June marks the beginning of summer in the UK, a time when gardens burst into life with colour, fragrance and activity. With longer daylight hours and warmer temperatures, it’s the perfect month for gardeners to make the most of their outdoor spaces. Whether you’re a seasoned green-fingered expert or a weekend hobbyist, there’s plenty to keep you busy in the garden.
June is prime lawn-growing season. With warmth and occasional rain, grass will grow quickly.
Practical Tips:
– Mow regularly (once a week or more, unless we’re in a drought).
– Raise the mower blades slightly during dry spells to avoid stressing the grass.
– Feed with a high-nitrogen summer lawn feed to keep it lush and green.
– Water deeply but infrequently, ideally in the early morning or late evening.
– Edge the lawn for a clean, defined look — it makes a surprisingly big visual impact.
Now that the risk of frost has passed in most areas, you can confidently plant out summer bedding.
What to Plant:
– Petunias, begonias, marigolds, lobelias and geraniums are popular choices.
– Don’t forget trailing varieties for hanging baskets and containers.
Tips:
– Prepare beds by weeding and enriching the soil with compost.
– Water well after planting and mulch to retain moisture. A simple layer of bark will also help suppress weeds.
Many flowering plants benefit from regular maintenance in June.
Deadheading (removing faded flowers) encourages plants to produce more blooms instead of going to seed.
Plants to Deadhead Now:
– Roses
– Delphiniums
– Lupins
– Geraniums
– Poppies
Pruning Tips:
– Cut back hardy geraniums after flowering to encourage a second flush.
– Prune spring-flowering shrubs like forsythia and philadelphus once their blooms have faded.
Plants like sweet peas, delphiniums and peonies can become leggy or topple after heavy rain or wind.
Tips:
– Use canes, twine or purpose-built plant supports.
– Tie in new growth as it appears.
– Check existing supports and adjust if needed.
If you’ve been growing edibles, June may reward your efforts.
Ready to Harvest in June:
– Strawberries
– Early potatoes
– Lettuce
– Spinach
– Radishes
– Broad beans
– Peas
Tip: Harvest regularly to encourage continued cropping and to prevent plants from bolting (going to seed).
Keep the harvest going by sowing seeds every couple of weeks.
Vegetables to Sow Now:
– Carrots
– Beetroot
– Lettuce (choose heat-tolerant varieties)
– Spring onions
– French beans
– Chard
– Pak choi
Herbs to Sow:
– Basil
– Coriander
– Dill
– Parsley
Practical Tips:
– Keep seedbeds moist (but not soggy), especially during dry spells.
If you’re growing these summer favourites, June is an important month for maintenance.
Tomato Care Tips:
– Pinch out side shoots on cordon varieties to focus energy on fruit.
– Feed with a high-potassium fertiliser once the first fruits set.
– Water consistently to avoid blossom end rot and fruit splitting.
Courgette & Pepper Tips:
– Keep plants well-watered.
– Watch for slugs around young courgette plants.
– Support pepper plants as they begin to set fruit.
Weeds thrive in summer and compete with your plants for water and nutrients.
Tips:
– Hoe or pull weeds weekly before they set seed.
– Apply mulch (compost, bark chips or well-rotted manure) around plants to suppress weeds and retain moisture.
– Water deeply but less often to encourage deep root growth.
Pollinators and garden wildlife are at their most active in June. Make your garden a welcoming space.
Tips:
– Avoid pesticides and use organic pest control methods.
– Leave a patch of long grass or wildflowers for bees and butterflies.
– Keep bird baths and ponds topped up during hot weather.
– Provide shallow dishes of water with pebbles for insects to land on.
Regular checks can help you catch problems early.
Common June Pests:
– Aphids
– Slugs and snails
– Lily beetles
– Caterpillars
Tips:
– Use water sprays or hand removal for aphids.
– Try beer traps or copper tape for slugs.
– Inspect under leaves and remove pests manually if needed.
If you’re growing under glass, temperatures can soar in summer.
Tips:
– Open vents and doors during the day to improve ventilation.
– Dampen the floor on hot days to raise humidity and lower temperature.
– Shade with mesh or whitewash if necessary.
– Keep an eye out for pests like red spider mites and whitefly.
Recycling in your garden is a sustainable way to reduce waste and nourish your plants.
– Compost kitchen scraps like fruit peels, coffee grounds and eggshells to enrich your soil.
– Use fallen leaves and grass clippings as mulch.
– Repurpose old containers, cans or broken pots as planters.
– Collect rainwater in barrels to reduce mains water use.
– Lay cardboard or newspaper under mulch to suppress weeds.
Recycling garden materials not only cuts waste but also supports a healthy garden ecosystem.
June is a good time to think ahead and prepare for later in the season.
Things to Do:
– Take cuttings from pelargoniums, fuchsias and herbs to propagate new plants.
June is a joyful, bustling month in the garden. With a little care and attention, your plants will reward you with vibrant blooms, fresh harvests and thriving wildlife. Take time to enjoy your garden as you work – whether it’s the scent of a rose, the taste of your first strawberry, or the sight of a bee hard at work, these are the simple pleasures that make gardening so rewarding.
Clyst St. Mary
Sidmouth Road, Clyst St. Mary,
Exeter, Devon, EX5 1AE.
Telephone: 01392 876281
Email: gardening@stbridgetnurseries.co.uk
OPENING HOURS
Monday to Saturday 9.00am to 5.00pm*
Sundays 10.00am to 4.00pm* (CLOSED EASTER SUNDAY)
Bank Holidays 9.00am to 5.00pm
*Cafe open until 4.30pm each day and until 3.30pm on Sundays.
