June Gardening Tips

One way or another, June normally involves water! We’re either juggling crazy showers and dry spells in the garden, or it’s really warm and we’re never finished watering! Whichever June we get, remember to enjoy the garden, there’s lots to do, and all that water will help our lawns, plants and veggies grow. Plus don’t forget to treat dad this month – Father’s Day is 16th June!

Top Gardening Tips for June

• Continue to monitor evergreens, trees, shrubs and perennials planted during last winter and this spring. Water as necessary to continue proper establishment. Mulch the surface to reduce evaporation and control weeds.
• Prune and dead-head spring flowering shrubs, bulbs and trim ground cover that has finished flowering.
• Continue mowing lawns, but not too short. Water on a regular basis newly turfed or reseeded areas to maintain establishment.
• Hoe borders to keep on top of weeds, as well as keeping an eye on garden paving and walkways.
• Plant up bedding materials, hanging baskets and containers. Ensure that the plant material is hardened off and protected during the first few weeks. Add water retaining gel and slow release fertiliser to the potting compost which will assist or reduce the need for watering during the season.
• Remove spent flowers from Euphorbias by cutting the flowered stem back to ground level.
• Plant up pots and grow bags with tomatoes, aubergines, outdoor cucumbers and sweet peppers, keep them in a sheltered location and remember to pinch out side shoots in tomatoes.
• Prune plums, cherries and fan-trained fruit. Tie in new branches to continue framework, pruning side shoots to encourage fruit bud formation. Expect fruit trees in June to naturally drop some of their fruit. If still overloaded, reduce by thinning excess fruits.
• Continue to sow quick growing salad items like mixed leaves, beetroot, radish and carrots. Plant every couple of weeks to ensure a regular supply over the summer months.
• Sow rows of spring cabbage.
• Plant out French and runner beans, courgettes, marrow, sweet corn and pumpkins.
• Continue to tackle pests and disease early. Protect young seedlings against slugs and snails with grit barriers, copper tape or pellets. Wipe aphids off rose leaves to stop infestations developing, and spray roses with fungicide against blackspot