Five Garden Chores for a More Blooming June:
In the heart of spring, gardeners are busy tending to their blooming plants and preparing for the upcoming season. Here are some practical tips for dividing daffodils, pruning spring-flowering shrubs, and harvesting potatoes.
Daffodils, a beloved spring flower, can benefit from division to promote optimal growth. Overcrowded daffodil bulbs should be divided in late spring, after the foliage has died back but before the new growth starts. After about 4 to 6 years, daffodil clumps can become crowded, leading to fewer blooms. To divide the bulbs, dig them up, shake off the soil, pull them apart, and replant them with their foliage still attached, about 6 inches deep and 3-4 inches apart. Ensure you plant the bulbs at a depth about three times their height, in well-draining soil, and water them well after replanting.
For spring-flowering shrubs, pruning is essential to promote healthy, vigorous growth. Prune after flowering to avoid cutting off next year's flower buds. Remove any dead, damaged, or diseased wood first. Thin out overcrowded branches to improve airflow and light penetration. Cut back remaining stems to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. Always prune just above a set of leaves or a bud to avoid unsightly stems and encourage proper growth points. For shrubs like dianthus and others, you can either deadhead individual spent blooms or perform a harder pruning if the plants are large and dense.
Gardeners in hot climates may want to plant greens in shade to slow their growth, while taking time to enjoy the scent of roses is recommended during the rare days of June. Spring-flowering shrubs need time to produce wood for next year's blooms, so pruning should be done by early summer. Fertilizing an ever-blooming rose after its first bevy of blooms encourages more blooms, and for once-blooming roses, leaving blown flowers in place can produce hips for birds. Snipping off faded flowers on ever-blooming roses encourages them to produce more.
Harvesting potatoes is another essential spring task. New potatoes should be harvested about 70 days after planting or two to three weeks after blossoms have faded. Overcrowded daffodil bulbs can be divided now for better growth in future seasons. New potatoes should be eaten within a day or two, as they don't keep well. Sowing garden greens about once every two weeks ensures a continuous supply.
When unearthing daffodil bulbs, keep the shovel blade far enough back to avoid slicing through them. Alternatively, daffodil bulbs can be dried, stored in a cool basement over the summer, and replanted in autumn. These simple tips will help rejuvenate your plants, support better flowering, and maintain garden health and aesthetics.
Daffodil bulbs can be divided now for better growth in future seasons, as overcrowded ones can lead to fewer blooms after about 4 to 6 years. To maintain a thriving home-and-garden lifestyle, consider dividing and replanting daffodils and pruning spring-flowering shrubs for healthier growth.
