Hello Friends, Neighbors, Fellow Gardeners,
Here are some gardening tips, educational opportunities, videos, and events for June. Events for June include Wings of Fancy at Brookside Gardens, 6th Annual Garden Party at Behnke Nurseries, Sandy Spring Strawberry Festival, Woodlawn Visitor Center Open House, and more!
Planning:
- As the heat and humidity moves in, take it easy by working in the morning or early evening to avoid intense sun and humidity. Leave the big projects for this fall. For now, concentrate on maintaining the beds you’ve already established and nurturing your new plantings.
- Don’t overwater if it is hot and muggy. Remove plants severely infected with powdery mildew. Thin crowded plants.
- Check out plants going on sale!
- Peruse fall bulb catalogs.
- Order spring-flowering bulbs to arrive for planting this fall.
- Plan who is going to water your plants during your vacation.
- Plan where to plant your fall bulbs.
- Take photos and update your garden journal.
- Set aside a few hours each weekend for attending garden shows and tours. | DC Gardens
- Go on a local house or garden tour to see what plants are thriving in other’s area home gardens: http://www.visitmaryland.org/list/gardens-maryland
Flowers and Groundcovers:
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming.
- Remove spent lilac and rhododendron blossoms.
- Video: Pruning (or NOT Pruning) Rhododendrons
We have 36 new curated videos on the nonprofit site
- Video: Pruning (or NOT Pruning) Rhododendrons
- Fertilize azaleas and rhododendrons and monitor them closely for any lacebug damage.
- Take cuttings from azaleas and roses to start new plants.
- Cut a few flowers to enjoy at your workplace.
- Tie-up climbing roses and other wandering vines.
- See University of Maryland Extension HGIC’s site for tips on caring for vines.
- HGIC Article: A Rose is a Rose…Not always! Look at ‘Knock Out’ Landscape Roses
- Try a few new tropical plants on your patio.
- Start a sunflower patch with help from a few kids.
- Pinch buds of fall-blooming plants (asters, mums, Joe-Pye weed).
- Prune azaleas directly after blooming.
- Water transplants when dry.
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Pinch out growing tips of leggy transplants.
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Fertilize spring blooming bulbs after flowering.
- Stake tall plants.
- Fill in bare spots with annuals
- Spray roses with Neem oil every two weeks
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Pests to watch for: 4-lined plant bug, Aphids, slugs
- Diseases to watch for: powdery mildew
- See UMD’s HGIC’s June Flower tips for more details.
Trees and Shrubs:
- Contact a certified arborist to have your trees’ health inspected.
- Transplanting azaleas is still possible.
- Take soft wood cuttings of plants to propagate.
- Shape your evergreens and hedges.
- Prune boxwoods.
- Prune flowering shrubs as their flowers fade. Last chance to do so for fall-blooming camellias.
- Walnut Wilt (Juglone) – Trees and Shrubs Common Problems
Some plants will not grow near black walnut trees. Plants growing near black walnut trees may show reduced growth, wilt and eventually die. Walnut wilt should be suspected when wilting occurs even though there is sufficient soil moisture. See the University of Maryland Extension HGIC’s site with a list of plants that may be affected by the black walnut tree. - Sweetshrub (Calycanthus floridus) has many common names, including Carolina allspice, strawberry-bush, sweet bubby, sweet Betsy and spicebush. As these names indicate, it is valued for the sweet, often fruity fragrance of its flowers. Sweetshrub is native along the east coast from Pennsylvania south to northern Florida and west to Mississippi. In South Carolina it is native in the Upstate and Central regions, and grows well throughout the state. See details on this popular shrub on Clemson University’s site.
- Fertilizing Landscape Trees and Shrubs Tips: How much and how often to fertilize shade trees? See the University of Maryland Extension HGIC’s site for details.
- Pests to watch for: Gypsy moths, sawfly, azalea lacebug, webworm, spidermites, leafminers, caterpillars, adelgids, scale, aphids, borers, bagworms, and Japanese beetles.
- Diseases to watch for: Powdery mildew.
- See HGIC’s June Trees and Shrubs Tips for more details.
- Remove finished plants.
- Plant warm season plants.
- Second week in June is the last week to plant summer squash.
- Harvest strawberry beds daily.
