Garden Blog for June

Rain, rain go away!

I like a good downpour as much as anyone, but the heavy rain is starting to take its toll. Flattened flowers and water-logged pots and baskets, but nothing that a good dose of sunshine should hopefully put right!
The good news is that with all this rain all eight water butts scattered around the garden are now full and ready for the much awaited warm weather!

June is such a busy month in the garden. If you’ve had birds nesting in the hedges and they have already flown, now is a good time to cut those hedges and prune the box bushes. This year we had the pleasure of seeing both Great Tits and Blackbirds in our bird houses and they are still flying around the garden in search of food, which is lovely to see.

However there is still plenty to do, rain or shine.

Border, beds & rambling roses

If you haven’t already, now is a good time to clear out the remains of spring bulb leaves and forget-me-knots before they drop too many seeds for next year.

Keep dead-heading flowers from herbaceous plants and roses to encourage new ones and remove any weeds. I’m glad I put in plant supports as the heavy rain knocks them about if not supported. Roses are hungry plants so to keep them blooming, I like to use a good liquid feed such as Vitax Organic Rose Food.

As soon as flowering is over this year, I will be pruning the rambling roses although I am loathe to do this as they have lovely orange hips. It is currently 20ft up an oak tree, so loppers and a good pair of gardening gloves will be needed.

Pots & baskets

Water daily on warmer days and never let them dry out. Continue to dead head and use a liquid feed weekly such as Vitax Tub & Hanging Basket Feed, but if the compost is too dry dampen first as this will help the feed slowly trickle down.

Soft fruit

Blueberries, currants, raspberries, gooseberries and strawberries should all be getting plumper. Now is a good time to invest in a net and cover the berries before the blackbirds beat you to it.

Veg patch

Depending on how well you’ve prepared your ground and what you have chosen to plant, will determine how healthy your veg patch is looking at the moment. If you are planting out, turn some 6X poultry manure over in the ground before putting the new plants in as it is a great natural plant feed which slowly releases nutrients to give them a boost.

We are also seeing plenty of flowers on the broad beans and the climbing French beans are starting to find their way up the canes.

If you’ve planted salad leaves, you will see these grow quite quickly now, but watch out for slugs. Vitax Slug Gone will help keep them at bay as well as condition the soil, I’ve added extra Slug Gone due to the wet weather

Out ‘n’ about

Being outside is a real tonic, and with a network of canals and waterways close by we have seen a huge amount of wild geraniums, buttercups and primroses.

If you are visiting or passing through Staffordshire, Trentham Gardens is well work a visit, particularly the Italian Gardens. Coming into full bloom, you can see a mass of vibrant colours mixed with the eye-opening sculptures.  And if you grow weary, there are quite a few cafes to choose from as well as a maze and playground for children.

Whatever you do this June, enjoy your garden!

Marg & Rudy

About Marg:
Marg is a traditional gardener with over 40 years’ experience. Gardening with her faithful springer Rudy, Marg is a guest blogger who is happy to share the triumphs and tribulations of her village garden.