June brings the longest day of the year and, hopefully, lots of warm weather that promotes huge amounts of growth on all types of plants from perennials to shrubs. It is considered the peak of the growing season of the year.
Flowering plants
Now the frosts have gone plant out your bedding plants (half-hardy annuals) to bring more colour into the garden. Pots, tub and hanging baskets can also be planted now. To reduce watering add swell jell,
Primulas (primroses) - this lovely group of perennials have finished flowering and now is a good time to lift and divide them if the clump is getting too big. Division can be by hand or carefully with forks.
Flag Iris can also be dived using just the new plump rhizomes. When replanting, plant in a sunny position with the rhizomes half exposed.
After flowering cut down long flower heads such as Digitalis (Foxgloves), Lupins, and Hollyhocks.
Shrub Pruning
Prune spring flowering shrubs, for example. Magnolia, these specimen shrubs can be shaped while crossing and diseased branches should be removed.
Forsythia looks great for a couple of weeks but has a tendency to get out of shape, so prune that too.
Fruit
Net up fruit cages to keep your soft fruits safe from birds.
Look out for Pest and Diseases.
Spray Roses every 2 weeks with a combined insecticide and fungicide. My favourite is Rose Clear; this keeps Roses looking healthy without black spot and aphid. However never spray in bright sunlight, leave it to the evening.
Keep on the top of weeding, trying to get the weeds when young. Annual weeds can be hoed; you can cover a large area of ground in a really sort time.
Lawns
Grass is growing very strongly and at a fast rate, so regularly cutting at least once a week is necessary to maintain a good-looking lawn. If broadleaf weeds are appearing in the lawn, a selective herbicide will control this problem. Most domestic weed killers are safe for children and pets when dry but always read the labels. Try and catch the weeds when small.
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