June is the midsummer month in the garden – still fresh and full of promise; yet bursting with colour and scent. . I don’t know about you but my roses are really getting into their stride – lovely!
After a dry spring we should be grateful for the rain …but it would be good if it could rain gently but thoroughly overnight rather than during the day, leaving those warm and sunny don’t you think?
Whether we have rain or sun, the long days keep plants growing and keep gardeners busy in the garden until late evening: so what midsummer gardening tasks for June are there?
3 Gardening Tasks for June
1] Watering tips – Remember that even if it rains, pots in the shelter of a porch still need watering. So too will house plants and the second sowings of seedlings still in the greenhouse and polytunnels. Some plants in particular prefer rainwater to tap water, that lemon tree on your patio for example. Find some tips on watering and water conservation in the garden ready for when we do get a prolonged hot spell here
2] Grow your own strawberries and sparkling wine for Wimbledon at the end of the month – why not? I think most of us watch it on TV. Would you be surprised to learn that growing your own fruit and Vegetables can be easy maintenance? And we can help you grow your own Wimbledon strawberries with an Edible Gardens Course
3] Continue to pick rhubarb from late season and perpetual cultivars, but remember to leave at least two or three healthy stalks per crown so the plant can replenish itself to give you lots more rhubarb next year. There are so many ideas and gardening tips in the Edible Gardens Blog category that you may prefer to read through the sub-section that interests you most!
Gardening Tasks for June – extra
Garden Pests – Lily Beetles, Rosemary Beetle, slugs, snails, aphids, foxes, squirrels, rabbits – a seemingly endless list. There are tips for dealing with various pests, encouraging predators and pest resistant planting ideas in the Pests and Predators category in Plews blog
The answer is to catch them early before much damage is done. So take a cup of tea or a glass of wine into your garden when you finish work and have a close look at your plants if they look anything other than in prime health.
Gardening Workshops in Marie’s garden
Small group workshops so you get plenty of attention. There are a range of topics, some seasonal, but currently on offer are –
Free Plants – How & When to Divide Herbaceous Perennials
Fast Food: Grow Your Own Pizza Garden
Seed Saving 101: Collecting & Storing Seeds from Your Garden
With a mix of practical, hands on demonstration and guided practice, you’ll go home with more gardening knowledge and something to grow on in your own garden.
Prices from £35 – £53 depending on length & materials provided, includes tea / coffee on arrival & Eventbrite booking fee. There are also Earlybird offers
Location is Biggin Hill / Westerham (just inside M25). NB there are steps as the garden is on a hill
Gardens to visit this month
The London Open Gardens Weekend, is a unique opportunity to visit gardens that are not normally open to the public. Taking place on June 6 & 7, it is hosted by those who own and care for the gardens and run by the London Gardens Trust. Check their website for details.
Rose Gardens are just coming into full bloom and scent this month. We’re so lucky to have have a brilliant selection to chose from in the United Kingdom. And if you’re thinking of growing more roses in your garden, this is a perfect time to be out choosing which ones, as you can sniff as well as look. To get you started, have a perusal of the following Plews blogs – Scented Roses and Hybrid Tea Roses.
And talking of local, remember to check out both the National Garden Scheme and community magazines for gardens open for charity. Those near to you have the extra advantage of growing plants which will grow happily in your own garden.
And talking of open gardens … if you can’t make it to the Workshops, you can still follow Marie’s garden & its renovation on Instagram or Facebook It’ll be at least a year before she can open her garden but you can watch the progress until then!
Are you the person who organises talks for your local gardening club, WI, U3A, history society, or general club?
Have a look at the Talks page to see if Marie’s wide ranging garden related topics might interest you and your members. Recent ones given include Planting for Shady Front Gardens Trees for Small Gardens, and Record keeping – how necessary is it for most gardeners?
Attending one of Marie’s gardening talks is more than just sitting in a chair and being spoken to. It’s a learning experience and an inspirational journey. She brings her vast knowledge to life with captivating stories, simple explanations and demonstrations.
Would you like even more gardening tips, garden design ideas and seasonal gardens to visit?
Why not check out the gardening blog articles on a range of topics in Plews Potting Shed?
Recently confirmed as being in the Top Ten Garden Design blogs and Top Thirty Gardening blogs.
“interesting even if you have no intention of picking up a spade”
Thanks Tim, who is a regular reader if a reluctant gardener!
