Extension

Trees and Shrubs

• Vigorous, unwanted limbs should be removed or shortened on new trees. Watch for forks in the main trunk and remove the least desirable trunk as soon as it is noticed. (Training Young Shade and Ornamental Trees - HLA-6415)
• Pine needle disease treatments are needed again in mid-June.
• Remove tree wraps during the summer to avoid potential disease and insect buildup.
• Softwood cuttings from new growth of many shrubs will root if propagated in a moist shady spot.
• Protect trees from lawnmowers and weed eaters by mulching or using protective aerated covers.
• Watch for first generation fall webworm. (Ornamental and Lawn Pest Control (For Homeowners) - EPP-7306)

Flower Beds

• Remain alert for insect damage, including spider mites. The foliage of most plants becomes pale and speckled; juniper foliage turns a pale yellowish color. Shake a branch over white paper and watch for tiny specks to crawl.
• Mulch ornamental beds after heavy spring rains have passed. Mulching helps reduce weed pressure, prevents soil crusting, and reduces about 70% of the summer landscape maintenance.
• Continue to water the landscape deeply as needed. Apply at least one inch of water each time.
• Pinch back leggy annuals to encourage new growth. Fertilize and water appropriately.
• Feed established mums and other perennials.
• When picking fresh roses or removing faded ones, cut back to a leaflet facing the outside of the bush to encourage open growth and air circulation.
• Shake tall perennials before toppling winds arise.

Vegetables

• Mulch vegetable beds to control weeds, regulate soil temperature, and encourage moisture retention. Organic mulches, like wood chips, leaf litter, or grass clippings, will break down overtime and help with overall soil health.
• Watch for spider mite damage as temperatures increase. Spider mites prefer stressed plants, so ensure that garden beds receive proper irrigation throughout hot summer months.
• Diligently scout for squash bug eggs on cucurbit plants. Controlling small, young populations is much easier than controlling adults.

Lawn and Turf

• Fertilize warm season grasses at 0.5 to 1 lb. N per 1,000 square feet. Do not fertilize fescue and other cool season grasses during the summer.
• Dollar spot disease of lawns can first become visible in mid-May. Make certain fertilizer applications have been adequate before applying a fungicide. (Dollar Spot of Turfgrass - EPP-7658)
• Seeding of warm-season grasses should be completed by the end of June (through July for improved varieties such as Monaco, Yukon, and Riviera to reduce winterkill losses. (Establishing a Lawn in Oklahoma - HLA-6419)
• Brown patch disease of cool-season grasses can be a problem, avoid over watering these grasses. (Lawn Management in Oklahoma - HLA-6420)
• White grubs will soon be emerging as adult June Beetles. Watch for high populations that can indicate potential damage from later life cycle stages as grubs in the summer. Apply preventative white grub treatments from late April to early June.
• Post-emergent control of crabgrass and summer annual grasses is best performed on young plants. (Lawn Management in Oklahoma - HLA-6420)
• Conduct the simple irrigation audit in your home lawn. This simple procedure may save you money, keep plants healthier and help conserve Oklahoma water resources. (Simple Irrigation Audit for Home Lawns in Oklahoma - HLA-6610)
• Aerification of warm-season grasses like Bermudagrass should be done in summer months if needed to control compaction.

Fruit and Nuts

Renovate overgrown strawberry beds after the last harvest. Start by setting your lawnmower to its highest setting and mow off the foliage. Next thin crowns 12-24 inches apart. Apply recommended fertilizer, preemergence herbicide if needed and keep watered. (Growing Strawberries in the Home Garden - HLA-6214)

General

Find someone to water plants in the house and garden while on vacation. Harvesting vegetables and mowing the lawn are a must and imply that someone is home.