Jobs for June
Following mixed spring weather, the season is a couple of weeks behind. But with warmer weather anticipated, it is still possible to get back on track and the recent rain has certainly helped replenish some of the water reserves and our garden water butts.
The weeds have taken full advantage of the wet weather in the beds and borders and also the lawns, so they will need dealing with as soon as possible to prevent them setting seed, if they haven’t already done so. After this has been done, below are some of the jobs that will need your attention.
- Apply a loose mulch to the soil as this will help to hold in the moisture and deter weed growth. Use bark, farmyard manure or a peat free compost
- Feed hellebores with a general fertiliser such as Fish Blood and Bone cut back to the ground.
- Straw or black polythene can be placed underneath strawberries to protect them from mud and slugs
- Cover ripening fruit with netting, this should protect them from birds
- Early potatoes should be ready to dig up
- Continue to hoe borders and beds to get rid of weeds. Always do this on a warm sunny day
- If there is a lot of sunshine, try to shade and ventilate your greenhouse. Also, water any plants inside it more frequently, ideally first thing in the morning or late evening
- If planted early tie in sweet peas
- Continue to spray roses if required to control black spot and mildew, try to do this in the evening to avoid harming bees
- Sheds, decking and fences can be given a coat of preservative or colour this month
- Dry weather can reduce the amount of food available for birds and hedgehogs, keep water bowls topped up and provide extra food.