June 21, 2025 - Weekly Gardening Guide

Episode Transcript

Welcome back to the Keep Growing Podcast, your weekly guide to thriving in the garden and staying in tune with nature’s rhythm! I’m your host, John Morgan, and this is Week 26 of 2025, covering June 21st through June 27th. We’ve got a packed episode today with practical gardening tips, a lunar planting cue, and a heads-up about some serious weather in the forecast. So, grab your trowel, and let’s dig in! 

[Segment 1: Weather Alert – Extreme Heat Watch]

Before we get to our gardening tasks, let’s address the elephant in the room—or rather, the heat wave in the forecast. An Extreme Heat Watch is in effect for portions of northeast Kentucky, southeast Ohio, and central, northern, southern, and western West Virginia from Sunday afternoon through Wednesday evening. We’re talking dangerously hot conditions with heat index values potentially reaching 106. That’s no joke, folks. 

This kind of heat can increase the risk of heat-related illnesses, so here’s what you need to do: 

·       Drink plenty of fluids—water is your best friend. 

·       Stay in air-conditioned spaces as much as possible. 

·       Avoid direct sun, especially during peak hours. 

·       And please, check on neighbors and relatives, especially the elderly.

For your garden, this heat means extra vigilance. Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation, and consider shade cloth for sensitive plants. We’ll weave more heat tips into our tasks, so let’s get to them. 

[Segment 2: Gardening Tasks for Week 26]

Alright, let’s roll up our sleeves and talk about what’s on the gardening to-do list this week. We’ve got seven key tasks to keep your garden thriving, even in this heat. 

1. Transplant Late Tomatoes and Peppers

Now’s the time to get those late-season tomato and pepper transplants in the ground. Choose heat-tolerant varieties, and plant them in well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. With the heat watch in mind, transplant in the early morning or late evening, and water deeply to help them settle in. A layer of mulch will keep the soil cooler and retain moisture. 

2. End Asparagus Harvest

For those of you with asparagus beds, it’s time to stop harvesting. Letting the spears grow into ferns now will recharge the roots for next year’s crop. Keep the bed weeded and watered, especially during this heat wave, to support those ferns. A light layer of compost can give the plants a nutrient boost as they shift gears. 

3. Harvest Beet Greens

Beet greens are at their peak right now—tender, nutritious, and perfect for salads or sautéing. Snip the outer leaves, leaving the inner ones to keep growing. Harvest in the morning when they’re crisp, and with this heat, store them in a cool place to prevent wilting. Pro tip: pair those greens with some goat cheese and walnuts for a summer treat. 

4. Treat Lawn for White Grubs

If you’ve noticed patchy, browning grass that pulls up easily, white grubs might be the culprit. These beetle larvae are active now, munching on grass roots. Check your lawn by lifting a small section of turf—if you see more than 5-10 grubs per square foot, it’s time to act. Use a biological control like milky spore or a targeted insecticide, and apply in the evening to minimize harm to pollinators. Water the treatment in well, but avoid overwatering in this heat. 

5. Prune Pine Trees

Pine trees are ready for a trim this week. Focus on removing dead or damaged branches and shaping young trees for structure. Pruning now encourages healthy growth before the trees slow down later in the season. Use clean, sharp tools, and avoid heavy cuts that could stress the tree, especially with the heat wave coming. Dispose of clippings properly to prevent pest issues. 

6. Add Non-Seed-Bearing Weeds to Compost

Weeding never stops, does it? But here’s a way to make it productive: add non-seed-bearing weeds to your compost pile. Weeds like chickweed or purslane that haven’t gone to seed are great for boosting your compost’s nitrogen content. Chop them up to speed decomposition, and keep your pile moist but not soggy, even in this heat. If weeds have seeds, send them to the trash to avoid trouble later. 

7. New Moon Planting – Wednesday, June 25th

Mark your calendars for the New Moon on Wednesday, June 25th! This is a prime time for planting seeds and transplants, as the lunar cycle supports root growth. Focus on crops like leafy greens, root veggies, or late-season beans. With the heat watch in effect, plant in the early morning, water thoroughly, and mulch to protect those tender roots. The moon’s got your back, so let’s make it count! 

[Segment 3: Listener Q&A]

Time for a quick listener question! Susan from West Virginia writes, “John, my tomatoes are wilting in the heat, even with regular watering. Help!” Susan, I feel you—this is a tough one. First, check your soil drainage; soggy roots can cause wilting, especially with the recent rain. If it’s not that, try shading your plants with a lightweight cloth during the hottest part of the day. Also, water deeply but less frequently to encourage strong roots. Believe it or not plants need dry periods to grow strong roots.  It’s kinda like exercising in the gym.  They need to feel the burn occasionally, and they haven’t with this recent rainy weather.  Heading into next week, it time to pump them up.  Also, be sure to fertilize, recent rains have leached nutrients from the soil. Hang in there, and let me know how it goes! 

Got a question? Send it to keepgrowing@bobsmarket.com, and I’ll tackle it on the air. 

[Segment 4: Closing & Heat Reminder]

That’s a wrap for Week 26, folks! To recap: transplant those late tomatoes and peppers, end your asparagus harvest, snip some beet greens, treat your lawn for grubs, prune those pines, compost those weeds, and get ready to plant under the New Moon on June 25th. Most importantly, stay safe in this extreme heat—hydrate, stay cool, and keep an eye on your loved ones. 

Thanks for tuning in to the Keep Growing Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode, share it with a fellow gardener and leave us a review—it helps us grow! Until next week, stay cool out there, and keep growing!