Peter’s Gardening tips for June
It is a very busy time in the gardening calendar, so time for a dose of Vitamin 'G'
The weather has been very mixed for the past month, which is the perfect recipe for a happy garden!
Now everything is exploding into growth and the plants, like us, are solar-powered. What a difference the weather makes to everyone.
Time to plant out bedding plants, more tender vegetables, courgette, pumpkin, squash, sweet corn, french and runner beans…
If you can continue No Mow May into June and see how many wildflowers, different grasses, beetles and butterflies you can see in your mini meadow…
Scent in a garden is one of the most important senses to enjoy. It stirs up so many memories…
Climbing Rose Madame Alfred Carriere
Philadelphus (Mock Orange) is a very under-rated plant. Try Philadelphus coronarius Aureus, purpurecens, Starbright, or Belle Etoile. Over 80 to collect! Also try Daphnes, choisya, honeysuckles etc.
Rosemary
Herbs are a must-have and not just for cooking or using in salads. Plant creeping thyme, mint or camomile to tread on planted in gravel or between paving slabs to release their wonderful aromas, and plant lavender or Rosemary to brush against as you walk past.
Philadelphus coronarius Aureus
The crucial thing is to have scented plants whether foliage or flowers, near to where you sit in the garden. Everyone has their own sense of smell and scent is very personal, it evokes so many things in our sub-conscious, relaxes, brings back memories, calms and gives and incredible sense of pleasure.
It is possible to plan and plant scented plants that will flower every month of the year, try -use your nose, have a good sniff and educate your sense of smell, enjoy!!
Jobs to do in June
After the cold nights followed by rain in parts of the country take a close look around your garden for signs of damage. Cut back broken stems of herbaceous plants, tie in roses, and climbers.
Vegetables
Plant out Runner Beans, Pumpkins, Courgettes, Tomatoes, Climbing French Beans.
Keep sowing salad crops at 3 weekly intervals for a continuous supply.
Weeds
Nasty weeds are having a field day. Watch out for Japanese Knotweed. The wet and mild winter has meant deep rooted weeds are getting off to a flying start. The growth is extraordinary. Capable of coming up through tarmac… Check out Environet.
Other weeds like Giant Hogweed and Ragwort– which are poisonous, have loved the wet conditions so germination has been really good. Please wear gloves or gauntlets to remove these weeds!
In hot sunny weather use a hoe or a swoe to cut down weeds at soil level, let the sun scorch them up! No chemicals and good exercise!
With hot weather forecast don’t cut your lawn too short.
Keep feeding and watering all plants in tubs, containers and do use slow-release fertiliser if you can. For all newly planted plants, a good soak is better than a shower each day!!!
Enjoy visiting Open and Secret Gardens all over the country, National Garden Scheme gardens, National Trust gardens
There is nothing better than horticultural espionage! You gain and learn so much. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and buy plants!
Whatever the weather, enjoy your gardening, take time out, use your senses, listen to the bird song, stop and observe life around you, relax with a glass of your favourite tipple, draw breath and inhale the scents of yours or somebody else’s garden!
Happy Gardening!
Peter
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