WOW , what a spring we had in central Virginia . In April we had very little rain , and , well , the calendar month of May just made up for it with a deludge of rain . course , a luck of project planting got pushed out to June . And guess what , June is already a busy month in the vegetable garden — there ’s planting , weeding , mulching , harvesting , look for that little supernumerary space to plump in that one more Madagascar pepper or tomato plant life . Did I say anything about weeding ?
But have ’s start with planting . June is a skilful calendar month for planting beans and squash and mountain of other veg . Take a look at the ready to hand - dandy chart below , which was developed using theCooperative Extension Publication 426 - 331 , “ Vegetable Planting Guide and Recommended Planting Dates . ”
June Tasks
Thin the seedling of carrots and beetsto right spacing , about 4 - 5 inches to head off herd .
Apply organic mulchessuch as leaves , pale yellow and clean sess to economize water , suppress weed germination , and enrich soil as the mulch decays .
repetition plantings ofcorn and beansto widen the harvest season .
Monitor grunge moisture . As a general rule , vegetables demand about an inch of water per week during the raise time of year . Soaker hoses or drip irrigation make the most efficient use of water during ironical spells .
Asparagus – – stop harvest when spears become thin .
Growinglettuceunder ashade viewing cloth will decelerate gobble and extend the harvesting season . Also , stress planting bolt - resistive varieties such asMuir , SierraandNevada .
Sow newwarm - season vegetableseeds after harvesting nerveless weather craw .
Continue to mound dirt up around thepotatoesto preclude them from being exposed to the sun and turning green . you could also total a layer of straw or leaf mulch to avail control weeds .
Some soils in our country aremagnesium deficient , specially those where mellow - Ca fluxing lime has been applied rather than calcium hydrate containing magnesium ( dolomite ) . “ Green ” your peppers by founder them a Mg boost with Epsom salt . This will aid yield output . Dilute one tablespoon of Epsom salts in a quart of H2O . Spray the answer on leave , using a clean household spray bottle . You will find a dispute in the colouring material of the leaves in couple of days .
point :
Herbs plant in average soil require no fertiliser . Too much fertilizer may reduce flavor and raciness .
To control earworms on clavus plants : lend oneself several drop curtain ofmineral oilto the corn silk .
sparse overloaded fruit trees ; this will result in larger and better yield at harvest home time .
You may have noticed that yourstrawberries have a milder favorthan normal this year . The trouble could be the result of the excessive rainfall we had in May ; it could have diluted the flavor of the Berry . That sound rain increase the risk of fungal trouble , too . I am experience gamy than normal departure due to fungous disease because of the pissed weather .
Renovate the strawberry spot after harvest time . Mow the row , slender out excess plant and lend oneself mulch for weed ascendancy .
Thebest clock time to reap most herbsis just before flowering , when the leaves contain the maxium all important oils . cutting herbs early on a cheery mean solar day .
Sources :
Adapted from the Albemarle / Charlottesville VCE Office , “ Monthy Horticulture Tip Sheets,”albemarle.ext.vt.edu / hort - tip - sheets/6 - 14 - veg.pdf;albemarle.ext.vt.eduhort - summit - sheets/6 - 14 - yield - nuts.pdf;albemarle.ext.vt.eduhort - wind - sheets/6 - 14 - herbs.pdf
