Hort shorts
- Mulch lily borders or bulb clumps.
- Divide bearded iris, and old clumps of hyacinths, narcissus, and other spring-flowering bulbs after blooming.
- Plant tropical water-lilies in late June and early July.
- Immediately after blooming, prune climber and rambler roses.
- Cut delphiniums back after blooming to prevent seeding. A second bloom will be encouraged late in summer.
- Seeds of most perennials may be sown now.
- Plant blueberries, blackberries, currants, and gooseberries, if not planted earlier. Planting time is running out on these berries.
- Add or transplant daylilies to the garden while they are in bloom. That way you can choose the colors, sizes, and flower forms you prefer. Thousands of selections are available, and new selections are added annually.
- Cut delphiniums back to prevent seeding. A second bloom will be encouraged late in summer.
- Trim boxwood after new growth is made. A mulch of humus increases vigor and protects roots from summer heat.
- Cut out blackberry and raspberry canes which have fruited. Suckers of raspberries should be planted in late summer.
- Remove dead flower heads of rhododendrons and azaleas for strength and neatness of plants.
- Cutting of woody plants, especially shrubs, respond to rooting at this time. Mix soil with clean sand in the rooting bed. Many garden flowers can be rooted now; and you can also sow seed of many perennials.
- When the kids are old enough, kid-sized garden tools and a defined plot of their own helps teach responsibility and care taking. Have them plant sunflowers. It will also be exciting to plant pumpkin seeds – and look to Halloween, with a pumpkin for making a jack-o-lantern.