Colour in the garden
We now have sun, at last and long daylight hours. The risk of frost is virtually gone and June is the month for putting colour in our gardens – replanting patio pots, hanging baskets and filling any gaps with bedding plants or tender perennials.
Fruit and vegetables
There’s plenty to do in the fruit and vegetable garden and these should be producing some early crops. However this is also the month for weeds, pests and diseases. So keep an eye out for them and deal with them as early as possible.
Scented flowers in June
In the garden there are flowers and delicious scent in abundance. Flowering deciduous shrubs take centre stage and philadelphus, deutzia and weigelias are certainly the stars of the show along with the first flush of roses. The herbaceous border should be full of colour and June sees delphiniums, poppies, foxgloves, aquilegias, iris and astilbes putting on a spectacular show.
Lawn treatment
Lawns need care at this time of year. Aeration by spiking with a fork or using a lawn spiker allows air, rain and fertiliser to penetrate the surface, increasing water holding capacity and therefore stimulating roots, giving a more drought-tolerant lawn. When you apply fertiliser you usually want it to start working immediately but last for weeks or months. By combining quick release with slow release you can have immediate results over an extended period without excessive mowing or growth surges. Read the instructions on the packets carefully to avoid causing damage to the lawn. There is a good range of both granular and liquid feeds in most garden centres, so have a good browse to see which suits you best.
Lawn mowing
Mowing is the key to a great lawn. With June temperatures and a little moisture, growth should be at its best, so regular mowing will produce a beautiful dense turf. Regular means at least once a week. If conditions become dry, then growth may be slow but do mow every 10 to 14 days or so to control coarse grasses and seed heads.
For the mowing season you need to do two things: Keep your mower clean and keep it sharp. Adjust your mowing height to suit the growing conditions. If the grass is lush or damp it can easily build up inside the mower, so it’s a good idea to give the mower a good brush, scrape or hose down after every use. And if you do a lot of mowing, then be prepared to sharpen or swap blades mid-year to maintain a clean cut. Normally mow to about 1” high to strike the balance between appearance and efficacy.
Jobs for june
Plant out summer bedding
Stake tall or floppy plants
Prune spring-flowering shrubs
Hoe borders regularly to keep down weeds
Be water-wise, especially in drought-affected areas
Pinch out sideshoots on tomatoes
Harvest lettuce, radish, other salads and early potatoes
Position summer hanging baskets and containers outside
Shade greenhouses to keep them cool and prevent scorch