What to Plant This Month- June
 

IN THE NURSERIES: There's a huge variety of blooming plants available right now. Try thinking about when you entertain. Is something blooming in your yard each summer month?

It's also a good time for planting citrus since nurseries are well-stocked and since the trees will have time to get established before winter.

ANNUALS: If you didn't plant last month, there's still time to add some heat-loving annual color to your yard such as: petunias, million bells, marigolds, zinnias and more. Do it soon, though!
PERENNIALS: Sooooo many perennials are blooming right now. Visit your local nursery and grab something that catches your eye. A few popular choices include: echinacea, lavender, penstemon, canna, catmint, gaura, rudbeckia, geum, daylilies and agapanthus.
CACTI & SUCCULENTS: Plant this month, while soil is dry, to avoid conditions favoring rotting.
HERBS: June is a great time to plant herbs. Nurseries are very well-stocked with the likes of basil, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, etc. Look for "slow-bolting" cilantro, such as Renee's Cilantro 'Slow-bolt'. Like pesto? Try Renee's 'Italian Pesto' basil.

VEGETABLES: Plant lima beans, cantaloupes, celeriac, celery, chard, chayote, sweet corn (repeat sow), cucumbers, parsnips, sweet potatoes, pumpkins, radish, summer squash, winter squash, and watermelon.

Check your local nursery for already started seedlings or, in the case of easily-sprouted corn, melons and squash, plant in place from seed.

More Resources:
Yearly Vegetable Planting Calendar
UC VRIC Table 2: Vegetable Gardening at a Glance: How to Plant and Store (pdf file, requires Adobe  Reader)

LANDSCAPE TREES: June is not the ideal time for tree planting. Fall is usually considered the best time; early spring (when soil's workable and it's not too hot) runs a close 2nd. If you must plant now, be especially vigilant about watering. Visit the Sacramento Tree Foundation's website for the lowdown on Sacramento area trees. Also see my picks and the City of Sacramento's Tree Planting Guide. If you're a SMUD customer, you may qualify for free shade trees! Click here to see trees being offered the Sacramento Shade Program and how to get them.