If Virginia is for Lovers, then June is for Mulchers!

Bark, shredded newsprint, shredded leaves, wood chips and grass clippings can all be excellent as mulch. Mulching reduces weeds, keeps soil moist and full of nutrients on hot summer days. A good mulching can make a yard look dignified, perhaps even "landscaped".

In your vegetable garden, shredded leaves and grass clippings are the best mulch. To help plants tolerate dry summer weather, water vegetables deeply once a week rather than light watering daily. Weekly thorough watering encourages deep roots and resistance to drought.

Pick strawberries, currents and other berries as soon as they are ripe. Use netting to prevent your bounty from getting eaten by birds. Some immature apples may fall off your tree this month; this is called "June Drop". Thin them to one per cluster for a better harvest later.