With the threat of frosts now behind us, bedding plants can be planted out to give stunning displays in your borders, hanging baskets or containers.
Bedding plants will need regular watering and feeding. If the weather is very warm check the watering daily as containers dry out very quickly.
Check the vegetable patch as early crops should be ready for harvesting and you can continue to sow other crops like lettuces for a continual supply.
Potatoes should be earthed-up to boost the crop, and first earlies will be ready for harvesting.
Ensure your fruit trees have enough water when the fruits are swelling. After what is know as the “June drop” when trees shed surplus fruit you can thin any that are still too many to give you fruits of a decent size.
Tackling weeds in your lawn can be difficult without leaving bare patches. It is best to use a selective weedkiller that can be used on the lawn. For spot weeding choose a special lawn weedkiller such as Verdone Extra that can kill broad-leaved weeds without doing any harm whatsoever to the grass.
Lawn feed and weed products are great – getting 2 jobs done at once!
Ericaceous plants such as Heathers, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and Camellias will appreciate soft rainwater, especially if you live in a hard water area. If watering with ‘hard’ tap water becomes essential, add a couple of drops of vinegar to each gallon of water before watering these acid-loving plants.
As is typical for this time of year, watch out for slugs, snails, and aphids. If you are growing brassicas, check for Cabbage White Butterfly eggs on the undersides of the leaves. You can rub them off or wash them away before they hatch.
There is still time to plant some seeds. Try Calendulas (Marigolds), Candytuft, Nasturtiums, Poached egg plant (Limnanthes), and Sunflowers,
Plants looking good in June; Many Clematis varieties, Philadelphus and if you have a pond, beuatiful Water Lilies.
Wildlife Gardening for June
Continue to put out food for the birds.
Make sure the bird bath is clean and full of fresh water.
Try to trim hedges less frequently to give shelter and food for wildlife.
Be careful not to disturb nesting birds when working around the garden.
Choose a wildlife friendly slug control such as Vitax Slug Gone.
Feed hedgehogs with dog food (not chicken varieties) not bread and milk. Or a Hedgehog Feed such as Tom Chambers Hungry Hedgehog Blend.
Leave roses which produce hips without dead-heading.
