What You Need to Do in the Garden in June
Living North's gardening expert Ross Pearson shares his advice on what needs to be done in the garden this month
Growth is no longer steady. It is enthusiastic to the point of mild chaos. You can almost hear it happening. One day a border looks perfectly arranged and the next it has doubled in size and is leaning enthusiastically into the path as if trying to join the conversation.
This is the point where the garden becomes immersive. You are no longer looking at it, you are in it. Plants brush against your arms as you walk past. Leaves appear where there was empty space yesterday. Flowers open with a level of confidence that suggests they have been waiting for this moment all year.
And the colours. June does not hold back. Everything is brighter, fuller, more expressive. It feels as though the garden has turned up the volume without asking permission. Of course, this is also when things get slightly out of hand.
You head outside with a clear idea of what needs doing and immediately become distracted by something far more interesting. A plant needs tying in. Another needs trimming. Something else has appeared entirely uninvited but looks so determined that you consider letting it stay. Time disappears. Lists become irrelevant. June has absolutely no interest in your schedule.
What it offers instead is a kind of joyful immersion. You find yourself completely absorbed, moving from one small task to another, noticing details you would have missed earlier in the year. A scent catches your attention. A flower combination looks unexpectedly perfect. A patch of the garden you had forgotten about suddenly looks like it has been carefully designed. It hasn’t. It’s simply grown.
June is generous in that way. It rewards attention but does not demand perfection. It invites you to join in, to keep up if you can, and to enjoy the sheer abundance of it all. This is the month where the garden feels less like a project and more like a place.
– Plant of the Month –
Roses
June belongs to roses. Not quietly, not modestly, but entirely and without apology. This is when they decide to show off.
Every garden with a rose suddenly becomes a place of scent and colour. Buds that have been patiently forming burst open into layers of petals that look almost too extravagant to be real. Some are soft and romantic, others bold and dramatic, but all of them demand attention.
And then there is the fragrance. It drifts through the garden in waves, sometimes subtle, sometimes impossible to ignore. You catch it unexpectedly as you pass by and find yourself stopping mid step to work out where it is coming from. It is one of the great pleasures of June, and one that never really loses its impact.
Roses also bring a certain sense of occasion. A single bloom feels special. A whole shrub in full flower feels like a celebration.
Planting
Roses prefer a sunny position with good air flow and rich soil. If planting new roses, give them space to develop and incorporate plenty of organic matter into the planting hole. They appreciate a good start and will reward you for it.
Care
Feed regularly during the growing season and keep an eye on watering, particularly in dry spells. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage further flowering. Check for pests and deal with them early before they become overly enthusiastic residents.
– In The Garden –
Deadhead Regularly
Removing faded flowers encourages many plants to keep producing new blooms. It also keeps the garden looking fresh and lively. A quick wander with a pair of secateurs can transform the appearance of a border in a surprisingly short time.
Water Thoughtfully
June can be warm and plants are growing quickly. Water deeply rather than little and often to encourage strong root systems. Early morning or evening is best. Midday watering tends to benefit very little except your sense of urgency.
Trim Hedges
Hedges put on strong growth now and benefit from a tidy. A neat hedge instantly sharpens the look of a garden and gives structure to all the surrounding enthusiasm.
Stake Tall Plants Again
Even if you supported plants earlier, check them now. Growth accelerates quickly and stems may need additional ties. It is far easier to adjust support than to deal with plants that have collapsed dramatically.
Feed Containers
Plants in pots rely entirely on you for nutrients. A regular liquid feed keeps them healthy and encourages continuous flowering. Containers that are fed well look noticeably happier.
Open Greenhouse Vents
Temperatures inside greenhouses can rise quickly. Good ventilation prevents overheating and keeps plants comfortable. It also stops you from stepping inside and immediately regretting your decision.
– In The Allotment –
Harvest Early Crops
June often brings the first real harvests. Radishes, early salads and young vegetables are ready to pick. There is something deeply satisfying about eating food you have grown yourself, even if it is only a handful.
Continue Succession Sowing
Keep sowing crops such as lettuce and herbs at intervals to maintain a steady supply. It prevents everything maturing at once and gives you a longer harvest period.
Support Climbing Crops
Beans and peas grow rapidly now and need guidance. Tie them in gently and ensure supports are secure. They will soon take over and create their own structure.
Thin Fruit
Fruit trees may set more fruit than they can support. Thin excess fruits to improve quality and prevent branches becoming overloaded. It feels counterintuitive but leads to better results.
Check for Pests Daily
Warm weather brings increased pest activity. A quick daily check helps catch problems early. It is far easier to deal with small issues than large ones that have settled in comfortably.
Keep Paths Manageable
Growth spills everywhere in June. Maintain clear paths so you can move easily around the plot. It makes working more enjoyable and prevents accidental trampling of crops.
June is the month where I stop pretending I am the head gardener and start accepting that the garden has its own ideas. I still make plans, of course, but they tend to be more like suggestions that the garden may or may not follow.
I spend a lot of time wandering about, noticing things that were not there yesterday. A flower has opened. A plant has leaned slightly in a new direction. Something smells unexpectedly wonderful. It is impossible not to get drawn in.
There is also a sense that everything matters less in June in the best possible way. If something does not go quite to plan, there is always something else looking good nearby. The garden is generous enough to distract you from your own mistakes.
By the end of the month, I usually feel slightly behind, a little untidy, and entirely content. The garden is full, busy, and completely alive. It does not need perfection. It just needs attention and a willingness to join in. And that is exactly what June invites you to do.
