As the summer season arrives with the onset of June, it’s time for gardening enthusiasts across Britain to get their green thumbs working and spruce up their gardens. LeAnne Samuelson, a gardening expert, suggests that a few well-timed tasks this month could set the stage for the most vibrant and flourishing garden of the season.
From transforming your roses into an eye-catching spectacle to giving hydrangeas a head start for the following year, there are numerous ways to make your outdoor space flourish. LeAnne, from Prestige Botanicals, has revealed five crucial gardening tasks you should prioritise in June if you’re aiming for lush results by July.
Five essential gardening tasks to sort in June for splendid results in July
Encourage roses to climb with smart tying techniques
Roses continue to be relevant this month and it’s not too late to provide them with the support they require. LeAnne advises planting potted roses if you haven’t done so already and, more importantly, securing new growth from climbers and ramblers to trellises or fences.
“Tying in the young stems now helps guide the plant’s shape and encourages more blooms,” she stated. “Roses bring elegance and drama to any garden and June is an ideal time to help them reach their full potential.
“Choose soft ties and spread the stems out laterally rather than letting them grow straight up, which helps promote flowering rather than just height.”
Propagate hydrangeas with softwood cuttings
For those who already have hydrangeas in their gardens, June is an ideal time to propagate new plants. This can be done by taking softwood cuttings, a simple and rewarding task that can produce brand-new plants.
Using clean, sharp secateurs, cut around 10cm from a healthy, non-flowering shoot just above a leaf joint.
“Strip the bottom leaves, then dip the cut end in rooting hormone to give it the best start,” LeAnne advised. “Plant it into a fresh, moist potting mix and place it somewhere shaded but bright. Keep the cuttings cool and slightly damp until roots take hold.
“These cuttings can be a cost-free way to fill out your beds or share with fellow garden lovers later in the season.”
Monitor watering needs
As the days get warmer and rainfall becomes less reliable, watering becomes a daily consideration. However, it’s not about splashing water around indiscriminately.
Checking the soil first is crucial. If the surface is still moist, hold off to avoid soggy roots or yellowing leaves.
“Pay close attention to container plants and hanging baskets, especially during heatwaves,” LeAnne explained. “These dry out faster than beds and borders. While cooler temperatures might only call for watering every few days, a hot spell will mean topping them up daily.
“Be sure to adjust your routine when it rains, too. Overwatering can be just as damaging as forgetting to water at all.”
Citrus trees need a summer break too
As we embrace the warmer days of June, it’s time to let your indoor citrus trees taste the fresh air once again. Citrus plants thrive in the balmy conditions that June often provides.
“To boost humidity, place the pot on a tray of gravel with water just below the surface,” suggested LeAnne. “As the water evaporates, it will create a more tropical microclimate around the plant.
“You can also mist the leaves in the early morning on particularly hot days, mimicking their natural growing conditions and helping prevent leaf curl or dryness.”
June is also the perfect month for deadheading – a task that might slip your mind but is crucial for maintaining vibrant flower beds.
LeAnne explained: “It’s a quick job you can do as you wander around with your morning coffee. Just pinch or snip off dead flowers from plants like geraniums, cosmos, lupins and roses. Not only does it improve appearance, it actually encourages the plant to keep flowering.
“If left alone, many plants naturally start to slow their blooming cycle after flowering once. But by keeping on top of deadheading through June, you can often enjoy a second flush of flowers well into July or even August.”