Grow Your Own - June Jobs

As we welcome the start of June, it's time to take a closer look at our gardens and allotments to see what needs tending to. For many keen gardeners and growers, this is the month when their hard work and dedication truly begins to pay off. With the summer months fast approaching, now is the perfect time to assess your garden's needs and begin planting for the season ahead. Whether you're an experienced grower or just starting out, there are plenty of tasks to keep you busy this June. So, let's get started and dive into our top tips for growing your own this month.

Preparing for summer growth
June is an exciting time in the garden as we start to see the results of our hard work and preparations earlier in the year. To ensure that your vegetable garden or veg plot continues to thrive in the warmer weather, there are a few essential garden jobs you'll need to keep on top of. Feeding, watering and providing support for plants should be at the top of your to-do list.

Now is also an excellent time to get busy sowing and planting vegetables and fruit. Sow quick-maturing salad crops, such as lettuce and radish, directly in the soil. If you're looking for a new project, why not try sowing summer carrots, courgettes or beans?

When it comes to fruit, planting out strawberry runners is an excellent way to propagate new plants and give existing ones more room to grow. It's also the ideal time to start pruning and training your fruit trees and bushes, so they grow in the desired direction.

In addition to planting and sowing, don't forget about the general care that both your fruit and vegetables will require over the coming weeks. Make sure to keep them well-watered, especially during hot spells, and use liquid feeds to encourage strong growth.

June is also a time for harvest, and there are many fruits and vegetables that are ready for picking. Cherries, strawberries, raspberries and gooseberries are just a few of the delicious fruits that can be harvested this month. In terms of vegetables, you can look forward to overwintered broad beans, lettuces, cauliflowers and spring onions.

Finally, to keep your garden running smoothly, you'll want to maintain your garden equipment. Keep your secateurs, loppers and other tools in good condition, sharpening and oiling them when necessary.
With so many summer garden jobs to tackle in June, your garden is sure to thrive and produce an abundance of delicious fruit and vegetables for months to come.

Sowing Seeds and Planting Out in June
June is the month to continue sowing salad crops such as beetroot, lettuce, pak choi, and radish. Additionally, you can also sow French and runner beans, peas, squash, sweetcorn, and outdoor cucumbers directly into prepared beds outside. Note that runner beans need well-prepared ground and suitable supports to grow successfully.

In southern areas, it is still not too late to sow courgettes, marrows, and pumpkins outdoors in early June. You can also sow calabrese, turnips, and kohl rabi now for an autumn crop. Remember to start treating potatoes and tomatoes against blight to protect your crops from this fungal disease.
Early June is the ideal time to plant out celeriac and celery. You can also plant outdoor ridge cucumbers early this month. Vegetables that were sown indoors earlier in the season, such as winter brassicas and sweet peppers, can now be planted out in your garden. To make the most of the space in your garden, consider planting quick-maturing catch crops in gaps between winter brassica plants.

Lastly, if you have previously sown artichokes under cover, you can now plant them out in your garden. June is also a great time to harvest early crops such as lettuce, radish, and beetroot. So get your gardening gloves on and enjoy the bountiful produce your garden has to offer. Happy planting!

General care
In June, there are a number of important tasks to ensure the healthy growth of your fruits and vegetables. Firstly, if you are growing pot-grown fruit, it's time to change the feed to a high potassium liquid one. This will encourage strong growth and the development of fruit.

If you're growing strawberries, it's time to peg down any runners and remove cloches from outdoor strawberries once they've cropped. This will ensure that the plants can grow freely and receive plenty of sunlight and air.
Blueberries, cranberries, and lingonberries need regular watering with rainwater, but use tap water if the butts run dry. These plants thrive in moist soil, so make sure to water them consistently.

Indoor melons also need plenty of water and nutrients, so be sure to feed them daily once they're established and plant them in growing bags in a heated greenhouse.

When it comes to pests and diseases, avoid using insecticides on crops when they're in flower. This can harm pollinators, which are essential for fruit production. Instead, use natural pest control methods such as companion planting and biological controls.

Make sure that your fruits aren't drought-stressed, especially in containers, against a wall, or newly planted. Keep them well-watered and consider mulching around the base to retain moisture.

For vegetables like ridge cucumbers, feed them with a liquid tomato feed according to the instructions given. Peas also need support in the form of pea sticks, netting, or pruned garden twigs.

It's important to earth up maincrop potatoes to protect them from frost and encourage the growth of more tubers.

