AGP Executive Report

Pollinator Push: The RHS is urging gardeners to prioritize pollinator-friendly plants as warm weather can’t hide a longer-term downward trend in pollinator numbers. Kids in the Garden: Dobbies is rolling out free summer holiday clubs in Ayr, including water-cycle themed sessions and a fairy-garden craft finale. June Water Reality: A gardening guide for June stresses that rain can be unpredictable—water bans or not, aim for deep watering less often to keep plants steady. Tech Meets Growing: A “digital greenhouse” trend is turning home cultivation into a weekend project for coders and data lovers, with automation and monitoring ideas. Garden Safety at Home: Experts share practical ways to identify common indoor ants and deter them before they become a bigger problem. Wildlife Encounters: A viral backyard bear near-miss highlights how smart cameras and quick warnings can help when animals wander into neighborhoods. Composting Upgrade: Hot composting is making the case for faster, cleaner compost with fewer weeds and fewer disease risks. Small-Space Wins: A roundup of big-impact plants for compact gardens focuses on maximizing color and structure without needing more room.

Pesticide Accountability: A new legal fight is heating up as pesticide makers lobby for “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits tied to Roundup’s cancer risks, with the U.S. Supreme Court expected to rule in July 2026 on whether federal law blocks state claims. Sustainability in Action: University of Saskatchewan SENS students are earning recognition for community-focused sustainability capstones, turning classroom learning into real-world environmental projects. Community Gardening Growth: Victoria, B.C. is considering a rooftop allotment garden on a downtown parkade after demand hit a wait-list of 160 gardeners. Local Garden Events: Colorado Springs’ Garden Tour returns June 27–28, featuring its 100th featured garden since 2011. Practical Plant Care: Southwest Florida palm owners are being warned that cold damage can take months to fully show, so patience matters before pruning. Pollinator-Friendly Gardening: A Texas TikTok reassures gardeners that perfect “leaves of circles” can be leafcutter bees doing nest work—not plant damage. Weed & Wildlife Education: National Weed Your Garden Day is inspiring gardeners to pull invasives and protect ecosystems, while local festivals like a butterfly event continue despite rain.

Community Gardens & Urban Farms: Winnipeg is urged to protect community gardens and urban farms longer by using longer leases, a “no-loss” replacement rule, and development policies that preserve green space. Pollinator Push: Dorset marks Age Without Limits Day and local garden centres run free kids’ workshops, while pollinator-focused advice highlights how to support precious garden helpers. Planting & Watering How-Tos: June gardening coverage leans practical—what to plant now, how to water (and when), and how to keep container plants thriving in heat. Outdoor Learning & Nature Hubs: Cumbria’s Gosling Sike nature hub expands its seed-bank work with Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank partnership, and schools/communities keep using gardens as hands-on classrooms. Garden Culture & Events: Wellow Village’s 76th flower and horticultural show returns, and Keswick hosts a free tree walk. Home Garden Tech: Solar “moon lights” and other low-cost outdoor upgrades are trending for easy evening ambience.

Pesticide Accountability: Pesticide makers are pushing “liability shield” laws to block lawsuits tied to cancer-linked chemicals like glyphosate, as the U.S. Supreme Court weighs whether federal law can shut down state “failure to warn” claims. Public Health Watch: Colorado health officials confirmed tularemia (“rabbit fever”) in a dead rabbit in Larimer County, urging extra caution outdoors. Garden Design & Culture: RHS Chelsea Flower Show designer Sarah Eberle, known for bold immersive show gardens, received an MBE. Community & Natives: Bend’s High Desert Horticultural Center announced its second annual native plant garden tour on June 20, highlighting water-wise, fire-wise landscapes. Practical June Gardening: Experts say it’s still a good time to plant warm-season crops like green beans, and tomato care in June should focus on support, side-shoot removal, and feeding as flowers appear. Local Life: A North Carolina neighborhood trend is ditching traditional lawns for lower-maintenance, more diverse yards.

