Planting

Trees & Shrubs:

Plant: Ideal choices for June planting in central MS

1. Crepe Myrtle: A heat-loving tree or shrub with vibrant summer blooms.
2. Panicle Hydrangea: Blooms from June to August; thrives in heat and is easy to
   prune.
3. Knock Out Rose: Disease-resistant with various color options; blooms all summer.
4. Butterfly Bush: Fragrant and attractive to butterflies; consider sterile
   varieties to control invasiveness.
5. Rose of Sharon: Tropical-looking blooms all summer; can be aggressive seeders.
6. Chaste/Vintex Tree: Tolerant of dry soil, with bluish-purple blooms; size can vary by care.
7. Redbud Tree: heat tolerant with leafed out canopies — large, heart-shaped leaves. Blooms in spring, but great in summer.

When planting in new beds we recommend mixing existing dirt with Callaway's Bed Builder to prep soil for new plants. Ferti-lome Root Stimulator is also a good idea for new shrubs when watering for the first time after
planting.

• Fertilize shrubs and trees when you see signs of new growth.
• Prune: Avoid pruning in summer. It can stress the plant with the summer heat and loss of foliage. Only prune dead, damaged, or diseased branches.
• Mulch & Straw: As we start to enter the hottest months of the year, make sure you mulch/pine straw around the base of plants to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.

Perennials:

• Plant perennials, such as: day lilies, coneflowers, salvia, and black-eyed Susan in full-sun. Plant hostas, coral bells, ferns, and monkey grass in shade.
• Ferti-lome Root Stimulator will help roots get established fast for any new plantings.
• Tip: water deeply and mulch/pine straw well.

Summer Annuals & Tropicals:

• Some annual sun plants for June: verbenas, vinca, sun coleus, Hibiscus, summer Dianthus, zinnia, and petunia in full sun.
• Some annual shade plants for June: impatiens, coleus, and annual dianthus in shade.

Vegetables:

• Direct sow for June: Beans (Bush
  Green, Yellow, Purple), Beets,
  Kale (especially dwarf varieties), Summer Squash, Zucchini, Pickling Cucumbers, Swiss Chard, Turnips
• Transplant in June: Tomatoes (determinate & cherry varieties will give a quicker harvest), Bell and Hot
  Peppers, Green Onions, Pumpkins, Summer Squash, Cucumbers, Corn (opt for shorter maturity varieties),
  Winter Squashes, Herbs, Eggplant, Tomatillo, Celery, Strawberries, Blueberry Bushes, & Raspberry Plants
• Start In-doors for Fall: Broccoli,
  Brussels Sprouts, Cabbage, Cauliflower, Kale
• Apply a well-balanced fertilizer at planting. We can help you find the right one for your garden!
• Hi-Yield Calcium Nitrate is good for tomatoes and well as Ferti-lome Tomato & Vegetable Food for tomatoes and other veggies and herbs. Also, Ferti-lome Fish Emulsion Fertilizer is great natural option.
• Tip: When selecting fertilizers for tomatoes ensure the middle number on the package is the highest; this will ensure fruiting in your tomatoes and not just a larger plant overall. Example: Ferti-lome Tomato & Vegetable Food is 7-22-8.

Attract Pollinators:

• Plant nectar-rich flowers.
• Plant for butterflies: Zinnias, Lantana, Butterfly Bush and Milkweed for butterflies.
• Plant for bees: Cosmos, Black-Eyed Susans, and Lavender.
• Plant for hummingbirds and other birds: Abelia, Bee Balm, and Sunflowers.

Pruning & Propagating

Bouquets

• What to cut in June: Zinnias, Coneflowers, Black-Eyed Susans, Coreopsis, and Yarrow.
• Add herbs like basil, mint, and rosemary
  for texture and fragrance.
• Use coleus or dusty miller as fillers.
• Tips: Cut stems in the cool morning and place them immediately in water. Use sharp, clean pruners and cut at an angle for better water uptake. Strip leaves that will sit below the waterline to prevent rot.
• Using Ferti-lome Blooming & Rooting will promote more blooms.

Repotting:

• In June you can repot tropical plants, houseplants, or container-bound perennials.
• Repot plants showing signs of being root-bound (roots circling the pot or poking through drainage holes).
• Repot early in the day or on a cloudy day to avoid heat stress.
• Tips: Choose a container 1–2 inches larger in diameter. Use fresh potting mix and loosen the root ball gently before planting. Water thoroughly after repotting and keep out of direct sun for 2–3 days to help them settle.
• Repot houseplants during active growing season from end of April to September.

Propagating:

• Try propagating coleus, basil, rosemary, and mint – take cuttings and root in water or moist soil.
• To propagate succulents – remove leaves or offsets and let callous before planting.
• Softwood cuttings will root well in June - lantana, salvias, and hydrangeas. Check out our blog post for detailed instructions on propagating hydrangea cuttings.
• Tips: Use clean snips and take cuttings early in the day. Place in bright, indirect light—not full sun. Keep humidity high (use a plastic dome or misting bottle). Ferti-lome Rooting Powder can speed things up for woody plants.

Lawn Maintenance

• Bermuda & Zoysia:  Ferti-lome Lawn Food Plus Iron
• Centipede:  Ferti-lome Centipede Lawn Fertilizer
• St. Augustine:  Ferti-lome Lawn Food Plus Iron
• Mow and start regular fertilizing/weed control.
• For more details on Lawn maintenance: Lawn Fertilizer Guide

Mulching

• Make sure you have mulch or pine straw around trees, flower beds, and shrubs to keep soil moist and keep roots cool.
• Tip: Keep mulch 2-3 inches deep, avoid tree trunks.