June 7, 2025 - Weekly Gardening Guide
Episode Transcript
[Intro Music]
Welcome to the Keep Growing Podcast, where we dig into the dirt and share tips to keep your garden thriving! I’m your host, John Morgan, and today we’re diving into Week 24, spanning June 7th through June 13th, 2025. We’ve got a packed episode with gardening tasks, weather updates, a lunar planting tip, and a special shout-out to a sale at Bob’s. So grab your trowel, and let’s get growing!
Gardening Tasks for Week 24
Alright, gardeners, let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work. Here’s what you should focus on this week to keep your garden in top shape.
Seed Sweet Corn, Beets, and Winter Squash
June is a great time to get these crops in the ground. Sweet corn loves warm soil, so plant seeds about 1 inch deep and 8–12 inches apart in rows. Beets are forgiving and can be sown directly—aim for half an inch deep and thin to 3 inches apart for those tender roots. Winter squash, like butternut or acorn, needs space to sprawl, so give each plant 3–4 feet. These are long-season crops, so get them started now for a fall harvest.
Seed Basil as a Tomato Companion
Basil and tomatoes are best buds in the garden. Sow basil seeds near your tomato plants to repel pests like aphids and improve flavor. Plant seeds a quarter-inch deep in well-drained soil, and keep them moist. Pro tip: Pinch back basil regularly to encourage bushy growth and prevent flowering. Plus, you’ll have plenty for pesto!
Plant Celery
Celery loves cooler temps but can handle early summer planting if you keep it hydrated. Set transplants 6–8 inches apart in rich, moist soil. Mulch around them to retain moisture, and consider blanching the stalks with cardboard or straw for sweeter flavor. Patience is key—celery takes time but is worth the effort.
Mulch Your Garden to Conserve Moisture
With temperatures climbing, mulching is a must. Spread 2–3 inches of organic mulch—like straw, wood chips, or grass clippings—around your plants. This keeps soil cool, reduces evaporation, and suppresses weeds. Just keep mulch a few inches away from plant stems to prevent rot.
Monitor for Garden Pests / Begin Bagworm Control
Pests are waking up, so scout your garden daily. Look for chewed leaves, sticky residue, or wilting plants. For bagworms—those sneaky pests on evergreens—check for their telltale spindle-shaped bags. Hand-pick small infestations or use an organic spray like Bt (Bacillus thuringiensis) for control. Act fast, as bagworms can defoliate trees in no time.
Summer Prune Apples and Peaches
Now’s the time to give your fruit trees a light summer pruning. For apples and peaches, remove water sprouts, suckers, and any crowded branches to improve air circulation and fruit quality. Aim to open up the canopy but don’t overdo it—save heavy pruning for winter. Clean your tools between cuts to prevent disease spread.
Lunar Gardening Tip
Mark your calendars for the Full Moon on Wednesday, June 11th. This is a prime time to plant root crops like carrots, radishes, or turnips. The full moon’s gravitational pull is believed to boost moisture in the soil, giving root crops a strong start. If you’re into lunar gardening, don’t miss this window!
[Segment Transition: Thunderclap sound]
Weather Watch
Let’s talk weather, because Mother Nature’s got some plans this week. Brace for thunderstorms on Saturday and Sunday, June 7th and 8th, especially in the afternoon and evening. These storms could bring damaging winds and large hail, so secure loose garden items like trellises or pots. Localized flash flooding is also possible, so check your drainage systems and avoid planting in low-lying areas over the weekend.
A cold front moves through midday Tuesday, June 10th, bringing calmer, drier weather. Expect temperatures in the upper 70s to low 80s Tuesday and Wednesday, climbing to the mid-to-upper 80s by Thursday and Friday as a high-pressure ridge settles in. With that heat, make sure your plants are well-watered, especially newly seeded crops like corn and beets.
[Segment Transition: Instrumental Theme]
Bob’s Market Sale
Before we wrap up, a quick shout-out our Markets, where our annual customer appreciation sale is happening now! We’ve got killer deals on plants and garden supplies, but it’s while supplies last, so don’t wait. Swing by, stock up, and tell ‘em John Morgan sent you!
That’s it for Week 24, folks! To recap: seed your corn, beets, and squash; plant basil and celery; mulch like a pro; watch for pests; prune those fruit trees; and get those root crops in during the full moon. Stay safe during those weekend storms, and enjoy the warm weather ahead. Thanks for tuning in to the Keep Growing Podcast. Until next week, keep your hands in the soil, your heart in the garden, and, of course, keep growing!
[End Music: Fades out]
Photo by Felix Mittermeier via PxHere