Community Gardening & Food: Nevada County’s 2nd Annual Nursery Crawl (June 19–20) turns local nurseries into a weekend self-guided “go see for yourself” tour, with stamped cards and a prize. Rehabilitation Through Horticulture: Bulawayo’s Noah’s Ark Community Correctional Centre pairs morning devotions with gardening and vocational work as part of restoration-focused community corrections. Pollinators & Learning: Grow Hexham and Hexham Library launch “Stories from Our Patch,” blending hands-on growing with food-and-horticulture storytelling across Europe, plus summer events like International Carrot Day. Practical Garden How-To: Tree transplanting tips stress timing for less transplant shock and avoiding top pruning right after moving. Plant Picks: Nepeta (catmint) is being pitched as a lower-maintenance swap for lavender in cottage gardens. Pest & Health Watch: Ottawa-Gatineau faces a mosquito surge alongside West Nile virus concerns, with officials urging caution. Gardening for Wildlife: Alan Titchmarsh highlights berry plants like beautyberry to draw birds. Community Events: Libraries and fairs keep the momentum going, from summer reading with goats to 4-H fairs featuring gardening and food preservation.

Community Gardens & Food Access: Project Self-Sufficiency is calling for volunteers to plant, maintain, and harvest at its Newton campus gardens, with fresh produce delivered to low-income families. School Gardening: D.M. Smith Elementary in Cleveland, Mississippi, opened a new garden education center, pairing hands-on growing with a pop-up farmers market for students. Learning for Home Gardeners: Lake Michigan College is offering a summer series of gardening classes in South Haven (June 25, July 16, Aug. 6) focused on pests, diseases, weeds, and nutrients. Local Markets: Mendota’s Kalmmd Petals & Presents opened downtown, adding flowers plus patio and gift finds for last-minute shoppers. Outdoor Recreation & Wildfire Safety: Eastern Washington’s WDFW wildfire restrictions begin Monday, tightening campfire, target-shooting, and welding rules. Gardening as Community Culture: A La Milpa seed-planting gathering at Summit Community Gardens + EATS brought people together around corn, beans, and squash traditions. Plant Sales & Events: Eureka Sequoia Garden Club hosts its annual plant sale June 20, and DEC Region 3 runs “Get Outdoors & Get Together Day” June 13 across Catskills locations.

Community Gardening & Youth: The Red Shield Community Garden and Urban Farm in New York is launching its first youth camp, with kids learning where food comes from and how to grow it—cell phones notably absent. Native Plants & Pollinators: Missouri’s Jefferson Farm and Garden hosts a free Butterfly Festival (June 20) with native species, garden tours, kids’ crafts, and a plant sale; meanwhile, the Lehigh Valley’s Spring Native Plant Swap drew 300 plants and 100 species for native-focused trading. Garden Markets & Local Growers: Lake Forest Park’s Garden Market (June 20) spotlights locally grown, uncommon native and heirloom plants from regional nurseries, with a free public event and plant lists online. Hydrangea Care: A hydrangea specialist shares three summer strategies to keep blooms lush and color-rich, starting with smarter watering. Practical Garden Help: Experts say to tackle patio moss with pressure washing and scrubbing instead of harsh chemicals. Health & Outdoors: Tick season is surging in Superiorland, with guidance to avoid high-risk brushy areas and protect clothing and skin before gardening. Fundraiser: Bergeron Garden Centre’s “Blooms for Cancer” (June 20) will donate a portion of sales to the Canadian Cancer Society and a local food bank. Watering Timing: Garden experts recommend watering early morning (about 6–10 a.m.) so plants absorb moisture before heat hits.

Garden Center Spotlight: HGTV has named Montana’s The Garden Barn near Bozeman a must-visit garden center, praising its “flora and fauna” mix of plants plus animals like peacocks, koi, and resident cats. Community Garden Events: The Southern Butler County Garden Club’s 18th annual Garden Tour runs June 27 with seven local gardens open for questions and design tips. Soil & Native Planting: Johnson County’s Pocket Prairie Program is expanding, offering homeowners a chance to convert turf to 10’x10’ pollinator gardens with training and native plants, plus a three-year maintenance commitment. Garden Learning & Sharing: St. Charles Parish Library launched a Seed Library at its West Regional Library, letting patrons take seasonal seeds matched to local growing conditions. Food & Garden Charity: Bruce Botanical Food Gardens got a spotlight update from the Ripley and District Horticultural Society, highlighting its mission around food insecurity, sustainable gardening education, and heirloom preservation. Garden Festivals: Evansville’s Southwestern Indiana Master Gardeners host the free “Art in the Garden & More” event June 14 with local art, live music, and gardening Q&A. Planting Guidance: Kansas State University advises delaying winter squash and pumpkins until mid-to-late June to help plants dodge early squash bug damage. Wildlife-Friendly Gardening: A Reddit buzz around a striking lupine variety sparked lots of talk about pollinators, soil needs, and pest management. Gardening for Accessibility: A guide shares practical ways to make gardening easier for seniors and people with disabilities, including raised beds, wider paths, and simpler weed control.

