As we enter summer, our gardening horizons only get broader – and there are plenty of jobs to do in the garden in June.
The list of things you can plant in June is long, but that’s not the only way to keep yourself busy outdoors this month. Our plants need a lot more TLC in the way of watering and support at this time of year, and with the right care, they’ll flourish into flowers, fruit or veg.
These are the jobs to do in the garden in June for a healthy, productive garden.
What you’ll need
Hozelock
Hozelock Universal Irrigation Kit
This irrigation kit is ideal for watering borders, flowerbeds and vegetable gardens.
RocketGro
RocketGro Peat-Free Magic Mulch
Suppresses weeds, feeds the soil and conserves soil moisture.
Seaweed fertiliser promotes even better flowering and fruiting.
1. Sow and plant
There are plenty of vegetables you can sow in summer, especially if you want to fill in the gaps in beds and borders and see harvests in no time.
‘June is a great month to sow some fast-growing crops to keep the harvest coming,’ says grow-your-own expert and GARDENA Top of the Plots judge, Huw Richards.
‘Depending on what you’d like to include in your salads, this includes lettuce, radish, spring onions, beetroot, and bean varieties. Kale, purple sprouting broccoli, and cabbage can also be sown in June for overwintering.’
It’s also the time to plant out the crops you sowed earlier in the year.
‘Most of your tender crops will be ready to be planted in the ground,’ Huw says. ‘This may include tomatoes, courgettes, squash, sweetcorn, runner beans, and cucumbers. Just make sure to harden them off properly first if they were raised under cover.’
2. Feed your plants
Many fruiting plants will benefit from a healthy dose of fertiliser this month. In fact, feeding is one of the most important June garden jobs if you want to see your crops boom. You could even make your own tomato fertiliser for a bumper crop.
‘A lot of your plants will grow considerably in June,’ says Huw. ‘Use a homemade comfrey tea or diluted liquid seaweed to keep heavy feeders like tomatoes, squash, and brassicas fed.’
envii SeaFeed Xtra is a bestseller on Amazon, providing plants with the nutrients they need to thrive.
3. Water deeply
Watering is crucial during the hotter months of the year, which is why there’s such a focus on watering correctly in June.
‘One of the biggest mistakes people make at this time of year is giving their plants a quick water every day,’ says Paul Parker, from perennials and annuals specialists J. Parker’s. ‘Actually, it is much better to water deeply every few days. Doing this encourages plants to develop stronger root systems and improves their tolerance to drought.’
It’s also worth working out whether you should water plants in the morning or at night – and for Paul, it’s more about avoiding a specific time in the day.
‘Avoid watering when the sun is at its strongest,’ he warns. ‘This helps reduce evaporation and gives plants the time they need to absorb moisture.’
You could even set up an irrigation system like this Hozelock Universal Irrigation Kit from Amazon, which will keep your plants hydrated with minimal effort from you after setup.
4. Mulch
If you’re keen to save as much water as possible, mulching is one of the best June garden jobs to get on board with. You can buy ready-made mulch, like this RocketGro Peat-Free Organic Magic Mulch from Crocus, or make your own.
‘In order to conserve water and suppress weeds, add organic mulch to your vegetables,’ agrees Huw. ‘This could be grass clippings, leaf mould, or compost. For those lucky enough to get spells of hotter weather, mulch is essential to retain soil moisture and regulate temperature.’
That weed suppression is actually crucial this month – the warmer weather speeds up growth considerably. Although some weeds should be left in the garden for the benefit of wildlife, you’ll need to keep an eye on those in vegetable beds in case they outcompete your crops for nutrients and water.
5. Look out for pests
One of the first lessons I learned when I first started a raised vegetable bed was that garden plant pests can very suddenly become a problem in the summer. That’s why one of the most crucial June garden jobs is pest-watch.
‘Watch your brassicas for any cabbage white butterfly eggs in June,’ says Huw. ‘If you come across any, they can be wiped straight off the leaves. Cook up a homemade garlic or nettle tea to combat aphids, or squash any you might see.’
‘Remember that gardens are an ecosystem, so a few critters here and there will attract predators like ladybirds and lacewings that we need. With this in mind, never use chemical pesticides.’
6. Look after your lawn
There are several June lawn care tasks that will keep your grass looking lush and green, even during high temperatures.
‘During early summer, lawns tend to grow vigorously, but heatwaves and dry spells can stress grass if it is cut too short,’ says Paul.
‘I recommend raising mower blades slightly during hot weather, as this will help lawns retain moisture and prevent scorching.’
If you’re in need of a new lawn mower, opt for one with adjustable cutting heights like the cordless Husqvarna Aspire LC34 P4A.
7. Support plants
So many flowers burst into bloom this month which is why one of the best things to do with peonies in June, and other tall-growing flowers like delphiniums and dahlias, is support them.
‘Staking these plants now will help keep stems neat and protect them from sudden summer storms,’ says Paul.
‘Climbing plants like clematis and climbing roses should also be tied in around this time of year. I recommend using soft garden twine to gently tie new growth to fences, arches, or trellises, guiding plants in your desired direction. Always secure stems loosely to allow room for continued growth.’
You can buy a pack of plant supports for just £11.79 from Amazon.
Keep this list of June garden jobs handy and you’ll grow your most productive garden ever!
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