TINA WOODHAMS GARDENING NOTES FOR JUNE
We are heading rapidly towards the longest day of the year!
Warmer temperatures and extra sunlight means that pots and planters already filled with bedding plants will benefit from regular watering and feeding. Use a high-potash or liquid tomato feed and remove dead flower blooms as they fade to encourage repeat flowering.
With a distinct lack of rain during the spring, we need to be water-wise in our gardens. Use water butts to store water and try to water every other day using a watering can. Top priorities for watering are seedlings, cuttings and anything that you have
recently planted – established shrubs and lawns should generally survive.
Deciduous shrubs that flower in spring or early summer can be pruned, such as philadelphus (mock orange) and weigela which flower on the previous year’s growth. Pruning immediately after flowering allows the most growth for flowers next year! Remove any damaged or dead wood and cut a fifth of stems to ground level to improve air flow around the shrub.
Harvest early potatoes and remove side shoots from tomato plants – these are the ones that grow between the main stem and the leaf- and start to feed them as soon as the first truss is setting fruit. Keep your greenhouse well-ventilated and shaded to avoid plants scorching. Various methods include fitting blinds, installing shade netting or applying a shading paint directly onto the glass.
Harden off any tender vegetable plants such as courgette, squashes and sweetcorn, and plant out. Sow a ‘cut and come again’ salad leaf mix, these will thrive either in the ground or in containers and are invaluable for fresh pickings in an instant!
Now is the time to start pruning stone fruit trees – cherry and plum – these will naturally shed some fruit, however, if branches are congested then these should be thinned out in order for the remaining fruit to grow larger.
If you decided to observe the ‘No Mow May’ campaign then you can either re-start mowing in June or wait until August which allows the wild plants to flower, providing food and habitat for insects and other wildlife. If you choose to mow now, then maintain the lawn edges with a half-moon edging tool and edging shears to ensure your borders are kept grass-free. In periods of dry weather it is worthwhile raising the lawn mower blades to reduce stress on the grass.
With the maximum daylight hours in sight, after completing your tasks you will have more time to sit, relax and enjoy all your efforts.
Happy Gardening!