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June usually brings the sunshine and is the end of the spring showers, although each year varies and us gardeners just have to adapt! It’s the month with the longest day of the year, and perhaps the happiest days in the garden. Is there anything more special than being able to garden during a long day from dawn to dusk? Plants tend to press on with fast growth from June onwards filling borders, containers and vegetable patches with colour and crops. For me, the annuals such as Nigella and Calendula bloom, Cornflowers and Scabious bring pollinators to the patch and the herbs are vibrant, fragrant and full of butterflies. As things do heat up, there’s various things to remember such as opening greenhouse or poly tunnel doors, watering when needed, chopping up some nettles to make a natural plant feed and not forgetting to keep on top of cutting Sweet peas so they don’t go to seed yet. It’s a wonderful month for gardeners.
Hoeing at this time of year is ideal as it allows you to get in-between plants easily and will keep weeds from taking over. Larger perennial weeds may need pulling out but if you hoe regularly throughout summer, most weeds won’t have the chance to take over, especially annual weeds which can grow fast but can be easily removed.
If you have trees and shrubs that are still establishing, keep on top of watering especially if there are dry or windy days. Check to see if the soil is dry before watering and water at the base. To help retain moisture, apply a layer of well rotted organic matter which will help and make sure you keep on top of weeding so plants aren’t competing for water and nutrients.
Fruit trees will often drop some fruit during June, which allows for the remaining fruit to grow bigger. However, now is the time to prune plum and cherry trees and thin out crossing branches, anything dead, diseased or damaged. This will improve shape, airflow and improved fruits.
Evergreen hedging can be trimmed including Yew, Privet and Box. Before giving them a tidy make sure you will not be disturbing any nesting birds. If you see an active nest, hold off until the fledglings have left the nest and there is no sign of any more activity.
If you have repeat flowering Roses, deadhead them as the flowers finish to ensure the plant pushed energy into flowering again. If you would prefer to see colourful Rose hips, leave the seed heads on. If you are deadheading before the Rose turns completely brown or the petals drop off, don’t forget to use them at home. Rose toner is easy to make, or why not soak in bath of rose petals after a day in the garden.
Instant hedging and trees can be planted at any time of year. This is perfect for instant impact in the garden. If you do go for instant plants, they will need proper care to help them establish in place and to get through the warmer summer weather. Plants that create really good instant hedging at this time of year include Photinia, Beech and Hornbeam. Keep plants well watered and grey water or collected rainwater are good sustainable options.
If you have trees planted with ties around them to help support them as they grow, you may need to untie them if the tree is big enough. Leaving them on could damage the bark, causing problems for the tree.
Deciduous Magnolias should be pruned when in full leaf. This time of year is best because dieback can be a problem if undertaken over winter and even into spring. Cut off branches near the trunk leaving about 2.5cm on the branch.
Evergreen hedges can be trimmed such as privet, box and Weigela if they need a tidy up. Smaller clippings can be composted.
After no mow May, try not to get the mower out and obliterate your lawn yet! Now is the time insects are emerging and continuing to need food and shelter, so try to leave at least some of the lawn to grow long. Perhaps a patch at the back or side of your garden or even mow a path through the longer lawn where you can wander through and spot what wildflowers grow throughout the year. When mowing, lower the blades gradually rather than going short straightaway which may shock the lawn.
Look out for aphids, red lily beetle , carrot root fly, slugs, snails and vine weevils (for more info see May calendar month).
First thing I remind myself if I find munched brassica leaves is that without caterpillars there would be no butterflies and wouldn’t that be such a shame! So as with all ‘pests’ the best way to limit damage to plants is to create a biodiverse space meaning natural predators will do what they do best. Prevention is always better than eradication so if you are growing brassicas (cabbage/cauliflower/sprouts/kale etc) cover them over with butterfly netting. This allows insects to fly in and out but the holes are too small for butterflies to get through meaning they can’t lay eggs on your plants. If you do have any brassicas exposed, keep a check on the undersides of the leaves. The eggs look like small orange dots and can be squished if you wish to!
Powdery mildew
Many plants get powdery mildew at this time of year, especially if there is wet weather and overcrowded plants. Plants such as squash, cucumber, melon, calendula and many more are susceptible and I get this on something most years! If you keep a check regularly you will be able to simply cut off any affected foliage to stop the spread. You will notice white patches on foliage that looks powdery.
If you haven’t already, plant out summer bedding plants, hanging baskets and fill in gaps in the garden with colourful Sumer annuals. At this time of year you might even find a bargain in the shops for flowering bedding plants.
Sweet peas should be abundant during June and to keep them flowering for as long as possible, keep on cutting them for a vase. The fragrance fills the room and the colours are always so stunning. If you allow them to go to seed, the plants won’t continue to flower but if this does happen, let the pods dry out and collect the seeds to sow next year. If Sweet pea plants get big and messy, tie them in gently to the support and snip off the tendrils if you’d prefer.
While you have your string out, tie in Clematis, Honeysuckle, Roses and other climbing plants if needed so they don’t fall under the weight of thick summer growth and flowers.
June is usually a good time to split clumps of late winter flowering bulbs such as Snowdrops and Bluebells. As long as the foliage has died back, lift from the soil and re plant where you would like them to grow. This is easy and a great way to have more plants for free.
One of my favourite flowers in June is the oriental poppy. I have a variety from white to maroon and the bees absolutely love them! It’s pure joy to watch them buzz in the pollen seemingly dizzy on the nectar! Cut the stems and foliage right back to the ground to stimulate new foliage. Collect the poppy seeds for sowing next year by simply shaking them into a paper bag and keep the seed heads for decoration.
Lavender should be in abundance during June and into July. A magnet for pollinators and lovely as a low level hedge or edging to pathways and borders. Snip off some of the flower heads to use in baking, making and even coffee! I often make sleep pushes by drying the Lavender and placing into organic cotton bags which can be used under a pillow to help sleep.
When the weather heats up, greenhouse doors and windows need to be opened but you may even need some extra shade so plants don’t get too hot with direct sunlight. Blinds can be fitted to the outside of most greenhouses but also some DIY shade netting can be hung up inside to help on the sunnier days. Keep an eye on plants for yellowing leaves which may be a sign of too much sun, under or over watering and nutritional deficiencies.
Additional feed might be needed for some plants. Generally if you have given your plants an annual mulch, you may not need anything more. However, container plants and fruits such a s tomatoes and cucumbers will be thankful for a regular high potash feed every week to every other week ideally.
If you are growing your own vegetables, you will probably by now be taking home plenty from your garden or allotment. Don’t be put off by the size of your space if you do have a smaller garden as a lot can still be grown on a patio or balcony. If you’d like to give it a go for this year, the good news is many garden centres and nurseries will have some young plants available to simply plant into pots including herbs, salads, beans and tomatoes.
First early potatoes will be ready to harvest (10 weeks from planting). Bringing homegrown vegetable home is always satisfying. But there is something earthy about digging up a potato crop!
Onion and garlic foliage will start to yellow and drop meaning it is time to harvest them. If the weather has been particularly warm and wet, they can get white rot or rust. If this is the case, lift them as soon as possible. They may not store so well but will be just as tasty.
Happy June!
