Gardening Jobs for June

Gardening jobs in June center around maintaining your plants and harvesting your crops. Get ready for vibrant flowers to fill your garden alongside the endless sunshine.

Make sure to keep an eye on the moisture levels of your garden this June, as with the longest days of the year, there’s plenty of chances for your plants to dry out!

Tips for June Gardening

1. Watering your plants early in the morning or late in the evening is a great practice in June. With longer days and hotter weather, watering early or late will allow your plants to absorb all the water they need before the sun hits its peak. This is especially important for thirsty crops like tomatoes and courgettes.
2. Keep soil moist for longer with mulch. If you haven’t already mulched your plants make sure to do so. Roses, dahlias and vegetable beds will appreciate it!
3. June is the perfect time to start planning for late summer and autumn plants and harvests.

Garden Maintenance

1. Mow your lawns weekly to prevent overgrowth. During dry periods make sure to raise your blade to prevent damage to your lawn and improve drought resistance.
2. Trim lawn edges and weed between paving to keep your garden clean and tidy.
3. Pressure wash patios and decking if dirt is gathering or they are becoming slippery.
4. Sharpen and clean tools, especially shears, to keep them in good condition and prevent the spread of diseases between plants.
5. Keep compost heaps moist and turn regularly. If decomposition is slow, empty the compost bin before mixing to provide a boost.

Garden Beds

1. Hoe your garden bed borders weekly to help catch weeds early and stop them from rooting.
2. Make sure to check your garden beds and pots for pets such as vine weevil, slugs and snails. Lay traps or add treatment as needed.
3. Stake tall-growing plants like lupins, delphiniums and hollyhocks to provide support as they grow.
4. Deadhead aquilegias, irises and peonies to prevent self-seeding.

Vegetables

1. Earth up any maincrop potatoes you have growing and check them for signs of blight.
2. Harden off and plant out runner beans, french beans, courgettes, squash, and sweetcorn.
3. Pinch out the side shoots on cordon tomatoes and tie into supports.
4. Be careful not to overwater your plants in anticipation of hotter weather.
5. Net your vegetables like cabbages, kale and broccoli to protect them against birds like pigeons.
6. Start drying your onions and garlic as the tops begin to yellow.
7. Water consistently to avoid bolting in lettuce and splitting in tomatoes.

Fruits

1. Net your developing strawberries, gooseberries, and currants to protect them from birds.
2. Place straw under strawberries to lift the fruit up from the soil.
3. Thin out apple, pear and plum fruits leaving only one fruit per cluster. This will help improve the quality of the fruit growing.
4. Tie in new growth on raspberries and blackberries.
5. Start to harvest early varieties of cherries, gooseberries and strawberries.

Flowers

1. Continue deadheading roses, geraniums, cosmos and marigolds to promote growth and prevent disease.
2. Tie in climbing clematis, honeysuckle and climbing roses to provide essential support.
3. Sow biennials like wallflowers, sweet williams, foxgloves and canterbury bells for next spring.
4. Don’t forget your container plants - make sure to feed them weekly.
5. Harden off and plant out dahlias, zinnias, cosmos and sunflowers.
6. Watch for greenfly and black spots on rose buds and red lily beetles on lilies. Spray and treat these plants if present.

Trees & Shrubs

1. Prune spring-flowering shrubs like weigela, deutzia and philadelphus to promote seed production instead of growth.
2. Deadhead rhododendrons and azaleas to promote blooms and overall plant health.
3. Trim evergreen hedges like box, privet and yew. Make sure to check for birds before pruning.
4. Check tree ties and adjust if needed to prevent rubbing.

Herbs

1. Harvest basil, parsley, chives, mint and coriander regularly.
2. Cut back mint, oregano, and thyme to encourage fresh regrowth
3. Sow more dill, coriander and parsley every few weeks to maintain supply.
4. Dry or freeze excess herbs for use later in the year.

Greenhouse

1. Open vents daily and use shading to prevent overheating during periods of long sunshine.
2. Mist plants like cucumbers and peppers to keep humidity up.
3. Feed fruiting crops with fertiliser weekly to promote growth.
4. Watch for pests like whitefly, red spider mite, and aphids. Set up traps or treat where applicable.
5. Harden off and plant out any tender plants that you still have yet to transfer like tomatoes and hanging plants.
6. Remove yellowing leaves and dead flowers to maintain hygiene, promote growth and prevent disease.

Wildlife & Birds

1. Clean bird baths regularly and top up daily with clean water.
2. Leave small wild patches or log piles to support insects and wildlife.
3. Don’t disturb nesting areas. Wait until late summer for major pruning - if it cannot be avoided make sure to check shrubs and trees before pruning.

Ponds

1. Thin and divide out overgrown oxygenators and water lilies. Add any floating plants you’d like.
2. Remove duckweed and blanket weed using a net or stick
3. Top up with rainwater if levels are low
4. Clean out pump filters and ensure good water circulation.