JUNE IN THE GARDEN – with NICKY MARSHALL
June is a very busy month with lawns having to be mown at least once a week The optimum height advised is ½” as shorter than this can lead to a build up of moss.
We will be starting to clip box now. Traditionally this was done after Derby Day (which used to be the first Wednesday in June) but really it is to do with the fact that we should now be past the risk of frosts.
All the roses are flowering beautifully now but do remember to dead head those types which repeat or continuously flower as this encourages new blooms.
It’s been a great month for Irises, so once they have finished flowering, dead head them and give them a feed of Sulphate of Potash. They can also be divided now if necessary. This decreases the flowering for next year as they tend to sulk so perhaps just do a few this year and the rest next year.
There is going to be a Produce Show as part of the Village Fun Day is September (see the website for more details) so get planting/sowing now. Dahlias can be planted out now that all chance of frost has gone and all the annual bedding plants can safely go out too.
10 Tips for June
Dead head roses
Feed spent Irises
Keep containers well watered
Tidy Alliums by cutting back the foliage
Plant Courgettes
Clip Box
Mow grass which had Spring bulbs in it.
Keep an eye out for Aphids, try not to use too many chemicals as they are food for insects such as Ladybirds.
Plant out Dahlias
Sow Fennel seeds