Terry L. Ettinger Horticulture Consulting Services
Meeting The Needs Of Today With A Vision For The Future
June Weather
Average High Temperature: 77°F
Record High Temperature: 98°F (the 21st, 1953)
Average Low Temperature: 54.6°F
Record Low Temperature: 35°F (the 1st, 1966)
Average Precipitation: 3.71" inches
Maximum Precipitation: 12.30" (1972)
Minimum Precipitation: 1.00" (1995)
June can be a tricky month in the garden.
It's often idyllic with temperatures consistently in the 70's and a nice, soaking rain every week to ten days to keep everything growing rapidly - perfect for the peak bloom of the more than 3,000 roses at the E.M. Mills Rose Garden in Syracuse (at right)!
There are years, however, when temperatures will rise well into the 80's or low 90's for much of the month, accompanied by only a couple of thundershowers a couple of weeks apart. In years like this, it's not unusual for lawns to start turning brown as they enter summer dormancy.
Also, when a hot, dry June follows an unusually wet and cool May, it's not unusual for many young plants to wilt quickly, even shortly after they've been watered.
The reason for this is that the wet, cold soil conditions in May prevented their roots from growing quickly into the surrounding soil. Therefore, since their root systems are somewhat stunted, they're unable to take up enough water fast enough during hot days in June to keep from wilting - even though there maybe be plenty of moisture in the soil!
The best way to combat this rapid wilting isn't to water more, as there's often plenty of water in the soil. Rather, move potted plants to a spot where they're shaded during the heat of the day if possible. Or, in the garden, drape window screening over a simple frame of scrap wood or plastic pipe to cut the intensity of the mid-afternoon sun.