June Gardening Jobs in the UK
“Summer Arrives in Full Bloom”
Summer is finally here. The days are long, the borders are buzzing, and the lawn seems to grow faster every time you look at it. June is the month where the garden hits its stride, full of life, colour and energy. But with all that growth comes plenty of jobs to keep you busy.
Lawn Care
Lawns love June’s warmth, so you’ll notice vigorous growth. Mow once or twice a week, (twice is better for a thick lush lawn) to keep things looking sharp, but avoid cutting too short during dry spells, and this year is turning out to be exceptionally dry — leaving the grass slightly longer helps it cope with heat. Feeding with a summer fertiliser now will keep it lush but only use a high-quality fertiliser that has slow or controlled-release nitrogen otherwise you could scorch your stressed lawn further, if you are watering regularly you should be fine, an addition of a liquid biostimulant such as Seaweed will help strengthen the grass and soil.
If you fancy doing your bit for pollinators, leave a strip or patch of lawn to flower with clover and daisies — bees will thank you. And don’t forget to edge the borders; neat edges instantly lift the whole look of a lawn.
Beds & Borders
With borders bursting into life, keeping them happy means consistent care. Watering is essential, especially for newly planted areas, containers and hanging baskets. The trick is to water deeply in the early morning so moisture reaches the roots without sitting on the leaves overnight, which can cause mildew. Regular hoeing keeps weeds down — it’s quicker and easier if done little and often.
Staking tall plants now, while they’re still manageable, prevents them collapsing under their own weight later. And if you missed planting bedding plants in May, June is your last chance to fill gaps with colour. Petunias, begonias, and lobelia from the nursery will establish quickly and reward you all summer long.
Mulching the borders is a good way to reduce water loss and supress weeds, however the beds must have been watered beforehand, don’t mulch a dry flower bed.
Remove old Hellebore leaves, they’ll start to look awful now and are often infected with leaf spot, cut them off at ground level and burn or discard, don’t put them on the compost. Collect any seeds and sow them in a pot or tray and cover lightly with compost, place in a cold-frame or against a sheltered garden wall, pot on after germination.
Deadheading & Pruning
While considered tedious by many, deadheading really is the secret to a garden that keeps on giving. Snip away faded blooms from roses, delphiniums, phlox and bedding plants to encourage repeat flowering. Shrubs that flowered earlier in the year, such as lilac or philadelphus, can be pruned lightly now to keep them in shape for next season, keep deadheading repeat-flowering roses to keep the buds coming.
Pots & Pests
Pots and baskets look spectacular in June, but they’re thirsty — sometimes needing water twice a day in hot weather. Feed weekly with a liquid fertiliser to keep flowers coming.
The warmer weather also brings pests. Aphids, blackspot on roses, and mildew are all common now. Encourage ladybirds and hoverflies where you can, and use organic treatments when needed. A quick daily check around the garden is often all it takes to stop a small problem from becoming a big one.
Fruit & Veg Patch
The veg patch is a hive of activity. Tomatoes, beans, and courgettes need regular watering and feeding. Tomatoes in particular love consistency — erratic watering leads to split fruit. Salad crops can be sown little and often to keep a steady supply through summer. Strawberries are ripening, so protect them from slugs with straw or netting.
Wildlife Watch
With so much going on, wildlife is thriving too. Birds are feeding fledglings, bees are darting between blooms, and hedgehogs are busy hunting slugs. Keep bird baths topped up, and if you can, leave a corner of the garden a little wild for insects and small mammals.
Enjoying June
June gardening is about balance: a little weeding, watering, and deadheading, followed by time to sit back and enjoy the colour and life you’ve created. It’s the heart of summer — make sure you stop and savour it. Hope you enjoyed this short summary of gardening jobs, pop back for July’s gardening tips!
In case you missed it; Gardening in May…
Next in the series; July’s Gardening Tips….