- Sow beets, beans, cucumbers, pumpkins, Swiss Chard, mustard greens, and squash for fall harvest.
- Cardoon is a popular ingredient in Mediterranean cooking and has been cultivated since ancient times. It is perennial in zones 6-10.
Cynara cardunculus - New fruit plants— keep watered their first spring, summer and fall.
- Cover berry bushes and fruit trees with bird netting.
- Clean up fallen fruit and berries.
- Harvest herbs to use in salads and summer dishes.
- Dig up garlic when the tops turn brown. Let dry in the sun, then store.
- Pests to watch for: Asparagus beetle, cabbageworm, corn borer, corn earworm, cucumber beetles, slugs, tomato hornworm.
- Video: How to Identify Insect Pests in Your Vegetable Garden – “CSI: Garden Pests”
Something bugging you? Mike Raupp on how to identify insect pests in your vegetable garden.
- Video: How to Identify Insect Pests in Your Vegetable Garden – “CSI: Garden Pests”
- Diseases to watch for: Fungal, bacterial, viral diseases.
- Here are some more fruit and vegetable gardening tips for June from UMD’s HGIC.
Lawns:
- Mow in the early evening and cut off no more than one-third of the grass height at a time. Leave clippings on the ground to provide nutrients.
- Sharpen your lawnmower blades.
- Turn your compost pile.
- Diseases to watch for: dollar spot, brown patch and red thread
- Pests to watch for: Grubs
- See HGIC’s June Lawn Tips for more details.
Indoors/Houseplants:
- Fertilize houseplants.
- Begin hardening off prior to putting outside in shade for summer.
- Houseplants can be combined with flowering annuals in container plantings.
- Monitor for insect problems.
- Pests to watch for: Spidermites, mealybug, scale, aphids
- See HGIC’s June Houseplants Tips for more tips.
Indoor/Outdoor Insect and Wildlife Tips:
- Watch for insect and disease problems throughout your garden.
- This is the perfect time to apply grub control.
- Avoid using pesticides or any chemicals near your water garden.
- Watch for ants , carpenter bees, mining bees, mosquitos, stink bugs, termites, ticks.
- See the University of Maryland Extension HGIC’s tips Mon Mosquitos and prevention of the Zika Virus.
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See HGIC’s June Insect Tips for more details.
- This is snake mating season, their most active time of year. Snakes are beneficial creatures and should not be harmed. Snakes in the garden help control insect and rodent pests. See the HGIC June Wildlife tips for identifying snakes.
- Prevent deer from feeding on garden and landscape plants, by applying a repellent, such as “Deer-Away”, “Liquid Fence”, “Deer-Off”, “Hinder” or “Ro-Pel” to vulnerable plants. Grow plants seldom damaged by deer. See FS 655 Deer Resistant Ornamentals.
- Watch for: rabbits, groundhogs, deer, moles, snakes, squirrels, and voles.
- For more information on wildlife management and attracting wildlife see HGIC’s June Wildlife tips.
Source: University of Maryland’s Home and Garden Information Center (HGIC) and the Washington Gardener.
June
See below for upcoming local events in June.
Montgomery Parks Special Events & Festivals
More events are being added regularly. Please check back often!
Additional information on Summer Festivals: Montgomery Parks Announces 2016 Summer Festivals
?Save the date for these upcoming Summer events! Events include the Sandy Spring Strawberry Festival, Climb a Tree, Wings of Fancy at Brookside Gardens, and more!
Montgomery Parks Summer Volunteer Opportunities!
Looking for volunteer opportunities this summer? There are still some openings left for Montgomery Parks including Brookside Garden’s Butterfly Exhibit, Gardeners at Brookside Nature Center, and summer camp counselors at various Montgomery Park Nature Centers.
Many of our Nature Center Summer Camps are still looking for Volunteer Counselors! Follow the link to see a list of the camps and find out how you can get involved.