Iconic Gardens & Tourism: Longwood Gardens keeps drawing crowds year-round with its 1,100-acre mix of indoor displays, outdoor landscapes, fountains, concerts and workshops—built from Pierre S. du Pont’s early push to save the estate’s trees. Community Fundraising: The Martha Washington Garden Club’s “Alice in Wonderland Tea Party” scholarship gala turned tables into storybook scenes, showing how local garden groups keep investing in students. Labor & Local Services: Great Yarmouth waste workers, street cleaners, tree surgeons and gardeners are voting on strike action over a pay offer they say won’t match the minimum wage—raising fears of “summer stink” and service disruption. Wildlife-Smart Gardening: David Attenborough urges gardeners to skip one common summer job to protect backyard wildlife, highlighting gardens as mini habitats for pollinators, hedgehogs and birds. Urban Gardening Shift: Queensland Garden Show spotlights how younger Australians are making do with balconies, courtyards and indoor or edible micro-gardens as lots get smaller. Plant Safety: A New York guide warns how to spot and respond to poisonous plants like poison ivy/oak/sumac, including cleaning tools and clothing after contact. Garden Business Expansion: Donaroma’s Nursery seeks retail and even future employee housing at an Oak Bluffs site, adding greenhouses, sheds and parking to its wholesale operation. Local Learning & Events: Transylvania County Master Gardeners host free garden tours at Allison-Deaver House and the Pisgah Ranger Station, and a “Growing Vegetables” program shares basic veggie families for community plots. Mulch Basics: Nebraska Extension Master Gardeners remind readers to mulch 2–4 inches deep, keep it off the trunk, and avoid “volcano” piling that can invite pests. Gardening for Wellbeing: A “grounding/earthing” class at a wellness community links outdoor contact with wellness trends—while noting experts question how strong the health claims are.

Community Gardening & Youth Programs: Alton’s City Council is set to consider up to $5,000 in ARPA funds for a youth gardening program, including the Elm Street Youth Garden, with support for trips and tools. Local Learning in the Garden: Morgan Park Academy students are digging into sustainability through hands-on garden beds and native plant work tied to classroom lessons and pollinator-friendly goals. Public Beautification: Rumford’s Beautify Rumford volunteers filled dozens of planters for downtown flower displays, keeping the town’s “in full bloom” tradition going. Gardening Help for Real Problems: Cape Cod gardeners can use a free Horticulture Clinic for plant, insect, and disease ID plus soil pH testing, with photo uploads encouraged. Health & Safety in the Yard: Northern Colorado health officials reported tularemia linked to a dead rabbit in Berthoud, urging gardeners to protect hands, use repellents, and wear masks when mowing or digging. Garden Culture Events: Brooklet, Georgia is launching an inaugural Tomato Festival with music, vendors, and a homegrown tomato contest.

Community & Culture: A pet-friendly cafe, Brody’s Coffee, opened in Westhampton Beach with a gardening-themed decor nod, while a pollinator-garden STEM project at Youngstown State University’s College of STEM partnered with South Side Academy to get K-8 students growing. Garden Care & Safety: UK homeowners face potential £1,000 fines for noisy DIY/gardening during night hours, and wildlife groups urge simple June help like leaving fresh water for birds and pollinators. What to Do This Month: Experts say June’s “deadheading” can extend blooms, and gardeners can fill the “June gap” with fast-growing annuals; rose lovers also get a low-cost tip using teabags for nutrients. Food & Plants in the Real World: Front yards across the US are shifting from lawns to vegetables as grocery costs rise, and RSPB-linked guidance warns against certain nesting-season bird foods that can spread trichomonosis. Local Events: Open gardens days and garden walks are on the calendar, including Whorlton Village Open Gardens and Wells County’s Master Gardener Garden Walk on June 27.

Historic Garden Honors: Vermont’s von Trapp Family Lodge & Resort in Stowe landed on Historic Hotels of America’s Top 25 Most Magnificent Gardens list, with Maria von Trapp’s alpine-inspired design still shaping winding paths, terraces, cutting gardens, and pollinator plantings. Community Garden Momentum: In Bradford West Gwillimbury, the BWG Community Garden Tour runs June 25–July 12, inviting residents to show off front gardens visible from the street and vote for favorites. Lawn & Water Planning: WSU Master Gardeners are hosting a June 9 talk on lawn replacement options at Neill Public Library, covering removal methods and greener alternatives. Rainwater Prep: After a wet spell, an expert urges gardeners to start collecting rainwater now to be ready for the next hot stretch. Tick Safety Alert: Connecticut tick testing shows Lyme-infected ticks already spiking early, with infection rates rising to 38.5% by May 19—so plan for protection outdoors.

