Although June has brought a mix of sunshine and showers, many of us have still managed to enjoy some time in the garden. But with July just around the corner, there are a few important tasks you might want to tick off before the month ends, with experts urging you to get them done before July 1.
The urgent reminder comes as the Royal Horticultural Society, the UK’s leading gardening charity, lists three key things to take care of as June draws to a close.
1. Hanging baskets
The RHS say you should ensure that you have planted any flowers for your hanging baskets or other pots. They suggest: “Choose vibrant bedding plants for a summer show or herbs, shrubs and evergreens for a long-lasting display.”
2. Watering
They also urge you to use water wisely in order to keep your plants thriving. They explained: “Watering is key to growing plants well…if you haven’t already got a water butt, installing one is a great way to help the environment.
3. Tomatoes
Finally, in their key must-dos, they ask people to pinch out the sideshoots on tomatoes. “Removing the sideshoots is simple” they say, adding that “every time you water, check the plant for any shoots in the joint between the leaf and the stem.”
The RHS notes that tomato seeds are widely available from garden centres and a range of seed suppliers. Additionally, many retailers stock young tomato plants throughout spring and into early summer. In fact, when it comes to tomatoes, there are generally have two different ways of growing them. This includes:
Cordon (or indeterminate) tomatoes are vigorous, fast-growing plants that get very tall and need suitably tall supports, both in a greenhouse and outdoors. As they grow vertically, they take up very little ground space. But they need regular maintenance – watering, feeding, tying to supports and removing side-shoots
Bush (or determinate) tomatoes are naturally more compact plants, great for smaller spaces. Trailing types can also be grown in window boxes and hanging baskets, with the stems cascading over the sides. These are the easiest type to grow and need little maintenance apart from watering and feeding. The stems may need support when heavily laden with fruit
The RHS points out that starter plants offer a convenient solution for gardeners short on time or space to grow from seed, although they usually come in a more limited range of varieties. Grafted tomato plants have also grown in popularity, as they are typically more vigorous than standard seed-grown types. They often produce earlier and larger harvests, with better resistance to disease. However, they tend to be more expensive and are mainly available through a limited number of online retailers.
As well as these tips, the RHS have also listed another 7 things you can do in June. They suggest that you do the following:
- Harvest lettuce, radish, other salads and early potatoes
- Hoe borders regularly to keep down weeds
- Mow lawns once a week if needed – but consider leaving some areas uncut for wildlife
- Plant out summer bedding
- Stake tall or floppy plants
- Prune many spring-flowering shrubs
- Shade greenhouses to keep them cool and prevent scorch
