LANDSCAPE SPECIALISTS  (copyr 2004-2016)

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 JUNE THINGS TO DO (Seattle / PNW)
  updated june 25, 2016

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Shrubs & Tree's:

     routine pruning / thinning.
     continue pruning flowering shrubs as blooms die off

Inspect woody plants for
     cankers and swollen area's
     damaged and crossing branches
     dead, off-color, leaves and twigs
     guy wires that need to be loosened or removed 

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Lawns:

Mowing:  Some lawns will need weekly mowing this month
           - otherwise a 10 - 14 day cycle should work

         Is it really nescessary to keep the grass short?
         I don't know.  It depends on the site
         and aesthetic tastes of the owner.  When you
         decide to mow it after all, you will have a big job 
         to do, and you may have to remove the clippings
         instead of mulching them.  You will not save  
         any time by not regularly mowing your lawn.
         Also weeds will proliferate if allowed to go to seed.

         However, there is a grey area - the fine line:
         Lawns with moss, clover, buttercup, lawn daisies,  
         crocus - may  contibute to healthier bio-diversity,
         and are attractive when they are meadowlike.
         I rarely see such lawns, though. 
 
fertilizer:  if not already done this year -
             apply high quality slow release fertilizer
             at the recommended rate, usually 1# nitrogen
             per 1000 square feet of lawn.

             Ideally it should be 3-1-2 NPK ratio, with
             micronutrients.  Its unlikely you will find 
             the perfect all-in-one fertilizer.  Using 
             micro-nutrient, iron, sulfur, or 
             potassium supplements, may be helpful if needed.

             lowes is currently carrying an excellent fertilizer that is
             8% nitrogen ( partly from fish-oil and mushroom compost)
            and includes many micro-nutrients.  currently selling for 
            about $18 for 25 #'s.
 
Weed control:   Weed and Feed is NOT recommended (ever)

                Try household vinegar in a spray bottle 
                to spot-control dandelions and unwanted 
                patches of weedlike grasses.

                corn gluten is said by some to help suppress weeds
                (available at Walts Fertilizer)

Aeration:         aerate only if the soil beneath the grass
                  is not getting wet after a good rain

                  most lawns don't need aerating

                  To be effective, several passes (4 or 5) of the 
                  aerator is needed to remove sufficient soil surface

                  leave the plugs on the ground


Cranefly control:  Not recommended unless high numbers
                   are confirmed present in the soil
                   
                   -  not effective now anyway

 
Watering:  Plan to start watering toward the end of June



For lawn renovation, moss, or cranefly problems,
  see our "Lawn Care Tips" pamphlet:  http://goodfolkstomow.com/pam3.htm

For monitoring shrub and tree pest problems,
  see our "IPM Index for June - Seattle Area / PNW"
  http://goodfolkstomow.com/entry/pam20.txt
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Beds:

  Routine cleanup.

*     Add mulch to beds if needed.  mulch does not eliminate weeds
        but makes them easier to manage.  maximum mulch depth is 2". 
        Keep mulch away from trunks of shrubs and trees.

*     Mulch can protect soil from compaction and erosion due to rain -
*     Mulch can help keep weeds suppressed.
*     Mulch can help protect sensitive plants against cold damage
*     Compost, leaves, and moss-as-ground cover - are effective soil builders

*     Cedar Grove Compost is a good choice for planting beds, but maybe 
       not the best for vegetable gardens.

*     arborists chips are good for pathways and open beds.
       the chips left behind by stump grinding can be especially good  
       mulch - no prickly leaves and nicely mixed with topsoil.

*     If your grounds generate a lot of pruning debris, a chipper can 
*     be used on site to make your own mulch - and save dump fee's.
*     larger branches can be use for kindling and firewood

*     Leaves can be left in beds unless or until they are deemed unsightly -  
*     Leaves are an effective mulch - unwise to remove them from bare slopes 

  Many warm weather plants can be seeded or planted -. 
    radish, peppers, squash, tomato, basil, sweet corn, 
    cucumber, eggplant, cilantro, catnip, marigold, snapdragon

  plant perennial herbs and flowers from seed
  bulbs - dahlia, canna, gladiola

       
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