WINGS OF FANCY
Wednesday, April 27 – Sunday, September 25
10 a.m.-4:00 p.m. | Brookside Gardens
$8 ages 13 and up | $5 ages 3-12 | Free ages 0-2
Brookside Gardens is happy to announce the return of its premier Wings of Fancy Live Butterfly and Caterpillar Exhibit. The seasonal display features hundreds of live butterflies from all over the world. Families, students, nature lovers, and everyone in between can get an up close experience of these brilliant butterflies from North America, Costa Rica, Africa and Asia as they soar among colorful flowers. Visitors can learn about their amazing metamorphosis, the important role butterflies play in having healthy ecosystems, and how to ensure these beautiful insects thrive in our own gardens.
Climb-A-Tree at Elm Street Park |
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Saturday, June 4 |
9 a.m.-Noon | Elm Street Urban Park | FREE
Come climb a giant tree in Montgomery Parks! Join our arborists as they provide safety gear, assistance and encouragement to help kids put their heads in the clouds and see our parks from a new perspective. Tons of fun and free for all! Let’s see how high you can climb! Join us at any of the following dates, times and locations for a fun adventure among the trees:
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| More Info |
SANDY SPRING STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL
Saturday, June 4
Sandy Spring Strawberry Festival is back for the 35th year. Enjoy live music, dance performances, petting zoo, beer garden and more at the Sandy Spring Museum from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fresh local strawberries and shortcake will be available.
Sandy Spring Museum
17901 Bentley Road
Sandy Spring, MD 20860
6TH ANNUAL GARDEN PARTY AT BEHNKE NURSERIES
Saturday, June 4, 10:00am-2:00pm. 
Keynote speaker sponsored by Espoma: Kerry Ann Mendez.
Kerry Anne is an award-winning garden designer and author of four gardening books. Design Tips for Knockout, Easy-Care Flower Gardens. Gorgeous, low-maintenance gardens are no accident. Learn proven design tricks for sensational gardens, including selecting great plants, design strategies, incorporating focal points, vertical interest, sustainable practices and more. Book signing to follow.
- Buy Raffle Tickets to support Friends of Brookside Gardens.
- Play Garden Party Games: Garden Hat Contest, Garden Trivia and more!
- See the full list of the days events here!
BROOKSIDE GARDENS SATURDAY WALKS – FREE TOUR
Saturday, June 4 and 18
10:00 am-11:00 am
Ages 18 and Up
Brookside Gardens
1800 Glenallan Ave
Wheaton, MD 20902
Maryland’s Best ‘Ice Cream Trail’ Passport Challenge Begins
May 20 to Sept. 23
Maryland has nine dairy farms that offer fresh, delicious on-farm ice cream. Together, they make up the Maryland’s Best Ice Cream Trail. Visit each creamery and get your trail passport stamped before September 23rd and you may be named Maryland’s 2016 Ice Cream Trail Blazer!
No purchase is necessary to participate. Completed passports must be postmarked by Sept. 26.
Learn more about dairy farming at www.dairyspot.com.
http://marylandsbest.net/marylands-best-ice-cream-trail/
Woodlawn Visitor Center Opening Celebrations |
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Saturday, June 11 |
Noon-4:00 p.m. | Woodlawn Manor Cultural Park
Free! Montgomery Parks is excited to open this historic gem to the public. Explore the Stone Barn exhibits where echoes of the past will tell the story of a bustling farm, its community, and those who made a bold bid for freedom on the Underground Railroad. Learn about Woodlawn’s earliest residents and their neighbors. The celebration will include, living history demonstrations, tours, activities for children, food, live music and a special performance featuring the extraordinary music of the Washington Revels Jubilee Voices. The Washington Revels Jubilee Voices ensemble is committed to the preservation of African American history and traditions – presenting songs and stories of struggle and perseverance, trials and triumphs, as expressed through a cappella music, drama and dance. |
| More Info Facebook Info |
BROOKSIDE gARDEN’S Summer Concert Series |
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Every Tuesday in June
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| 6:30 p.m. – 8:00 p.m. | Brookside Gardens
Join us Tuesday evenings in June for a series of musical performances set in the beauty of the Gardens! Bring your friends and family, and don’t forget your chairs, blankets and picnics (allowed in the Gardens on concert evenings only) June 7th Crawdaddies-cajun, zydeco and blues band June 14th Damon Foreman-blues and funk June 21st Ocho de Bastos-Latin rock June 28th U-Liners-Americana and roots rock |
| More Info |
Kid’s Fishing Day |
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Saturday, June 11 and Saturday, June 25 |
| 8:30 a.m.- 10:30 a.m. | Both Dates Saturday, June 11: Lake Needwood Boats Saturday, June 25: Black Hill Boats $12 | Ages: At least 3, but less than 16Get in on the fishy fun! Free cane pole to the first 25 kids registered, and prizes for the boy or girl who catch the biggest, smallest, and greatest number of fish. We’ll teach the kids how to bait a hook with worms, put their line in the water, and pull those fish in. We’ll also talk about the kinds of fish that swim in this lake, what they like to eat, and the best way to catch them. You’ll receive an email if you are one of the first 25 registrants, otherwise bring your pole! |
| June 11 RegistrationJune 25 Registration |
Brookside Garden’s Xperience Speaker Series: Native Bees in Your Garden
Tuesday, June 21
10:00 – 11:30am
Sam Droege, Head of the United States Geological Survey Bee Monitoring Lab. Open your eyes to an entirely new world in yourown backyard. Sam Droege, biologist and macro photographer extraordinaire, collects and photographs the thousands of native bee species that thrive locally and around the nation. These small and often overlooked organisms are incredibly vital to your garden and our local ecosystem; Sam will show you how to welcome them to your property.
