“FLAMING JUNE”

Borders

Plant summer bedding
Plant up window boxes and troughs with seasonal colour  
Thin out seedlings of hardy annuals that were sown directly into the soil
Give roses a good feed, checking for pests and signs of black spot on the foliage.
Spray Roses with proprietary control if necessary. Collect and destroy any diseased foliage.
Support taller annuals and perennials with pea sticks pushed into the soil
Clip hedges
Ensure new plants are watered during dry spells.

Fruit and Vegetables

Tie new canes of Raspberries and Blackberries onto wires.
Pick Rhubarb regularly and do not allow it to form flower spikes
Remove damaged branches from Damsons and Plums, do any pruning at this time of year to reduce damage from silverleaf.
Spread nets over soft fruit bushes - blackbirds will beat you to it otherwise !
Check fruit cages for tears or damage
Put straw or matting under Strawberries to protect from slugs
Thin out rows of  vegetable seedlings, allow them to reach their potential
Plant leeks when the plants are as thick as a pencil using a dibber to make the hole, then water in to fill in hole.
Finish harvesting Asparagus then allow to produce ferns, this puts energy back in for next year. (The fern gets cut down by November before it berries).
Keep onions well watered to ensure that the bulbs swell
Water Potatoes if it is dry, hill up where required.
Plant out runner beans if hardened off from greenhouse, sow any outdoor varieties now.
Pinch out tips of broad beans to discourage black fly

Lawns

Mow lawns more frequently and reduce the cutting height if the grass is growing quickly
Water in dry spells.
Feed tired lawns with lawn food to give them a boost
Apply a combined feed and weed if not already done

Greenhouse

Use a shade paint or netting on greenhouses to prevent over heating and scorching of tender plants, ensuring adequate ventilation
Automatic Vent openers are a godsend, check out the Garden Centre.
Feed all plants at least once a week
Use a biological control or fumigate if pests are a problem
Continue training and feeding cucumbers and melons
How are the tomatoes coming on ?
Pick male flowers from cucumbers and pollinate female flowers, alternatively check with the Garden Centre, we grow female varieties with the hassle.
Soak the floor morning and evening to keep up humidity when hot and sunny.

Ponds

Continue to feed pond fish
Remove any blanket weed by twirling it around a stick
Check filters and pumps, clean when necessary.
Add a Pond Air Pump for extra oxygen when the temperature rises.

General Tasks

Take cuttings of Geraniums, Fuchsias, Coleus and house plants (Penstemons are really easy)
Watch out for pest and disease in all areas and spray when necessary
Stake Herbaceous plants to prevent damage from wind and rain.

Plants which are at their best in June

Lupinus (Lupins)
Violas
Alliums
Lavendula (Lavender)
Philadelphus varieties (Mock Orange)
Potentilla
Papaver (Poppy)
Hosta varieties (Plantain Lily)
Hardy Geraniums (Cranesbill)
Wisteria
Roses
Paeonies (Peony)
Campanula (Bellflower)