June Gardening Tips for The Southwest
June Gardening Tips for The Southwest. You can still successfully plant new plants in the month of June. Make sure enough water is applied to thoroughly saturate the original root zone. Too often many folks apply “one gallon” of water or leave their drip system on for only 10-15 minutes. It is NOT how long but how much water is used.
Now is a good time to check your drip and timer system. Look for broken or pinched tubing. If possible, turn on your system and pull out the thin tubing top to see if the water is actually coming out!
Conserving Water in the Southwest is a BIG issue, so watering deeply and infrequently produces deeper roots thus making plants much more tolerant to drier conditions once established.
Desert Plants for the Southwest
Below is a list of plants and trees that are used for Xeriscaping or Desert gardening landscape. Most will not suffer with heat stress. It is still a good idea to water every day during the first 2 weeks of initial planting.
Mesquite Tree
Desert Willow
Texas Sage
Red Yucca
Oleander
Yellow Bird of paradise
Vitex
Coreopsis(spring color only)
Salvia
Vinca
Portulaca(bedding plant)
Wave Petunia’s
Purslane(bedding plant)
Bottle Brush
Rabbit Brush
Apache Plume
Desert Marigold
Garlardia
Spanish Broom
Trumpet Vine
Silverlace Vine
Crape Myrtle
Lantana
Verbena
How to plant during the hot summer months
One big myth about planting stuff in the southwest is that you can only plant trees or shrubs during spring or fall.
This is not true…You can actually plant just about anything you want providing you apply ample water during the hot summer months.
How much water is right?
Twice a day is good for newly planted trees or shrubs. Including drought-tolerant plants, except for cactus, Agave, and outdoor succulents. Deep watering is better than shallow or sprinkler watering.
When is the best time to water?
The best time to water is in the morning and again in the evening 2hrs. before sunset. Do NOT water during the night as this might your plants susceptible to fungus? This includes all types of lawns.
Lawn Care during hot weather.
June is a good time to start moving your potted plants to afternoon shade or underneath a large tree.
June Gardening Tips for The Southwest
Many flowering bedding plants such as regular Petunias, Dianthus, Snapdragons, and Geraniums will suffer from heat stress (including myself). It’s best to plant or place them in morning sun afternoon shade.
Remember to use a root stimulator and mulch with all your tree and shrub plantings. We recommend a Ferti-Lome Root stimulator but any brand will work just fine.
Summer weeds will take precious water from your flowering bedding plants. Remove them by hand or use a good selective herbicide. We have several products you can use to keep them at bay.
Weed Control – When Landscaping always use good landscaping fabric to help keep them out. Mulch around your garden beds, lawns, plants and trees, this will keep weeds at bay.
The best type of organic weed control is to use the hand or tool pulling method! Yes, I know this is a lot of hard work but it really works best. No chemicals, nothing to mix, just downright dirty work. Make the job easier by using good weed control tools.
More weed control tips here: How to get rid of weeds.
Fertilize regularly as needed and take advantage of the water you are applying. A good healthy plant is less susceptible to diseases and insects thus further enhancing your landscape or garden.
If you have any questions about our June Gardening please do not hesitate to contact us here. Contact us.