Course # 14880
Fee: $15, FOBG: $13; registration required
Visitors Center Auditorium
Brookside Gardens
1800 Glenallan Avenue
Wheaton, MD, US 20902
| Phone: | (301) 962-1404 |
Climb-A-Tree at Fairview Park |
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Wednesday, June 22 |
| 9 a.m.-Noon | Fairview Urban Park | FREE
Come climb a giant tree in Montgomery Parks! Join our arborists as they provide safety gear, assistance and encouragement to help kids put their heads in the clouds and see our parks from a new perspective. Tons of fun and free for all! Let’s see how high you can climb! Join us at any of the following dates, times and locations for a fun adventure among the trees:
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| More Info |
July
Climb-A-Tree at Wall Park |
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Wednesday, July 6 |
| 9 a.m.-Noon | Wall Park | FREE
Come climb a giant tree in Montgomery Parks! Join our arborists as they provide safety gear, assistance and encouragement to help kids put their heads in the clouds and see our parks from a new perspective. Tons of fun and free for all! Let’s see how high you can climb! Join us at any of the following dates, times and locations for a fun adventure among the trees:
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| More Info |
Wings and Wine
Thursday, July 7, 7:00 – 9:00pm
What do butterflies do when the sun sets? Find out with exclusive evening access to our Wings of Fancy exhibit! Sample local wines as butterflies and music swirl around you; learn more about the fascinating extended family family of butterflies- Lepidoptera. Finish off the evening by potting up a butterfly container garden to take home.
Course # 14886
Fee (per two people): $60, FOBG:
Brookside Gardens Conservatory
Brookside Gardens
1800 Glenallan Avenue
Wheaton, MD, US 20902
| Phone: | (301) 962-1404 |
FIELD & FIDDLE FEST 2016
Montgomery Countryside Alliance
Saturday, July 23, 2016 from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM (EDT)
Linden Farm 20900 Martinsburg Road Dickerson, MD
Montgomery County Farm Tour
July 23 – 24, 2016
Montgomery County, Maryland celebrates its agricultural heritage, promotes local farms, and provides residents the opportunity to indulge in seasonally fresh food during the Annual Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale. The Farm Tour provides people with an opportunity to purchase fresh fruits, vegetables, flowers, plants and other local products. Several farms have hayrides, pony rides, music, demonstrations and other fun and educational activities for all ages. It’s an educational experience and a great family day outing.
Support our local farmers by visiting local farms and buying fresh produce, vegetables, and even wine! See below for a list of Montgomery County farms in the area. Don’t miss the Montgomery County Farm Tour and Harvest Sale Saturday–Sunday, July 23 – 24, 2016, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Montgomery County Farm Tour is held rain or shine. However, in the event of rain, some events and activities may be delayed or canceled.
Source: http://dc.about.com/od/specialevents/a/MCFarmTour.htm
Details on the Farm Tour: www.montgomerycountymd.gov/farmtour
Google Map Farm Tour Farm Participant Locater
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/MontgomeryCountyFarmTourAndHarvestSale