Tips for a Thriving Summer Garden
From your friends at Fran’s Flowers
June is one of our absolute favorite months at Fran’s Flowers. The gardens are waking up in full color, the days are long and warm, and it feels like everything is bursting with life. If you’ve been thinking you missed your chance to plant—think again. June is prime time for getting your hands in the soil, whether you’re refreshing your annuals, filling in perennials, adding structure with shrubs, or sneaking in some late-season veggies.
Here’s why June is the sweet spot—and how to make the most of it.
🌼 Annuals: Instant Color, All Season Long
Annuals planted in June catch the warmth they crave right away. No more chilly nights to hold them back! Whether you’re filling containers, window boxes, or bare spots in your garden, annuals like petunias, marigolds, calibrachoa, and zinnias will take off fast and bloom right through summer.
At Fran’s Flowers, we grow and care for a wide selection of vibrant annuals that are ready to go home with you and start showing off. Be sure to pinch back leggy stems and keep them well-watered, especially in containers.
🌿 Perennials: Root Now, Bloom for Years
June is an excellent time to plant perennials because the soil is warm enough to encourage strong root growth. Hostas, daylilies, coneflowers, salvia, and other summer-loving varieties will settle in quickly, giving you long-lasting color and structure.
Perennials from Fran’s Flowers are grown to thrive in local conditions, and we’re always happy to help you choose plants that match your sun and soil needs. Give them a deep watering after planting and add mulch to keep the roots cool and moist.
🌳 Shrubs: Build the Bones of Your Landscape
Planting shrubs in June might surprise some gardeners—but it’s a great time to do it! As long as you keep them well-watered through dry spells, shrubs like hydrangeas, spirea, and viburnums will get a healthy head start before the fall.
We always recommend digging a wide hole (twice as wide as the root ball) and mixing in compost or soil conditioner. At Fran’s Flowers, we’ll help you pick shrubs suited for your space—sun or shade—and teach you how to get them off to a strong start.
🥬 Late Veggies: Yes, You Can!
Don’t rule out the veggie patch just yet. There’s still time in June to plant quick-growing crops like beans, zucchini, cucumbers, carrots, and even a second round of lettuce or kale. These summer staples thrive in warm soil and longer days.
Fran’s Flowers has veggie starts and seeds ready to plant now, and our team is full of tips for succession planting so you can harvest well into the season.
🌞 Sun, Soil, and Watering Wisdom
No matter what you’re planting, success in June comes down to these basics:
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Soil Prep: Good soil = happy plants. We recommend mixing in compost, aged manure, or a balanced garden soil before planting. Ask us for local favorites!
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Watering: Water deeply and regularly, especially the first few weeks after planting. Early morning is best to reduce evaporation and prevent disease.
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Sun Exposure: Know your space! Full sun means at least 6 hours of direct light. Be sure your plants match their sun/shade preferences for best performance.
At Fran’s Flowers, we’re all about helping you create a garden that brings you joy all season long. June is the perfect month to dig in—whether you’re a weekend warrior or just starting your gardening journey.
Stop by Fran’s Flowers for fresh plants, expert advice, and everything you need to grow a beautiful summer garden. Let’s make this the season your garden truly thrives!