June

The Edible Garden

Continue sowing salad crops such as lettuce, radish, beetroot, for a succession later in the season. Continue to earth up potatoes. Early potatoes whose tops have flowered and started to die down may be dug and harvested. Place straw around strawberries not growing in polythene to protect fruit from dirt and possible rots setting in.
Keep removing lateral shoots from tomatoes and feed weekly with a liquid tomato food. French, runner and broad beans can be planted directly into the garden this month.
Remove the flower spikes of Rhubarb by cutting off at ground level. Annual herbs such as basil, coriander, can be planted this month so that you will have steady supply through until early autumn.
Regularly harvest crops such as courgettes and cucumbers as they ripen so that the vine keeps on producing and the fruit doesn’t get too big.
 

The Flower Garden

Plant out summer flowering bedding this month. Plant up pots and hanging baskets, if you’ve not already done so. Plant up tuberous begonias. Plant impatiens ,including New Guinea varieties, in spots where they will get filtered light during the day. Avoid the hottest parts of the garden.
Roses can be planted now. A handful of Blood and Bone and a slow release fertiliser under each plant will produce strong, healthy growth through the summer. Plant out lavenders in pots, in the garden as specimens or as small hedges.
Deadhead Rhododendrons as they finish flowering. Be careful not to break off the new foliage shoots developing around the old flower. Bearded irises which have finished flowering can be lifted and divided and new pieces re planted. Plant rhizomes on the soil surface with the top slightly exposed.
Feed bedding annuals regularly with a liquid flowering plant food to obtain maximum blooms. For colour in cool shady parts of the garden, Fuchsias are ideal. They come in a range of colours, from pale pinks and lilacs to deep reds and purples. They are ideal for containers and baskets. Pinch back to encourage new, bushy growth. Liquid feed weekly.
 

General

Hoe borders and vegetable gardens regularly to keep weeds under control and keep the soil aerated. Pot up houseplants which are root bound. Large plants in large pots can be revitalized by loosening up the compost, and adding some slow release fertiliser and some fresh potting compost to the top of the pot.
Apply shade paint to greenhouses and open doors daily to prevent the buildup of pests and disease.
Mow lawns regularly as weather permits. Mow a little and often, rather than scalping the lawn.
 

What to look for in store this Month

New Guinea impatiens, Petunias, Impatiens, Geraniums, Osteospermums.
Lavender- a large range of varieties and sizes.
Packs of summer bedding.
Hanging baskets for you to make at home.
Pre-planted baskets and pots, ready to go!
Roses, bush and patio.
Rose Clear spray and rose gloves.
Climbing plants - large selection.
Bark mulch.
Pots, containers and composts.