It's nearly the height of summer (already!) and now is the time to celebrate in the wonders of your outdoor space. Whether it's reaping the delicious rewards of vegetable crops or basking under beautiful blooms, above all else June is the month to sit back and relish your all hard work.
There are always gardening jobs to keep busy with, though, if you so wish, so we've broken down our top four things to focus on in your garden this month... and they're not too strenuous, we promise!
And for garden tasks to keep you busy all year round, check out all our previous monthly gardening jobs lists!
Things to do in the garden in June
Show off perennials
Perennials are the backbone of any beautiful garden but it’s during June that they make the biggest impact. Such is their versatility that no matter what soil type or aspect your garden offers, there will be a wide selection of perennials suitable for these conditions.
And it’s always worth adhering to the old adage ‘right plant, right place’ because plants will perform well and live longer if they are getting the right amount of light, nutrients and moisture they require to keep them in good health.
Claire Austin of the award-winning nursery Claire Austin Hardy Plants has over 30 years’ experience growing herbaceous perennials and only sells varieties she feels are worthy of a position in the garden as well as being reliable growers.
Three of Claire’s top picks include the stalwarts, Alchemilla mollis, Sedums and Knautia macedonica. For eye-catching focal points, she recommends including Hybrid Herbaceous Peonies and Bearded Iris, of which she holds the National Collections. While they may not flower over a long period, their unique beauty is something to look forward to each year.
Gardening inspiration
Grow less-hardy vegetables
With the arrival of June comes the departure of frosty nights, making it safe to grow tender vegetables such as tomatoes, courgettes and runner beans outside.
The same applies to bedding plants for window boxes, hanging baskets and containers. If they have been started off in a greenhouse or heated conservatory, acclimatise them to outdoor conditions by putting them outside for a few hours each day for about a week.
Sow biennials
This is also the month to sow seeds of biennials such as wallflowers, hollyhocks, foxgloves and honesty. These will flower in the spring of 2022, and will be well worth the wait.
Enjoy the view!
More than anything, June is the time to sit back and enjoy your garden handiwork. Yes, there are always jobs to do, but don't forget to sit back with a cuppa and enjoy the view!
Words by Louise Midgley
This is a digital version of a feature that originally appeared in Your Home magazine. For more inspirational home ideas, why not subscribe today?