Garden Events & Community Reuse: Prague 6 is bringing back its “Reuse Sunday” swap and repair day, with gardening supplies among accepted items, while Cornwall’s Potager Garden has finally reopened as a café and social enterprise after nearly two decades of abandonment. Garden Openings & Shows: Sissinghurst’s Greek-inspired “Delos” garden is now fully open after a long renewal, and the National Garden Scheme is spotlighting multiple Steyning gardens opening in June. Drought-Wise Landscaping: Colorado State University urges homeowners to “embrace the beige” by adjusting watering and rethinking what “beautiful” looks like during extreme drought. Practical Plant Care: June guidance includes what to do with raspberry plants now, plus tips for keeping hydrangeas’ color on track by shifting soil pH. Weed Control (Natural): A popular patio hack recommends horticultural vinegar to kill weeds fast—effective, but it will also damage plants it touches. Wildlife & Pollinators: A workshop on invasive plant management is scheduled in Maine, and gardeners are reminded to support pollinators with the right plant choices. Gardening Lifestyle: A dog named Chewy is celebrated for “saving” family members at the beach, tying gardening and outdoor life to community stories.

Pollinator Science: A new look at why flowers smell so good (and sometimes so bad) explains how scent helps insects find the right blooms, with day- and night-blooming strategies tied to bees vs moths. Master Gardener Training: Extension Master Gardener volunteer classes kick off June 16 in Calcasieu Parish, with 40 hours of training and 40 hours of service. Waterwise + Firewise: With drought still lingering in Northern Arizona, gardeners are urged to shift toward drip irrigation and water harvesting, not just hope for monsoon rain. Garden Culture & Community: Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden marks 25 years as a native-plant oasis in Polliwog Park, celebrating biodiversity and volunteers. Pest Watch: Gardeners are warned about ticks—reduce hiding spots and limit spread with mulch/gravel while staying vigilant outdoors. Practical Growing: Monty Don says to cut bolting stems low on spinach, chard, and beetroot to keep harvests productive. Food-Garden Reality Checks: One gardener’s daily harvest posts sparked neighbor comparisons, changing the vibe from fun to pressure. Local Events: A June 14 bittersweet garden tour highlights low-water design and private blooms.

Garden Deals & DIY: Home Depot’s plant markdowns tend to hit during peak growing season, so shoppers can time buys for perennials and other garden staples. Upcycling & Style: A wine rack gets a second life as a tabletop planter, while retro thrift finds (like Rubbermaid ice buckets) keep mid-century charm in the spotlight. Outdoor Storage: Walmart’s $300 walk-in shed is drawing attention for fitting lawn tools, benches, and more. Pest Control (No Panic): Carpenter bees are framed as mostly docile pollinators—still, readers get practical ways to deter them and stop the telltale holes. Plant Care Basics: Alan Titchmarsh urges gardeners to prune specific plants now (including plum trees) rather than waiting for winter. Weed & Ant Tactics: Natural deterrents for ants and “no herbicide” approaches for dandelions focus on prevention, mulch, and plant health. Safety Alerts: California warns some Costco grapevines shouldn’t be planted after an invasive pest was detected. Community & Pollinators: A butterfly garden marks 20 years at Yazoo NWR, and local community-garden events keep volunteering and seed-sharing front and center.

Storm Aftercare: Perth and Western Australia gardeners are being urged to slow down after wild weather, check for hazards like hanging branches, then start with safe clean-up and sorting debris for compost or chipping. Waterlogged Soil: In Greater Columbus, heavy rain has left yards soaked; experts warn against walking on wet ground to avoid compaction and root-rot problems. Heat + Drought Smart Gardening: Aurora’s water-wise program is pushing lush, colorful landscaping with low-water plant choices despite restrictions. June Fruit Fixes: A Louisiana gardener says picking tomatoes before rain can prevent splitting, and fig growers are reminded that fruit needs the right heat, light, water balance, and pruning. Compost Boosts: If a compost bin stalls, adding worms may speed breakdown, while hot composting can help reduce weed-seed survival. Community & Pollinators: Ross Park Zoo’s Butterfly Education Day gives out milkweed for monarchs, and a new Growing Communities event is set to spotlight local garden groups. Small-Space Gear: IKEA’s portable outdoor coffee table and compact cabinet-style storage are getting attention for patios and balconies.