J.U.N.E.

​June is the start of many things...

June is a month of transition. From the weather turning hot to planning the summer vacation, from upping the sprinkler schedule to finding something fun for the kids so they aren’t complaining “I’m BORED!” …there are a lot of moving parts.

As David stated in our June newsletter (if you don’t receive that newsletter yet, sign up HERE) June is the month offering opportunities to get your kids out into the yard and learning about gardening. Harvesting can be a fun way to appreciate the work that is needed to prep for and grow the plants, since it is nature’s reward for the effort. Cutting flowers and enjoying them inside, picking fresh fruit and veggies and getting to taste them as they were meant to be is a treat and seeing a clean and organized garden or flowerbed after weeding is just plain satisfying!

I remember spending time with my mother, processing the excess fruit or vegetables and learning how to can, pickle or dry the bounty. Opening a jar of relish or jam later, knowing that I helped make that, was something that has stuck with me my whole life. Get your kids involved in the harvest and processing and they will remember the time you spend with them. The look of pride when they get to open a jar of something they helped create is priceless.

June also introduces the summer high temperatures. Make the transition in your watering to deeper drinks (longer run times) in the morning rather than more often in the day. If you can’t run your sprinklers longer, make several repeated intervals one after another in the mornings so you are giving as much water, but broken up into “sips” that can soak in between the intervals. Also use mulch around the root area (not around the trunk or “crown” of the plant) to retail the moisture and shade from the sun.

Grab your wide-brimmed hat, slather on that sunscreen and get ready for summer!