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June Oh what is more sweet than the month of June
When our senses thrill and our hearts keep tune
To the song of the birds and the rose in bloom? Oh what is more joy than the early gray
Of the dewy morn and the sun’s first ray
That herald the dawn of a perfect day? Oh what is more fair as the sun climbs high
Than the azure hue of the summer sky
And the snow-white clouds drifting idly by? Oh what is more pure than the summer air
That wafts from the woodlands and gardens fair
A fragrance and perfume so rich and rare? Oh what is more dear than the twilight hour
When the daylight fades and each nodding flower
Is kissed by the moonbeams’ mystic power? O, Summer Queen! you are gone too soon
With your sunny days and your shining moon,
With your golden grain and your wealth of bloom. And if we could hold in some magic way
To your trailing robes for a single day,
Dear month of June, we would bid you stay. by Lottie Brown Allen Painting: "Frühling" by Edmond Aman-Jean |
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While everyone is busy in their gardens and enjoying the beautiful weather, LTPL Grows will be taking a program break in June while our awesome Summer Reading Programs take over the community center! Get rewarded for reading this summer by signing up for COLOR OUR WORLD Summer Reading Challenge in READsquared.
All ages can participate!From June 1 through August 15, track the minutes you spend reading, attend virtual library events, complete fun Challenge Missions (like reading out loud to a pet or exploring one of our online resources), and earn prizes! Signup is free so beat the summer slide, keep your brain active, and participate as much as you can throughout the summer to win prizes! |
Basics of Seed SavingMonday August 18 @ 6:30 pmAs we get closer to autumn, it is time to learn when your seeds are ready to harvest and when to harvest them. We will cover which seeds are ready when you eat the crops, which have to dry on the vine, and which have to cure for a period beyond harvest before the seeds are ready to extract. Various techniques and tools for processing your seeds will be discussed as well as methods for storage. |
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LTPL Grows Seed Swap!Monday, September 22 @ 6:00 pm Gather your seeds and join us for the First Annual LTPL Seed Swap! Bring your seeds to trade or share and get to know your local gardening neighbors! Table space will be available on a first come, first serve basis and space is limited. If you don't have enough seeds to require table space, you are welcome to attend as a "roving swapper." |
It's June! New additions are still being added weekly! Check back often for best selection of new arrivals. In early June, when the nights have warmed, plant warm-weather crops that can be direct sown in the garden. The seed library has seeds for squash, melons, beans, corn, cucumbers, okra, sunflowers, and annual herbs and flowers. Our seed starting handout outlining what seeds to start when is available at the seed library. The LTPL Seed Library is open for business all year long with seasonally appropriate seeds added on an ongoing basis. The mission of the seed library is to promote gardening and encourage sustainability through seed saving. The seeds are available at no cost to you. Although it is not required, we hope that you will attempt to save seeds from your crops and return them to the seed library to help keep it self-sustaining. To use the seed library, simply make your selections and log your initials and number of packets taken on the clipboard. The clipboard and instructions are on top of the Seed Library cabinet.
Gardening handouts are available at the Seed Library and also on the LTPL Grows Webpage, along with informative videos! |
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In June: - Early in June, sow seeds for warm weather crops. These include squash, melons, corn, beans, cucumbers, okra, and sunflowers. Annual flowers like zinnias, cosmos, calendula, nasturtiums, and marigolds and annual herbs such as basil and borage can also be direct-sown.
- The first week of June is still a good time to finish up transplanting tomato, eggplant, pepper, and other warm-weather seedlings.
- After you harvest early spring crops, fill the vacant spots with fast-growing summer vegetables, including green and yellow snap beans, cucumbers, beets, carrots, chard, summer squash, and basil. Be sure to keep germinating seeds well-watered as the temperatures climb.
- The soil should be warm enough to plants sweet potato slips the first week of June.
- Garlic scapes will appear in June. These are the "flower stalks" of the garlic plant. Cutting the scapes puts the plant's energy into making roots instead of reproduction. Use them to flavor cooked dishes, salads, and pesto!
- Fertilize houseplants and place them outdoors in a protected location if you wish
- Information and online resources for starting and saving seed can be found on the LTPL Website.
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Michigan author Cohen's new book is full of beautiful color photos and detailed but readable information about each featured herb. |
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Michigan Gardener Magazine no longer publishes a print magazine. You can still visit the Michigan Gardener website for occasional new articles and the calendar, and browse through digital back issues of the print magazine and newsletters. |
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Find more information on LTPL Grows and other resources! |
Visit and "like" for gardening news, tips and upcoming events. |
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