Gardening is a great activity for everyone to enjoy, no matter what size of an outdoor space you have access to. It even keeps you fit and it’s a great way to connect with nature, plus the rewards of a flowering garden can be really spectacular. As summer arrives and the days stretch longer, June is the perfect month to enjoy your garden in full bloom.
But to keep it looking vibrant and healthy through the warmer weather, a little regular maintenance goes a long way. Jane Fairlie, technical development manager at Doff Portland – a manufacturer of premium garden care products – shared essential gardening jobs to prioritise this month.
“Keep your garden looking its best by regularly deadheading spent flowers,” advises Jane.
“It’s a simple task that encourages repeat blooming and keeps displays looking fresh.”
Use your fingers or secateurs to remove faded, wilted or browning blooms to promote new growth and extend the flowering season.
Deadheading flowers that are dying off allows the plant to give more energy to any new buds – this works for violas or pansies for instance.
Gardeners World explained the process on their website: “There are several reasons why it’s a good idea to deadhead but the main one is that the practice often encourages a second flush of flowers to develop, so the plant uses its energy on the formation of new blooms rather than fruit and seed.
“This means you may have a more colourful garden for longer, with some plants blooming right until the first frosts.”
Other benefits to deadheading can be that foliage is protected from any mould that may develop if greenery is left.
Deheading can be time-consuming, but on a warm day, what could be nicer than spending some time in the garden carrying out this activity that will leave your plants in a much better state for the rest of the year.
Deadheading also prevents seed formation which will increase flowering on many plants in next year’s summer.
Gardener’s World experts also reported on their website that it prevents the “spread of prolific self-seeders like hellebores, lady’s mantle, aquilegias and poppies”.
There are some instances when it’s best not to deadhead. It’s crucial to remember that the inherent cycle of all plants is to reproduce, typically through the development of fruit or seeds.
This cycle has seen birds and mammals evolve alongside these plants, consuming their fruits and seeds. Certain species, particulary birds, play an active role in dispersing new plants.
Many birds and mammals depend on seeds, berries and other fruits for sustenance during autumn and winter. Therefore, it’s worth considering that deadheading could impact them, particularly if you reside in a city.
Almost all fruit-bearing and seeding plants, including roses, echinacea, lavender, teasel and sunflowers, offer food for birds and other wildlife.
