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June Top Tips

Top Gardening Tips by Frosts Garden Expert Maurice Rust

 

  • The weather should be getting warmer and possibly drier so remember that all shrubs and bedding plants which were planted out last month will need regurlar watering.
  • They have not had time to grow their roots out of the compost that they have been growing in, if left unwatered they will soon derterioate.
  • Watering is the most important task in all gardens. It is essential to give all plants a good soaking in the evening after the sun has set so that the water will not evaporate away. If the surface soil is only moistened it will encourage plants to make surface roots, which are more liable to suffer from drought.
  • The ground should be watered well, when it has soaked in it advisable to water again so the the moisture penetrates deeply.
  • Shrubs and other plants growing under trees often suffer from water shortage, partly because they have to compete with the trees for moisture from the soil  To keep plants in the shade of trees growing healthily they must be given ample moisture.
  • Daffodils will begin to look very untidy, do not be inpatient to cut then down until the bulb foliage has turned yellow. If clumps of bulbs have been planted for several years and they have not flowered as well as other years this is a sign that they are overcrowded, they can be lifted and replanted into to smaller amounts.
  • Towards the end of June roses are now at their best, as soon as the flowers have finished or past its best remove the dead flowers so that petals will not rot and damage other blooms. Cut immediately above a pair of leaf buds, this will encourage further bud and flower formation. Watch out for suckering growths that appear from below ground level, cut the way as near to the rootstck as possible to prevent further growth.
  • Aphids or 'greenfly' will be troublesome now as will powdery mildew, spray weekly to prevent damage to your shrubs and roses.Most insects are usually found feeding on the new young fleshy growth on the tips of plants.

Lawns

 

  • Summer mowing is well under way, twice weekly if you are a keen gardener when the soil is moist.
  • If there is a dry spell, raise the height of the cut to prevent damage to the lawn by cutting it too close to the roots.
  • This is the time for summer feeding and weeding.
  • If the lawn begins to look a little off colour or tired, use a fast acting nitrogen feed or sulphate of ammonia to give it a tonic and green it up.Spot weed-weeds that have survived early weed control treatments. Trim the edges regularly and prepare to water if there is a dry spell.

Herbaceous Border

 

  • The herbaceous border should now begin to look at its best with the early flowering plants in full colour, regular 'staking' and 'tying' checks should be made.
  • Plants can grow very quickly at this time of year, stems soon fill out and ties can cut into the soft growth very quickly.
  • Dead flower heads should be removed as soon as possible. Large clumps of hardy primulas, primroses and polyanthus can be lifted and divided in early June.
  • By the end of the month 'Flag Irises' will have finished flowering, where rhiizomes have become overcrowded now is the time to lift and divide. * In the 'Alpine Garden' many plants will have finished flowering, trim back the growths to keep the plants neat and compact.
  • This encourages them to make good growth for flowering next spring.
  • Cuttings from alpines can be taken now, rooting them in equal parts of multi-purpose compost and alpine grit or sharp sand.
  • Gardens with large trees growing close by are often troubled with capsid bugs, these insects leave small ragged holes in young leaves, buds and shoots may be killed.
  • Flowers which develope from buds from capsid bugs may be deformed.
    These insects can do a lot of damage to fuchsias, dahlias and Chrysanthemums. Regular spraying with insecticide is required.

Fruit Garden

 

  • With the beginning of June we can now see the first signs of the coming harvest with young berries and fruits beginning to swell with the warm sunny days.
  • Pest and disease control are priorities at the moment.
  • The small white grubs often found in raspberries can be a nuisance. They are the grubs of the Raspbeerry Bettle and can be controlled by spraying with derris now.
  • Watch out for any sucker growths on fruit trees, if left to grow these shoots will take moisture and energy from the trees.
  • Blackfly is often troublesome on both fruiting and ornamental cherry trees at this time of year regular spraying with insecticde is required to keep it under control to prevent damage to young growth.
  • Grape Vines will be growing very fast and making a lot of growth.
  • New side-growths should have their growing points pinched out at two leaves beyond the bunch of young grapes.
  • Any secondary growth should be stopped after the frist pair of leaves.
  • This is done so that the vine will put all its energy into making the fruit swell rather than leaf growth.
  • Regular spraying with insecticide and fungicide is required to keep the vines free of insects and mildews at this time of year, regular watering is also required.

