Steady Growth, Warm Days, and Plenty to Do

June brings long daylight, warmer nights, and that wonderful sense that everything is growing at once. It’s a month of maintenance, gentle shaping, and keeping plants hydrated and healthy as summer settles in. Here’s what Kamloops gardeners can focus on this month.

Lawn Care

• Mow at 2–3 inches — Taller grass shades roots and helps retain moisture.
• Leave clippings on the lawn — They break down quickly and act as a natural fertilizer.
• Sharpen mower blades — Clean cuts reduce disease and keep the lawn greener.
• Ensure 1 inch of water weekly — Use a tin can to measure rainfall and irrigation.

Trees, Shrubs & Fruit

• Spray fruit trees — Horticultural oil helps manage pests in an environmentally friendly way.
• Thin apples and pears — If trees drop some fruit, thin the rest for better size and quality.
• Check mulch levels — Maintain a few inches around trees and shrubs to conserve moisture.
• Prune spring‑flowering shrubs — Lilacs, rhododendrons, and azaleas can be shaped right after blooming.

Annuals & Perennials

• Fertilize annuals — Use a balanced fertilizer early; switch to high‑phosphorus once plants mature.
• Deadhead spent blooms — Keeps plants tidy and encourages more flowers.
• Pinch back leggy stems — Helps annuals and perennials stay full and healthy.
• Plant warm‑season colour — Petunias, marigolds, zinnias, asters, nasturtiums, and impatiens all thrive now.

Vegetable Garden

• Water deeply in the morning — Helps roots grow strong and reduces heat stress during hot Kamloops afternoons.
• Mulch to conserve moisture — Straw or shredded leaves keep soil cool and slow evaporation.
• Feed heavy feeders — Tomatoes, peppers, and squash appreciate a mid‑June compost boost.
• Watch for early pests — Aphids, flea beetles, and cabbage moths become active as temperatures rise.
• Shade cool‑season crops — Lettuce and spinach may bolt; afternoon shade keeps them productive longer.

Compost & Soil Care

• Keep compost moist — Mix and moisten dry materials; cover with plastic during hot, dry spells.
• Turn the pile regularly — Speeds decomposition and prevents odours.

Houseplants on Holiday

• Move houseplants outside — Give them bright shade and fresh air.
• Clean and repot — Early summer is a great time to refresh tired soil.

Weed Management

• Stay ahead of weeds — A few minutes every few days prevents big problems later.
• Mulch garden beds — Helps suppress weeds and conserve moisture.