Automatically, people equate June with Summer; the weather becomes warmer and the adjournment of school is soon. June is known for having the most wedding ceremonies, and how ironic that the month of June’s flower is the ROSE. The birthstone(s) for June are the Alexandrite, typically a reddish or greenish colored stone, the Pearl, and the Moonstone; the stones are known for Balance, Confidence and Joy.

MANY THINGS HAPPEN DURING JUNE AND A FEW ARE AS FOLLOWS:

June 8 -The 2019 Belmont Stakes will be the 151st running of the Belmont Stakes and the 108th time the event takes place at Belmont Park. It’s the final horse race in the “Triple Crown,” held after the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness. There will be no Triple Crown winner, as Kentucky Derby winner Country House did not run in the Preakness Stakes.

June 9-15 - National Flag Week. President Woodrow Wilson established June 14, 100 years ago, as a day to fly our flag with pride.

June 21-23 - Midnight Sun Festival at Nome, Alaska. On this summer solstice day, there are 22 hours of direct sunlight and a big parade.

June 16 - Father’s Day. The celebration was first proclaimed in Washington State in 1910. President Calvin Coolidge supported the idea in 1924, but it wasn’t officially approved by Congress until 1972.

June 21 - Midnight Sun Baseball Game at Fairbanks, Alaska. Because the sun is out for almost 24 hours a day, the game starts at about 10:30 at night and completes around 1:30 the next morning.

June 21 - Take Your Dog to Work Day is observed on June 21. It is always held on the Friday following Father’s Day.

June 28 - Great American Backyard Campout. The National Wildlife Federation encourages people of all ages to get outside and camp.

Gardening Ideas for June: Work outside when it’s less humid (early morning, late afternoon/evening) • Keep new plants well-watered. • Check your mulch and reapply on bare spots before the weeds move in. • Check plant leaves for signs of nutrient deficiency. • Give the compost a turn. • Give your houseplants a summer vacation, by moving them outdoors. • Make sure the birds have fresh water in birdbaths or shallow dishes in the garden.

June is also a great time to finish planting gardens, containers and hanging baskets and to order your 2019 Blum’s Farmer’s and Planter’s Almanac by using any of the following:

Online: By visiting our Country Store
Phone: 1-800-776-2586
By Mail: Blum’s Almanac, 3301 Healy Drive,
              Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27103

YOU CAN USE THOSE WAYS TO ORDER ANY OF THE FOLLOWING:

• A single copy for you or as a gift to a friend
• A three-year subscription
• A copy of our Almanac Gardening Calendar
• A copy of our Almanac Weather Calendar
• A FREE Blum’s Country Store Catalog
• Plus much more from our Country Store

We’ll look forward to hearing from you soon!