15 Gardening Tips for June

June is a vibrant month in the gardening calendar. The days are long, the weather is warm, and gardens are in full swing. Whether you're a seasoned gardener or just starting out, here are 15 essential tips to help you make the most of your garden this June.

1. Water Wisely

June can bring hot, dry weather, so it's essential to water your plants efficiently. Water early in the morning or late in the evening to reduce evaporation. Use a watering can with a fine rose or a drip irrigation system to ensure water reaches the roots where it's needed most.

2. Mulch for Moisture

Mulching helps retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as compost, straw, or bark, around your plants. This not only conserves water but also improves soil structure as it decomposes.

3. Deadhead Flowers

Regularly deadhead flowering plants to encourage more blooms and prolong the flowering season. Remove spent flowers by cutting back to a healthy leaf or bud. This is especially important for annuals and perennials like roses, geraniums, and petunias.

4. Feed Your Plants

June is a crucial month for feeding your garden. Use a balanced fertiliser to provide essential nutrients. For flowering plants, consider a high-potassium feed to boost blooms. Vegetable plots benefit from a general-purpose fertiliser to support healthy growth.

5. Control Pests

With the warmer weather, pests become more active. Keep an eye out for common garden pests like aphids, slugs, and snails. Use organic methods such as hand-picking, traps, and natural predators. If necessary, opt for environmentally friendly pesticides.

6. Support Climbing Plants

Climbing plants like beans, tomatoes, and clematis need support as they grow. Use stakes, trellises, or netting to provide a structure for them to climb. Regularly tie in new growth to prevent damage from wind or heavy rain.

7. Harvest Regularly

In June, many vegetables and fruits will be ready for harvest. Regularly pick crops like peas, beans, strawberries, and lettuce to encourage more production and prevent plants from becoming overburdened.

8. Plant Summer Bedding

If you haven’t already, now is the time to plant summer bedding plants. Choose colourful varieties such as marigolds, impatiens, and begonias to add instant vibrancy to your garden beds and containers.

9. Prune Spring-Flowering Shrubs

After spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs, forsythia, and azaleas have finished blooming, it’s time to prune them. Remove spent blooms and any dead or damaged branches to maintain their shape and encourage healthy growth.

10. Weed Regularly

Weeds compete with your plants for nutrients and water. Regular weeding is essential to keep them under control. Use a hoe or hand pull weeds before they set seed, and consider using a weed suppressant fabric in more problematic areas.

11. Care for Your Lawn

June is a good time to give your lawn some TLC. Mow regularly, but don’t cut the grass too short as it can become stressed in hot weather. Consider applying a lawn feed and water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep root growth.

12. Divide Perennials

If your perennials are becoming overcrowded, June is a good time to divide them. Lift and separate plants like daylilies, hostas, and irises. Replant the divisions immediately and water well to help them establish.

13. Sow Biennials

Biennials such as foxgloves, hollyhocks, and wallflowers can be sown in June for flowering the following year. Sow seeds in a seedbed or trays and transplant them into their final positions in autumn.

14. Plan for Pollinators

Encourage pollinators to your garden by planting a variety of nectar-rich flowers. Plants like lavender, echinacea, and buddleja are particularly attractive to bees and butterflies. Providing a water source can also help support these beneficial insects.

15. Enjoy Your Garden

Finally, take time to enjoy your garden. June is a beautiful month with an abundance of colour and life. Create a seating area where you can relax and appreciate the fruits of your labour, or host a garden party to share your space with family and friends.

By following these 15 tips, you can ensure your garden thrives throughout June and beyond. Happy gardening!