June Gardening Tips & Advice

As soon as they start to flower early potatoes should be ready to harvest, usually around 10 weeks after planting.

Early summer flowering shrubs such as Weigela, Kolkwitzia and Philadelphus can be pruned after their flowers fade; older plants can be rejuvenated by cutting some of the old stems back to near ground level.

If not already done Tomato plants can be planted outside now, to help deter pests consider planting a few strongly scented French Marigolds in-between them.

Allow around five fruits to form on each Aubergine plant then remove any more side shoots and flowers for the best quality crop.

Now is a good time to trim or reshape evergreen Keep any newly planted subjects well-watered in dry weather to give them a good start and prevent failures.

Deadhead and keep any tubs and baskets well fed and watered to keep them flowering and growing well throughout the summer.

After the first truss of Tomatoes has set feed the plants regularly with a high potash fertilizer to ensure a heavy crop.

Deadhead Lupins as soon as the first flowers start to set seed this will encourage more flowers from lower down the plant.

Hoe borders to help keep weeds down, mulching around plants will help reduce the need for this and will also help retain moisture.

Keep a regular eye out for pests and diseases catching and treating them early will help prevent large infestations becoming a problem.

Cut back oriental poppies back to ground level when they have finished flowering to encourage fresh new growth.

Remove side-shoots from cordon tomatoes and start feeding with a high potash feed when the first truss has set.

Brassicas and leeks can be sown directly in the ground this month for a winter harvest.

Fruit trees have a natural drop in June but may still need thinning to produce larger better fruit and prevent branches snapping

Reduce the damage of Codling moths on Apples by hanging pheromone traps in trees.

When the leaves of spring bulbs turn yellow any congested clumps can be lifted and divided to keep them flowering well.