June marks the start of longer days and (hopefully!) warmer weather. It's a crucial time for growth and flowering, and it means lots of work will be needed to ensure your garden survives the peak of summer. Here are the seven gardening tasks the experts recommend you do this month.
You may feel like you've missed the season to plant beautiful flowers this year, but you can still grow roses in pots throughout June. (Getty Images)
As the final days of spring slowly approach, the countdown begins to get your garden ready in time for the long-awaited summer.
June brings longer (hopefully!) days and warmer weather, meaning gardeners can spend more time outdoors amongst the leaves. It's a crucial time for growth and flowering, and there's lots of work to be done to keep plants thriving until the peak of summer.
From pruning spring-flowering shrubs to supporting a thriving vegetable garden, now is the time for proactive maintenance—the rewards will show in the form of lush foliage, bountiful harvests, and spectacular displays of color.
To help you identify which gardening tasks to prioritise this month, garden gazebo expert Samantha Richards from Gazeboshop has shared seven tasks that gardening-loving Brits should tackle before summer kicks off on 20 June.
1. Tie new stems of climbing or rambling roses to a support.
“You may feel like you've missed the season to plant beautiful flowers this year, but you can still plant potted roses throughout June.
“Roses add sophistication and vibrant color to outdoor spaces, and now is the perfect time to tie new stems of climbing or rambling roses to supports to encourage growth and more blooms.”
2. Taking softwood cuttings from hydrangeas
“If you already have hydrangeas in your garden, June is the ideal time to propagate these plants further by taking softwood cuttings. Hydrangeas make a lovely addition to outdoor spaces and can be used to liven up flower beds and flower beds.”
“To take a cutting, first use clean, sharp pruning shears to cut a new, non-flowering shoot about 10cm from just above where it joins the stem. Remove the bottom leaves from the cutting and, for best results, dip the bottom of the cutting in a rooting enhancer before planting it in a clean pot with fresh soil. Keep it in a cool, moist place out of direct sunlight until you're ready to repot it.”
3. Continue to plant summer flowers in pots and flower beds and water them regularly.
“You can also plant vibrant summer flowers in your pots and flower beds throughout June in preparation for summer. Geraniums, sweet peas, pansies and marigolds can be planted from seed or, for less hassle, from sprouted seedlings. Remember to water newly planted flowers regularly and pluck the tops off while they are still young to encourage even larger blooms.”
4. Water Container Displays and Hanging Baskets
“As the weather starts to warm up again throughout June, it's important to keep an eye on your water container displays and hanging baskets and water them regularly. Once every few weeks in mild temperatures, but more likely daily during hotter periods. Remember to avoid rainy days to avoid overwatering.”
5. Get into the habit of watering your outdoor plants daily, but check the soil first.
“Hanging baskets aren't the only ones that need daily care this month. Outdoor plants in the garden also need daily watering, but always check the soil first. Our lovely British weather may already be helping you out as spring rains continue into summer. Just be careful not to overwater as this can cause plants to wither.”
6. Move citrus fruits outdoors
“If you're growing citrus fruits, now is the time to move them outside. These plants thrive best in a humid environment. To achieve this in warmer months, place your citrus tree on a large tray filled with gravel, with a water level just below the gravel. As the water begins to evaporate, it will create moisture around the tree. You can also mist the tree with water in the early morning hours, especially on hot days.”
7. Don't forget to water (and wipe) your houseplants
While you may be focusing a lot of your attention outdoors this time of year, make sure you're also looking after your houseplants in the process. Even if they don't get direct sunlight, warmer temperatures and longer daylight hours will likely cause the soil to dry out.
“This month, check the soil in your houseplants two to three times a week and add water if necessary. Some houseplants tend to collect dust, so wipe them down regularly to keep them looking their best.”
