Garden tips for June

Here comes the sun!

Summer is fast-approaching and with it long sunny evenings and warm temperatures which means we can spend more time in the garden to either relax and enjoy or plant out all those seedlings we’ve been nurturing the past few months.

This year, the longest day will fall on June 20 and then summer is officially here. Much like May, June is a month where we reap what we sow. All those gorgeous flowers we’ve been cultivating and crops we’ve been planting will be in their element.

It is also a month where we need to remain vigilant. Pests, weeds and disease also love the sun and whilst the start of the month has been mixed with rain and sunshine – the warmer weather is definitely here.

Beautiful blooms:

• Plant out any patio shrubs and plants that have been in the greenhouse waiting for the weather to improve. To give them a good start, apply a liquid feed such as Vitax Organic All Purpose Plant Food.
• Pick sweet peas as soon as they blossom to encourage re-growth.
• As new shoots start to grow on climbing plants such as clematis and honeysuckle softly tie to encourage climbing.
• Pinch out tips of fuchsias to encourage new growth.
• If you are late to planting this year, there is still time to direct sow calendula and nasturtiums for late summer colour.
• Encourage younger members of the family and community to start gardening by planting sunflower seeds. Simple and easy, they grow quickly so they can see the result of their hard work.
• Plant jasmine, peonies and lilies for a garden full of fragrance.
• There is little risk of ground frost in June, so now is the time to plant out less hardy bedding plants such as French marigolds and dahlias.
• If hardy annuals are starting to become overcrowded, continue to thin out.
• Now is the time to concentrate on watering and feeding. Check plants regularly and water early in the morning or late at night to get the most of the moisture. If possible use rainwater, especially for plants such as rhododendrons. 
• Once flowers have blossomed and foliage is dying, cut back.
• Continue to dead head roses if repeat flowering and feed with Organic Liquid Rose Feed to encourage healthy growth and bigger blooms.
• Don’t forget your houseplants!! It is so easy to concentrate on the garden, but houseplants need TLC and moved out of direct sunlight. Depending on what indoor plants you have, use a specialist feed such as Orchid Soluble Feed, Bonsai Feed or Cacti Feed. For general feeding use a good liquid fertiliser such as Liquid Q4 All Purpose Plant Food.

Crops galore:

• Pinch out the side shoots from your tomatoes and ensure they have all the nutrients they need to produce bumper crops by using a good quality feed such as Vitax Organic Tomato Food.
• Harvest salad crops and re-plant every 2-4 weeks for constant supply. Scatter Vitax Q4 regularly, hoe over lightly then water to maintain the nutrients within the soil.
• Once the leaves on onions and garlic start to yellow and droop, harvest!
• If you love salad, plant fast-growing herbs, radishes, spring onions and lettuces.
• Whether you prefer runner, dwarf or broad beans, these can now be sown direct in the ground.
• Plant out purple sprouting broccoli, brussel sprouts, cauliflowers, leeks etc.
• Cabbages are fabulous, but once planted out use a cabbage collar to prevent root fly.
• If you want homegrown pumpkins for Halloween, then June is the last time to sow. 
• You can harvest early crops such as peas, strawberries etc.
• Plant fruiting shrubs in containers and remember to give them a high potash feed such as Vitax Q4 or Vitax Flower & Fruit Soluble Feed to keep them healthy and producing juicy fruits. 
• Protect plants against squirrels and birds by placing netting over fruit trees.

Other jobs & pests:

• As the weather gets warm, think of raising the blade on the lawn mower to reduce stress.
• Where possible, use water from the water butts to water patio pots and containers and when the rain comes, leave watering cans out to collect extra water.
• If it rains, keep an eye out for those slimy gastropods – slugs.  Apply Slug Gone to protect plants and crops and move pots and containers away from walls as they are known for their gymnastic skills and somersaulting short gaps!
• Look out for aphids, especially on the underside of leaves. Apply a protection spray like Organic Plant Guard, or simply pick off if there are not too many.
• Vine weevils also come into their own in the warmer months.  If characteristic notch shaped damage is evident on the leaves of ornamentals, check for c-shaped small grubs that look like maggots amongst the roots especially in pots, planters and other containers.
• Keep turning that compost heap! 

There may be some days where it is just too hot to garden in the day, so relax and take in the loveliness of what you have created. Early morning and evening garden is perfect for picking up those tools and a great way to relax the mind.

Happy gardening!