6 Lawn and Garden Tasks You Should Do Before June (And 1 You Can Skip!)

It's time to get growing.

Spring has finally arrived, and summer will be here before you know it. As the frost lifts, it’s probably time to think about working on your garden. Whether you’re planting flowers, veggies, or both, remember that nothing grows on its own. So, it’s important to start getting ready now for your most beautiful garden yet. Here are seven lawn and garden tasks to do before June.

Check Your Tools and Supplies

If you don’t live in a year-round sunny or warm climate, the last time you took out your garden tools was probably at least a few months ago. Perhaps you didn’t notice your shears were a little dull or your garden gloves had a few holes in them. Don’t wait on this task. Check to make sure all of your tools are in good, working order. Then plan to replace anything that’s no longer functional.

Before you visit your local garden center, it’s also a good time to check on your supplies. Do you have enough soil? Do you need some new planters? Make a list so you do not forget anything.

Related: The 11 Top Gardening Trends of 2024, So Far

Start Weeding

While it’s probably the least fun part of gardening, Sara Abbass, owner of Sara Mairead Landscape Design, recommends beginning the weeding process before things get out of control. “Start weeding the invasive plants emerging in the spring such as Lesser Celandine and Mugwort, both of which can overrun your garden.”

Prepare Your Garden Bed

Abbass suggests prepping your beds as soon as you can. This also allows for ample time in case anything needs to be ordered. “Carve out the intended space, prep the soil if amending is necessary (check soil testing available with your local Cornell Cooperative Organization), and plan the types of plants and quantities now so that you can order and the nursery hasn’t sold out of what you would like to install.”

Prune Any Flowering Shrubs

“Prune any flowering shrub such as lilac, viburnum, or ninebark immediately after blooming,” says Abbass. “Most shrubs that bloom in the spring bloom on old wood, so they set their new buds for the next year not long after blooming has finished.”

Plant Dahlia Bulbs

Who doesn’t love dahlias? If you’ve been thinking about planting dahlias, Anna Testa, Director of Garden Design and Maintenance for CMLA, tells me to get it done before June. “Plant dahlia bulbs, as this is the perfect time for planting.”

Treat Roses

There’s nothing quite like a garden full of blooming roses. But nothing ruins the beauty of this flower quite like black spot does. Fortunately, this is preventable. Testa tells me to treat roses in the spring with fungicidal spray to stop this unsightly issue.

One to Skip: Leave the Stalks

Abbass advises holding back on cutting those stalks. “Wait until the weather consistently is at 50 degrees and the hibernating pollinators can emerge and safely fly. Over the winter, native bee species hibernate in hollow stalks such as Joe Pye Weed or bury in the ground under leaf piles.”

While it might be tempting—Abbass tells me it's best to resist the urge. “Cutting back some of your garden and consider leaving those cut stalks bunched together in a safe location on your property.”

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