As we bid farewell to spring and welcome the summer season, it’s clear that someone forgot to inform the weather. Despite this, the anticipation of sunny skies and backyard barbecues has us all eager to get our gardens in tip-top shape for the warmer months.
Some tasks are more pressing than others. Garden gazebo expert at Gazeboshop, Samantha Richards, has highlighted the gardening chores that should be tackled this month. She offers seven tasks for gardening enthusiasts to dive into.
Tie in new stems of climbing and rambling roses to supports
If you thought you’d missed your chance to plant vibrant blooms this year, fear not. Roses can still be planted from pots during June,.
These flowers not only add a touch of elegance but also a burst of colour to your garden. Now is the perfect time to tie in new stems of climbing and rambling roses to supports, promoting growth and an abundance of flower heads.
Take softwood cuttings of hydrangeas
For those who already have hydrangeas in their garden, June is the prime time to take some softwood cuttings to propagate even more of these plants. Hydrangeas are a delightful addition to any outdoor space and can be used to brighten up and fill out borders and beds.
To take a cutting, start with a pair of clean, sharp pruning shears and snip off around 10cm of a new, non-flowering shoot just above where it connects to the stem. Remove lower leaves from the cutting and, for the best results, dip the bottom of your cutting into a rooting hormone before placing it in a clean pot with fresh soil.
Keep them cool, moist and out of direct sunlight until you’re ready to replant.
Summer bedding
In preparation for summer, you can still plant some vibrant summer flowers in pots and along borders during June. Geraniums, sweetpeas, pansies and marigolds can all be planted from seed, or for less work, from sprouted plugs.
Don’t forget to water your new additions regularly. You should also pinch off the tops while they are young to yield even bigger blooms.
Water container displays and hanging baskets
When the weather starts to warm up again throughout June, it’s important to keep an eye out on your water container displays and hanging baskets, being sure to water them regularly. If the temperatures are milder, this can be every few weeks but during hot spells, it’s likely to be every day.
Remember to skip rainy days to avoid over-watering.
Build a watering habit
It’s not just hanging baskets that should be getting some daily TLC this month. Outdoor plants in your garden also need watering daily but always check the soil first!
As spring showers transition into summer, the unpredictable British weather might have already done the watering job for you – over-watering can lead to wilting plants.
It’s time to move citrus fruits outdoors
If you’ve been nurturing citrus fruits indoors, now is the perfect time to move them outside. These plants thrive in humid conditions.
To create this during warmer weather spells, place the citrus tree on large saucers filled with gravel and a water level just below the gravel. As the water begins to evaporate, it will generate humidity around your tree – misting in the early morning is also suggested on particularly hot days.
Don’t overlook houseplants
While your focus may be primarily on outdoor gardening at this time of year, don’t forget about your indoor plants. Even if they’re not in direct sunlight, the soil is likely drying out due to the warmer weather and longer daylight hours.
This month, inspect the soil of your houseplants a couple of times a week and water as necessary. Some houseplants are also susceptible to dust accumulation, so regular cleaning will keep them looking their best.