June Gardening: Your Monthly Garden Guide
It may be Winter but…
There is still plenty to do in the garden this month, even if a chilly breeze is blowing and the sun isn’t giving much warmth. Early morning may be frosty but that soon burns off after sunrise. The days are often near-perfect for getting stuck into some of the garden jobs to be done now.
What to plant in June and other June gardening tips
There’s work to be done to prepare your garden for the winter ahead. Whatever your gardening plans this month – whether you’re growing your own fruit and veg, or planting roses for a spectacular summer display – choose a category below for our essential June gardening tips.
June is a surprisingly busy time in the fruit and vegetable garden. Your brassicas will need a bit of extra attention this month and you’ll find plenty of veggies to harvest. Over in the fruit patch, it’s the ideal time of year to plant fruit trees and bushes, so make sure you keep an eye out for some good deals.
Vegetables
What vegetables to plant in June
Winter is all about garlic planting! Traditionally it's planted on the shortest day of the year and harvested on the longest. But there are plenty of other vegetables to plant in June.
Cabbage, Bok choi, Garlic, Lettuce, Kale, Onion, Mesclun, Radish, Peas, Rosemary, Thyme.
Growing vegetables in June
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Keep veggie crops healthy and growing well with applications of a suitable fertiliser.
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Water deeply at least once a week if the weather is dry.
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In cold areas, add a layer of mulch over the soil to keep it warm and minimise effects of frost.
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If a severe frost occurs, hose plants off before sunrise to prevent burning of leaves.
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Hand pull or hoe out weeds as they appear – they compete for nutrients and moisture and may also harbour pests that could attack your crops.
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Use Scotts Quash Slug & Snail Killer or slug traps to protect plants and crops as they develop.
What vegetables to harvest in June
Some of the early autumn veggie plantings may be starting to crop now - look for tender Brussels sprouts, cabbages, kale and cauliflowers, silverbeet, spinach, mesclun, lettuce, cabbage, bok choi, broccoli, celery, onions, leek, parsley, radish, rocket and rhubarb.
Fruit
Can you plant fruit trees in June? Absolutely! In fact, it’s the ideal time of year to plant them. Make sure you carefully inspect the health of any trees before buying them and prepare the ground with compost and sheep pellets.
What fruit to plant in June
- Fruit trees and bushes can be bought all year round, but bare-root plants are intended for planting when the plant is dormant - in winter.
- From mid-month onwards, deciduous fruit trees will start appearing in garden centres and other gardening outlets. It's also still a good time to plant berries.
- Pear, Apple, Strawberry, Raspberry, Blueberry, Blackberry, Plum, Peach, Feijoa.
- Don’t forget to add compost or planting mix to your garden before planting your trees, and ensure that you backfill the hole deep enough with planting mix for the roots to have something to grow into.
- When buying canes of soft fruit, gently scratch the cane - it should be green under the bark – and make sure that the roots can be evenly spread.
What fruit to harvest in June
In cool and cold climates, most fruits are now in their dormant season, apart perhaps from a few late limes or lemons.
Flowers and Bulbs
What flowers and bulbs to plant in June
Bare-root roses are available this month. Prepare planting holes with a slight mound in the centre over which the roots should be spread. Check plants are put in no deeper than the soil mark on the stem - graft or bud unions should be well clear of the soil. Back-fill and water in well to settle soil around the roots. Don’t add fertiliser while the plants are dormant. Some further pruning after planting is recommended, despite having already been cut back.
The following flowers can also be planted in June:
Roses, Cyclamen, Calendula, Forget-me-nots, Polyanthis, Poppy, Flowering kale, Primula, Pansy, Sweet William, Snapdragon, Viola, Allysum, Tulip, Daffodil, Hyacinth.
Indoor plants June
- Plants inside the home assist in purifying the air as well as lending a touch of greenery to your living areas.
- Keep plants out of draughts and away from heaters and air conditioners that can dry the atmosphere.
- If your house is at a comfortable temperature for you, then it will be perfect for your plants too. Place a saucer or bowl of water near your plants to humidify the air.
- Keep leaves clean by wiping occasionally with a damp cloth (no detergents or oils, please!) to remove dust and dirt that can affect photosynthesis.
- Keep them growing well with ready to use Osmocote Pour+Feed Indoor Plants – no mixing required.
June lawn care
Over winter the lawn will benefit from a bit of TLC.
- If grassed areas stay wet after moderate to heavy rain, you may need to install a drainage system. See May’s notes for detail.
- Watch for moss in shady, moist areas of lawn. A solution of iron sulfate (30 grams in 4.5L of water) applied as a spray or with the watering will help control it. Re-apply if necessary.
- Apply a generous handful of garden lime per square metre a week or so after mowing, and allow rainfall to take it down into the soil. Don’t mow for at least a week or two after liming.
