June is a fabulous time for flowers in the PNW garden.  Your plants need water to thrive, especially anything newly planted. Even if we get some rainy days in June, it's not enough water to thoroughly soak their roots, so start a regular watering schedule now. Prune rhododendrons and lilacs after they are done flowering. Deadhead annual flowers to keep your plants producing new flowers all summer long. Pinching back leggy stems will also encourage bushiness.

June is a great time to plant tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, lettuce, and many more herbs and vegetables! Did you know that flowers can help your vegetables thrive? Consider a "companion" planting plan. Water, water, water! We recommend using drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deeply saturate the soil and help prevent fungus and disease by keeping leaves dry. Keep basil inside on a sunny windowsill or in the greenhouse until night temperatures regularly stay in the low-to-mid-50's. Get in the habit of weeding and tending to your plants as you water.  It will help you identify potential pest and disease issues earlier on.

Spring and summer are a great time to repot any houseplants that may be rootbound or need a soil refresher. Your houseplants are growing actively right now. Apply a fertilizer formulated specifically for indoor plants throughout the summer. Be sure to follow the directions on the product label for best results. If you plan to bring some of your houseplants outdoors for the summer, be sure to slowly acclimate them to their new environment. Start by bringing them out to a shady spot for a few hours during the day. Slowly increase the amount of sunlight and length of time outdoors until they can stay outside all the time.