As we get into summer, prepare a consistent watering plan, offer shady spots to wildlife and pick out your favorite blueberries.
by Helen Yoest

By late June, planting season is over for me, and anything I want to add to my garden can wait until fall. (Not to discourage you, though — planting warm-weather veggies or perennials is still possible, as long as you keep them watered.) Instead, I’m taste-testing, planning for next year, and trying to keep all the flora and fauna cool. Here’s what I’ll do this first official month of summer. 

Taste-Test Blueberries

Blueberry season begins in early to mid-June, so it’s the perfect time to try the many varieties of blueberries at local markets, farm stands or green-thumbed neighbors’ yards to see which ones you’d like to grow on your own. You can plant them now through the fall for harvesting next year. Our native blueberries require a low pH, around 4 to 5.5, and Raleigh’s clay-based soil is naturally acidic, so you may want to amend it with a soil acidifier such as sulphur. 

Check Your Watering System

Now — before it really heats up — is the time to start planning for regular watering. Check to make sure your hoses are hooked up and in good condition. Pull out sprinkler attachments if you have them and consider rain gauges to track how much precipitation you’ve got. If you don’t have one already, consider setting up a rain barrel to collect rainwater from your gutters to use for watering. It’s a fun weekend project!

Keep ‘Em Cool

While we’re talking water: consider adding a bird bath for your feathered visitors as the weather warms up. A spot in the open, away from shrubs and trees, is ideal so birds can have a clear view of possible predators (plus, it’ll help keep it debris-free). If you find you’re spending less time outside in higher temperatures, scope out a shady spot in your yard to clear so you can add a bench and get back out there. 

This article originally appeared in the June 2025 issue of WALTER magazine.