Vegetable Garden

 

  • Marrows, Courgettes, Peppers, Cucumbers, Tomatoes and Sweet Corn can be safely planted outside now. Carrots and Beetroot sown last month will now require thinning.
  • Celery can also be planted this month.
  • Runner Beans plants can be planted out now, or plant the bean seed straight in to the garden soil.
  • During this month cabbage, cauliflower and brussel sprout plants will all suffer from aphids and the cabbage white butterfly, regular spraying with chemical insecticide is the only way to control this problem.
  • Leeks planted out this month will require lots of water to get them established,
  • Plants such as Peas, Lettuce and other salad crops can be sown to keep a succession of fresh vegetables for the kitchen table.

Bedding Plants

 

  • The full range of bedding plants can be safely planted outside without any fear of frost damage, there is also a full range hanging basket and container plants available, by the middle of the month supplies of pack bedding will be coming to an end, then a larger range of pot bedding plants will be available.
  • Remember to keep all these young plants well watered and weekly feeds with liquid fertilizers will help them develop a strong root system to feed the plants and provide beautiful flowers until the autumn.

House Plants

 

  • A wide range of house plants are available, remember to keep an eye on foliage plants that are in direct sunlight either on window sills in the home or in the conservatory.
  • The rays from the sun are much stronger and hotter now so scorching of leaves will soon happen, especially if the plant pot is dry.
  • Move plants out of direct sunlight and keep well watered, remember also to feed your house plants with liquid feed throughout the growing period.

The Garden Pond

 

  • Maintain Blanket weed controls, bright sunshine will encourage quick growth.
  • Give plenty of plant cover to the pond, Floating plants are ideal for this water hyacinths and water lettuce. Aim for 50-60% plant cover. Bright sunshine encourages algae.
  • Water lillies should be preparing to flower now-if your lily is just pushing up leaves it may just need repotting.
  • If possible fit a fountain and/or an air pump to increase oxygenation of the the water during hot weather-essential if you see the fish gasping at the surface.
  • Filter systems must be running continuously now. * Fish will be very active now use a high protein food for the summer-natural food in the pond e.g. insect lavae will supplement fish diet.
  • Tad Poles will be growing legs and turning into frogs-Adult frogs will also be in or around thre pond-great slug controllers.
  • Check fish health regularly as high temperatures will accelerate problems.
  • If topping up your pond during the summer be sure to use "Dechlorinating" treatments to neautralise tap water chemicals.
  • Sludge buster treatments will help breakdown excess organic waste at the bottom of the pond-especially when using algae treatments.

Trees and Shrubs

 

  • June is the month when the garden should look its best, before the warmer days of July and August take their toll on the shrubs with strong rays from the sun and drying winds scorching the foliage.
  • Trees looking at their best now include Aesculus, Crataegus, Emobothrium, Laburnum,Robinia and Styrax. Many of the summer flowering shrubs are now begining to flower these include Abelia, Cistus, Colutea, Cotoneaster, Cytisus, Deutzia, Escallonia, Gentista, Halimiocistus, Hallmium, Hebes, Helianthemum, Kalmia, Kolkwititzia amablilis, Olearia, paeonia, Philadelphus, Potentilla, Rhododendrons, Roses, Spartium junceum, Spiraea, Syringa, Viburnums and Weigela
  • Many of the summer flowering clematis will be at their peak of flowering this month. Do not forget to keep then well watered and their roots shaded with some bark or cobble stones this will help preserve mositure in the soil.

Top Tips For The Month 

 

  • Keep all freshly planted trees, shrubs and bedding plants well watered this month with the warmer temperatures during the day plants will soon show signs of stress.
  • Water in the evening after the sun has set.
  • A good hoe is as good as a watering can, loosen the soil this will not only keep weeds down but help prevent cracks appearing in the soil, as this is where moisture will evaporate from.