Gardening in June: Summer Arrives

Gardening jobs for June rarely feel like chores. Nature is in full swing, plants are looking fantastic and the wildlife is enjoying the weather just as much as you are. Evening times are all about soft light, balmy temperatures and the feeling that life just doesn’t get better than this. No time to be complacent though, those early summer gardening tasks are calling. Here’s your gardening ‘to-do’ list for June.

What to Do in the Garden in June

June gardening jobs are gentle, mindful and rewarding. Outdoor jobs turn into a way to enjoy being immersed in nature on lovely warm days. Whilst in the cutting garden and the veg patch there are plenty of rich pickings to be had.

• Keep mowing the lawn regularly
• Harvest edibles and either preserve or donate the excess
• Tie in or support fast-growing plants
• Keep on top of weeding and watering
• Be mindful of the potential need for controlling pests and diseases
• Top up water bowls for wildlife on a daily basis
• Clear pond filters

Flowers and Borders

June flower care is an absolute joy. The colours, the scents and the daily appearance of yet more blooms warrant spending as much time in the garden as possible. Those gorgeous displays won’t maintain themselves, though. So here are a few tasks for the June flower garden.

• Deadhead roses, sweet peas and annuals regularly to encourage more blooms
• Stake tall perennials such as delphiniums and heavy blooms such as peonies to stop them from flopping over or being damaged by rain.
• Water hanging baskets and window boxes daily 
• Feed flowering plants fortnightly with a balanced fertiliser
• Keep an eye out for pests and diseases and treat them appropriately

Fruit and Vegetables

Is there any other food that can compare with the first strawberries from your garden? Juicy, sweet and still warm from the sun. Or perhaps you prefer uncovering those tiny new potatoes - perfect when boiled and served with a simple salad? Harvesting early crops is a genuine pleasure that you’ll want to last all summer long and these June vegetable garden jobs include successional sowing and planting to keep those good things coming.

• Harvest early salad crops such as lettuce, rocket, spring onions and radish.
• Sow seeds for fast growing salad crops and for root vegetables and brassicas for harvest in autumn
• If you didn’t do it last month, plant out tender veggies such as courgettes, squashes, tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and sweetcorn.
• Water food crops regularly, particularly thirsty plants such as squashes, beans, peas and tomatoes.
• Protect soft fruits against birds.
• Thin apple crops to allow the fruits to swell - use the small apples for chutney’s or apple jelly.

Lawns & Hedges: Jobs to do in June

Judicious June lawn care will help prepare the grass plants for any potential drought. Ensuring that your lawn has all the nutrients it needs to withstand hot dry weather, and minimising stress upon the plants will help to keep your lawn greener for longer this summer. Read on for summer mowing tips and lawn care advice.

• Mow your lawn regularly, raising the mower bar to reduce stress on the plants. The ideal height for a family lawn in summer is 5-8cm. With plenty of green leaves to shade the soil, this minimises water loss and allows the plants to harness plenty of energy from the sun.
• Newly seeded or turfed lawns must never be allowed to dry out. Irrigate early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid water being lost through evaporation.
• Apply a good quality lawn feed, being careful to follow the manufacturer's instructions carefully.
• Foliar lawn feed containing seaweed extract is useful at this time of year to boost colour and resilience.
• Remove lawn weeds by hand
• Trim lawn edges
• Fast-growing hedges can be trimmed provided there are no birds nesting within them. All clippings should be cleared away to help protect against fungal diseases.

Trees & Shrubs

As the sun’s rays start to strengthen with the approach of midsummer’s day, wildlife. Pets and humans alike will appreciate the cool shade cast by trees and shrubs in the garden. For the first 12-18 months after planting, watering trees in June is a must. Using a hydration bag will mean a constant supply of water with minimal effort from the gardener.

• Once the blooms have faded, prune spring flowering shrubs such as Lilac, Philadelphus and Deutzia.
• Check that ties and stakes on young trees are secure and that they are not digging into the stem or compromising growth.
• Remove suckers from the base of fruit trees.
• Trim and shape fast-growing shrubs such as laurel.

Greenhouse, Indoor & Container Gardening

Greenhouse, indoor and container plants will be growing fast this month, so be sure to keep up with your watering and feeding regime. If you are planning a holiday, you may want to ask neighbours to water your plants while you’re away. Alternatively, you could install an automated irrigation system that you can control from an app.

