| June is a quiet
time in the garden as the first of winter is felt with dropping
temperatures, rain and frost but if the soil is sodden resist
any digging.
The need for feeding and watering plants is lessened as growth
slows down. However, new seedlings and plants battling against
the elements will appreciate a foliar feed as this helps strengthen
roots. June is a great time to plan for the following seasons.
KITCHEN GARDEN
Vegetables
• Improve soil in preparation for spring.
Apply a good dressing of dolomite lime.
• Build up soils with compost in preparation for planting
in August and September.
• Asparagus. Cultivate the beds when the ferns have
died down. Mix 2 parts dolomite to one part superphosphate
and one part blood and bone and scatter a good 2 handfuls
per square metre over the bed then cover with a thick layer
of compost or mulch.
• Brassicas nearing maturity will benefit from an application
of Thrive Soluble fertiliser.
• Sow broad beans (also available this month in seedling
punnets).
• Plant shallots and garlic.
• If soils are easy to work keep planting seedlings
of cabbage, cauliflower, borecole, celery, corn salad, onions,
peas, radish, silverbeet, spinach and turnip.
• Plant out well sprouted seed potatoes only if the
garden is free from frost.
• Rhubarb clumps can be refreshed by lifting and cutting
back to vigorous roots. Replant in soil enriched with well-rotted
animal manure and compost.
Fruit
• Start pruning stonefruit trees, as they are the first
to come into growth in spring.
• Prune only after the fruit buds have formed. A fruit
of flowering bud is fat and rounded, whereas leaf buds are
thin and pointed.
• Peaches and nectarines fruit on one year old wood
and will need shortening back to retain a manageable size.
• Pipfruit (apples, pears and quince fruit on two year
old spurs. Aim to thin out old, unnecessary wood to maintain
a good size and shape.
• Plums and damsons will crop well without any pruning
but if left to their own devices the fruit will form well
out of reach. Over-vigorous and upright branches should be
removed as well as dead or twiggy growth. Fruit is carried
on old wood so to avoid missing a season’s crop, prune
in stages over several seasons.
• Never prune during wet weather. Ensure secateurs and
loppers are sharp and clean.
• All deciduous fruit trees should be sprayed with Yates
Champion Copper and Conqueror Oil.
• Lime sulphur is an excellent spray to use at this
time of the year to rid deciduous trees (and roses) of lichen
and mosses, red spider mite and other over-wintering pests.
Spray at full strength – 100ml to 1.5 litres of water).
• Strawberries can be planted in prepared beds.
• N.B. Keep at least 2 weeks between spraying with Lime
Sulphur and Copper/Oil spray.
• Prepare planting positions for new trees due next
month. Incorporate compost and topsoil in the bottom of the
planting hole and leave exposed to aerate until ready for
planting.
ORNAMENTAL GARDEN
Roses
• Spray roses with copper and oil and/or lime sulphur
as above. Lime sulphur will precipitate leaf fall.
• Apply sulphur of potash to roses to harden canes in
preparation for pruning.
• Let roses develop hips.
• New seasons roses are available from the garden centre
this month to select and plant.
General
• Sow sweet peas in well-drained soil. Soak overnight
in tepid water.
• Plant seedlings of polyanthus, primula, pansy, calendula
and viola.
• A teaspoon per plant of dried blood will encourage
strong healthy primula and polyanthus.
• Plant out perennial primula and primroses.
• Perennial plants such as hostas can be lifted, divided
and planted into their new positions.
• There is a good selection of new season hellebores
to choose from and plant.
• Prune hydrangeas. Thin out spindly growth and cut
back strong growth to the second pair of buds low down on
the stems.
• Apply Aluminium Sulphate every two weeks to enhance
the colour of blue hydrangeas. Apply lime to red and pink
varieties.
• Plant out lily
bulbs.
LAWNS
• Growth has slowed down and the lawn will not need
to be cut so frequently.
• Only cut on dry, sunny days.
• If your lawn is struggling to survive because of competition
from tree roots or overhanging branches, consider using ground
covers which don’t mind the shade or poor soil i.e.
mondo grass, native leptinella, Corsican mint or pennyroyal.
• Watch out for large muddy patches appearing overnight
- you may have an infestation of porina.
Read more about ROSES
- planting and care - click here >>
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