flower in the spring bloom on old wood, so they set their buds for the next year soon after blooming finishes.”
Plant Dahlia Bulbs
Who doesn’t love dahlias? If you’ve been meaning to plant them, Anna Testa, Director of Garden Design and Maintenance for CMLA, recommends doing so before June. “Plant dahlia bulbs now, as it’s the ideal time for planting them,” she advises.
Treat Your Roses
There’s nothing quite like a garden filled with blooming roses, but black spot can quickly diminish their beauty. Fortunately, it’s preventable. Testa advises treating roses in the spring with a fungicidal spray to prevent this unsightly issue.
One Task to Skip: Leave the Stalks Alone
Abbass suggests waiting before cutting those stalks. “Hold off until the weather consistently reaches 50 degrees, allowing hibernating pollinators to emerge safely. Over winter, native bee species hibernate in hollow stalks like Joe Pye Weed or burrow under leaf piles,” she explains.
While it might be tempting, Abbass advises resisting the urge. “Consider leaving some of your garden stalks intact and grouped together in a safe location on your property,” she suggests.