Jobs to do in the greenhouse this June include:

• Protect plants in greenhouses and cold frames, with shade mesh, blinds or paint-on shading. This will help to avoid overheating and scorching.
• Ventilate glass houses by opening doors, windows and vents during the day.
• Dampen floors to increase humidity.
• Support tomato plants. Remove side shoots from vine tomatoes at least once a week.
• Feed tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers and aubergines on a weekly basis using a high-potash fertiliser.
• Keep container plants well watered and fed during dry periods.
• Deadhead window boxes, hanging baskets and planters to encourage a longer flowering period.
• Move houseplants outdoors so that they can enjoy the summer weather too.
• Feed and water houseplants regularly.
• Move houseplants into larger pots if they are becoming root-bound.

Wildlife & Sustainability Tips

At this time of year, young birds will be fledging and flying the nest and they’ll appreciate all you can offer to help them stay fed, hydrated and safe. Likewise butterfly and bee populations will be growing and they too will need a source of pollen (for protein) and nectar (for energy). Wildlife gardening in June means ensuring that as many creatures as possible have what they need to thrive.

• Keep bird baths and drinkers topped up with fresh water.
• Avoid strimming or mowing areas of long grass where wildlife may be sheltering.
• Nurture pollinator-friendly plants such as lavender, foxglove, sedums and allium.
• Think ahead by planting berry-bearing shrubs for autumn and winter bird food
• Install and maintain systems to collect and store rainwater for watering
• Use solar-powered lighting to create evening ambience. Aim to follow DarkSky guidance[1.1] to protect nocturnal creatures.
• When sitting outdoors, use coats or blankets rather than patio heaters to keep warm on chilly evenings.
• Keep nurturing that compost heap or invest in a wormery for eco-friendly garden mulch production
• Find out where to recycle plastic plant pots and dispose of unwanted pots and trays responsibly.

Seasonal Planting Ideas for June

Wondering what to plant in June? Well, there are plenty of June garden flowers on sale in your local garden centre, but did you know you can also start growing flowers from seed this month? Keep reading our seasonal planting tips for more….

• Sow seeds of Wallflowers, Sweet Williams and Foxgloves for a luxuriously scented display next spring.
• Plant out late summer bloomers such as Dahlias, Salvias and Michaelmas daisies.
• Replace tired-looking spring displays with vibrant bedding plants and perennials from the garden centre.
• Grow herbs such as basil, coriander and chives in pots, borders or window boxes.
• Sow seeds of salad crops, peas, beans, beetroot, carrot, courgettes, turnips and kale to keep those delicious home-grown crops going well into the winter months.

Garden Maintenance and Planning

June garden maintenance is relatively relaxed but as always, there’s no time for complacency. This is the time of year for ‘pottering’, relishing the warm days, stretching your muscles and joints and soaking up the gentle ambience that is unique to gardens in June.

• Keep deadheading roses, shrubs and summer bedding. *tip* If your planting scheme includes colourful rose-hips in autumn, resist the urge to cut off all of the spent flowers - for these will turn into hips later in the year.
• Weed control is paramount - remove unwanted plants as soon as you spot them and mulch borders to suppress weed growth.
• Be vigilant for pests and diseases, treat promptly using mechanical methods (ie removing pests and diseased foliage) or apply suitable eco-friendly solutions.
  Start thinking about late summer colour, autumn crops and winter interest.
• Assess your plot and jot down what you would like to change in time for next June. Eg plant combinations, hard landscaping features, irrigation or lighting.

Quick Gardening Checklist for June

In a hurry? Here’s your quick checklist for essential June gardening tasks

• Mow lawns regularly, keeping grass 5–8 cm high to reduce drought stress.
• Water plants consistently, especially containers, baskets and new plantings.
• Weed little and often to stop weeds spreading.
• Deadhead roses, sweet peas and summer bedding to encourage more flowers.
• Stake or tie in tall or fast-growing plants to prevent damage.
• Feed flowering plants fortnightly and greenhouse crops weekly.
• Harvest early vegetables and salads regularly.
• Sow more salads and vegetables for continuous crops into autumn.
• Plant out tender vegetables such as tomatoes, courgettes and peppers if not done already.
• Prune spring-flowering shrubs once blooms fade.
• Trim hedges and lawn edges (check for nesting birds first).
• Support wildlife by keeping bird baths and water sources topped up.

FAQs: Gardening in June