Welcome to June! My name is Nancy Mills and I serve as one of the Members At Large for the BCMG Board. I have been a Master Gardener since 2020 as well as a wife, mother of three grown kids, and grandmother of six growing grandkids. My husband, Mike, and I celebrated our 50th anniversary in November and will continue the celebration with all our family together in Port Aransas. Something to look forward to in July.
In the meantime, my annuals, perennials, and vegetable gardens are all planted and thriving with the wonderful rain. This time last year we were already in the high, hot, and dry temperatures. So, what is next?
Maintenance, of course! Appropriate maintenance practices include pruning, replenishing mulch, and eliminating weeds (“weeds are thieves”), as well as checking irrigation systems, mowing at the right height, using fertilizer and pesticides appropriately, and managing disease problems.
“Oh my gosh!” you might say. “How can I keep up with everything?”
ROUTINE! Develop a “Supreme Routine!” That means that you want to work these tasks into your day. Doing these things will encourage healthy plants and large yields.
- Watering – – This is the most important task to maintain. Suggestion is to deeply water gardens once a week; water in the morning and “water roots, not leaves.”
- Weeding — Mulching soil helps to suppress weed growth. Take weeds out when you see them.
- Fertilizing – Keep up with your fertilizing by using slow release every few months and liquid organic once a week, if needed.
- Thinning – It’s tedious but important to prevent overcrowding.
- Monitoring — Check for pest problems or diseases.
If the “Supreme Routine” seems monotonous, pop in your air pods and listen to your favorite book or music!
Most of all, enjoy all your hard work as your plants thrive and delight, and have a wonderful summer!
In the Garden…with Bexar County Master Gardeners
Marsha Krassner, Principal Editor “In the Garden”
The heat of the summer is here. Find out what to do in your garden this month to keep it looking its best!
Queen’s Tears, A Magnificent Plant
By Marsha Krassner, Bexar County Master Gardener
June is for June Bugs
By William “Bill” Swantner, Bexar County Master Gardener
Poteet Strawberry Festival
by Anna Vogler, Bexar County Master Gardener
BCMG News!
Learn about the Culinary Garden BCMG Docent Program at the San Antonio Botanical Garden
By Nancy Mills, Bexar County Master Gardener
Gardening Education Opportunities
The BCMG Calendar has many new and interesting programs open to the public. Click Here for this month’s offerings.
EXCITING JUNE EVENT!!!
Helpful Resources
Ask a Master Gardener
Question of the month: We purchased a great looking “Knock Out” Rose Bush. Due to soil condition and availability of sun light in our yard we would like to plant it in a whiskey barrel. Is this okay?
Answer: It will be fine in the container. Just remember that you can keep it trimmed if it gets too big for where you put it and it should be cut back to about 12 inches in the early spring each year to keep it full and somewhat compact.
Answer by Art Vazquez, BCMG
Master Gardeners are available to help you with your gardening questions. We provide unbiased, research-based, locally relevant gardening information. Free service. You can reach us:
By phone: 210-631-0400 (Ask to speak to a Master Gardener)
Mon-Fri 9 am – Noon, 1-4 pm (Closed on county holidays)
The phones and the Hotline are being operated from Master Gardener home telephones; hotline calls are being directed by the AgriLife Extension receptionist.
WOAI Lawn and Garden Show
Call in to Live Radio on Saturday mornings, with your gardening questions for David.
Call in: 210-737-1200 or 1-800-383-9624 on Saturdays from 7 am to 10pm
Or just listen to the show, and learn from everyone else’s questions!
WOAI 1200 AM – Lawn and Garden Show
Host: David Rodriguez, Bexar County AgriLife Extension Horticulturist.
Past shows are archived here, for easy listening on your computer, tablet or phone, anytime! Listen on your phone while you drive!
Do you need help choosing plants for your landscaping needs?
Click here for options highly recommended by Texas A&M AgriLife
