🌱 The Garden Wise Journal — June 2026

“Gardening is more than a hobby; it is a lifestyle.”

Welcome to The Garden Wise Journal

You may be receiving this for the first time, or maybe it made a dramatic second appearance. Either way, we discovered the link needed a little tune-up, so it has now been sent to link rehab.

June is one of those months when Colorado gardens ask us to pay attention. The soil warms up, plants start growing fast, containers need a closer eye, and a few simple choices now can shape the rest of the season.

This month’s newsletter is all about gardening smarter, not harder. From raised beds that help you take control of tough soil, to native penstemons that bring color and pollinators with less water, to watering habits that build stronger roots, the message is simple.

Work with Colorado’s conditions, not against them.

As always, enjoy the garden while you’re caring for it. Sit outside. Watch the bees. Notice what’s blooming. And when a question comes up, bring it to Keith on The Garden Wise Guy Radio Show.

Feature Article of the Month

Raised Bed Gardening for Beginners

Raised bed gardening is one of the simplest ways to stop fighting poor Colorado soil and start growing with more confidence. Instead of battling hard ground, weak drainage, weeds, and struggling plants, raised beds let you take control of the soil, water, nutrients, and overall growing conditions.

For beginners, the real win is keeping things simple. A well-planned raised bed can make gardening cleaner, easier, and much more productive without turning your backyard into a complicated construction project. The right size, the right soil, and smarter watering can make the difference between frustration and a garden that actually feeds you.

If your past gardens have left you disappointed, this may be the shift you’ve been looking for.

DISCOVER THIS MONTH’S FEATURED ARTICLE

Plant Profile

Native Penstemons: The Low-Water Perennials Hummingbirds Can’t Resist

Some plants just make you stop and look, and native penstemons are high on that list. These rugged, colorful perennials bring serious beauty to Colorado gardens while asking for very little in return.

They thrive in dry, tough conditions, attract hummingbirds and native bees, and fit beautifully into water-wise landscapes, rock gardens, and pollinator beds. If you want a garden that feels alive, colorful, and built for Colorado, penstemons deserve a closer look.

DISCOVER THIS MONTH’S FEATURED PLANT

Monthly Tips

Water Deeply — Not Daily

June is when Colorado gardens really start moving, but it is also when heat, wind, hail, and fast-drying soil can catch gardeners off guard.

This month, keep your eye on the basics that make the biggest difference:

• Water deeply instead of giving plants a quick daily sprinkle
• Use mulch now before summer heat really settles in
• Watch patio pots closely, especially during hot, windy stretches
• Keep planting warm-season vegetables while the soil is ready
• Deadhead perennials to keep the color coming

A few smart moves in June can help your garden stay stronger, healthier, and better prepared for the heat ahead.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE FULL ARTICLE

LISTEN TO THE RADIO SHOW

Garden Myth Busting

Watering Every Day Is Good for Your Plants

The myth sounds helpful: water your plants every day once June heat arrives. But in Colorado gardens, that habit can quietly create weaker roots, more stress, and plants that depend on constant attention.

The smarter answer is not always more water. It is learning when your plants truly need it, when afternoon wilting is just a heat response, and why deep watering can make your garden stronger through summer.

READ THE FULL MYTH BREAKDOWN

The Garden Wise Guy Radio Show

The garden doesn’t stop when the newsletter ends. Join Keith on the Garden Wise Guy radio show for timely seasonal advice, real garden stories, and thoughtful answers to the questions gardeners are actually asking right now.

Every Saturday from 7 to 9 am MST on Legends 810 AM.

Follow along on social media for steady inspiration between episodes, and if something is happening in your own yard, bring it to the show. Your question might shape the next conversation.

Have a question about your own garden?

Ask Keith a question for the next radio show

Listen to the radio show