Not too hot, not too cold are the weather hallmarks for June in Southern California.
The moderate weather is just what most plants and trees need for rapid growth.
Planting Window For Tropicals: June is the time to plant or transplant tropicals such as palms, banana trees, ferns, ginger, hibiscus, orchids and bougainvillea.
Don't wait until the hot summer months.
Mild weather reduces the stress of planting or transplanting.
Transplant Trees: Properly transplanting a tree is often the key to its future health.
First, dig a hole at least twice a large as the tree's root system.
Set the tree in the hole and position it properly.
Fill the hole with a mixture of soil conditioner and soil.
Press firmly on the soil and water deeply and thoroughly.
The soil should be moist at all times for the first three to four weeks following transplanting.
Apply a two to three inch layer of mulch around the trunk (but not touching the trunk) to keep in moisture and the soil cool.
Caring for Avocado Trees: Although avocado trees are hearty once established, they are susceptible to overwatering during their early years.
Plant your avocado trees in well-draining, loose soil.
If the avocado tree is in a pot, make sure the pot contains plenty of drainage holes.
Overwatering can produce root rot--the single most common reason young avocado trees fail.
Let the soil around the tree become somewhat dry before watering.
Expect leaves to drop all year.
Keep the leaves around the tree or use mulch to retain soil moisture.
The leaves will naturally compost and introduce nutrients into the soil.
Flowers bloom in spring, but don't be disappointed when most of the flowers fall.
This is normal.
If all goes right, expect fruit two to three years after planting.
Plant Pumpkins: Halloween may seem far off, but now is the time to plant pumpkin plants so pumpkins will be ready for harvest and carving in October.
If planting from seed, plants will begin to sprout seven to 10 days after planting.
The plants need lots of warmth and moisture to thrive.
Leave plenty of room for the plants' vines to spread and develop.
Yellow flowers will start to appear about three weeks after plant growth begins.
The flowers will develop into pumpkins after they are pollinated.
Pumpkins will be ready for picking in three to four months.