Lastly, it's crucial to hoe between rows on hot days to dry out and kill any weeds without re-rooting. And be sure to water tomatoes and peppers regularly to prevent blossom end rot, a common problem during periods of drought.
In terms of what to sow in June, there are still plenty of options such as beetroot, carrots, kale, and lettuce. And when it comes to what to harvest in June, you can enjoy early crops such as peas, radishes, and lettuce. Happy gardening!

Pruning and training fruit trees
In June, it's important to take care of your fruit trees to ensure a bountiful harvest in the upcoming months. Here are some essential pruning and training tasks to complete:

Firstly, keep an eye out for suckers around the base of your fruit trees. These should be pulled off as soon as possible to prevent them from taking energy away from the main tree.

Next, pinch prune figs to keep them compact and encourage more fruiting branches.

For pears, plums, peaches, nectarines and apricots, thinning is crucial to ensure good-sized fruit. Remove any excess fruit and leave only one or two per cluster.

Apples should also be thinned at the end of the month to allow remaining fruit to grow to a decent size.

Train in new shoots of blackberries and hybrid berries, tying them onto supports and removing any that grow in unwanted directions.
Summer pruning is essential for red and white currants and gooseberries. Remove any unwanted shoots and trim back the remaining ones to encourage fruiting.

If you have newly planted raspberry canes, once new shoots appear, shorten them to around 4 inches. This will encourage the growth of strong lateral shoots which will bear fruit the following year.

Finally, for kiwifruit and indoor grapes, summer pruning is essential to keep the plants in shape and encourage fruiting. Thin out the fruit of indoor grapevines if you want to produce large dessert grapes.

Taking care of your fruit trees in June is vital for ensuring a healthy and productive harvest later in the year. So, take the time to carry out these essential pruning and training tasks to set yourself up for success!

Harvesting early crops
June is a great month for harvesting early crops in your garden. From strawberries to salad leaves, there are a range of crops that you can start to enjoy in early summer.

If you planted potatoes earlier in the year, now is the time to harvest the first early varieties such as ‘Rocket’ and ‘Foremost’. You can tell when they’re ready by the foliage turning yellow and dying back. Carefully dig them up and leave them to dry out in the sun for a day before storing them in a cool, dark place.
Another crop that is ready to be harvested in June is rhubarb. Pull the stems by grasping them at the base and gently twisting and pulling upwards. Don’t cut them with a knife as this can lead to rotting. Rhubarb is great for making crumbles, pies and jams.

You can also start to harvest your early salad crops such as lettuce, rocket, and radish. Cut them as needed, leaving the roots in the ground so they can continue to produce more leaves. This will give you a steady supply of fresh greens throughout the summer.

Finally, don’t forget about your strawberry plants. These will start to produce fruit in June, and it’s important to harvest them regularly to encourage more fruit to grow. Pick them when they are fully ripe and red all over.
Harvesting your early crops is a great way to enjoy the fruits of your labour. Just remember to pick them at the right time and store them correctly to ensure they last as long as possible.

Dealing with pests and diseases
As with any growing season, pests and diseases can pose a significant threat to your crops. Here are some common pests and diseases to look out for in June:

• Asparagus beetles and their larvae - keep an eye out for them and remove any you see.
• Pinching out the top of broad beans once the lowest flowers have set can help prevent aphid attacks.
• Flea beetles can damage brassicas.
• To ward off carrot fly, cover your plants with a fine woven plastic mesh like Enviromesh.
• Slugs are a threat, especially to newly-planted seedlings. Use slug controls to protect your plants.
• Pick yellowing leaves off brassicas promptly to prevent spread of grey mould and brassica downy mildew.
• Damping off of seedlings can be a problem both outside and in containers.
• Red spider mite, whitefly, codling moth, plum moth, and raspberry beetle are all pests to deal with.
• Net cherries against birds and keep protection in place for all soft fruit.
• Look out for shothole on tree fruit, especially stone fruit - a sign of possible disease infection.

By being vigilant and taking these preventative measures, you can protect your crops and enjoy a bountiful harvest.

Maintaining your garden equipment
As well as taking care of your plants, it's important to ensure that your gardening equipment is in good condition too. Maintaining your tools not only makes them last longer but can also improve the quality of your gardening. Here are a few things you should do to keep your garden equipment in top condition:

Clean and oil your tools
After use, make sure to clean your tools and remove any dirt or debris. This helps to prevent rust and corrosion. You can use a stiff brush and soapy water for this task. Once you've cleaned them, dry them off with a cloth and add a thin layer of oil to prevent rust.

Blades should be sharpened regularly, particularly if they're used on tougher plants. A blunt blade can make it difficult to cut through stems and may even cause damage to your plants. Use a sharpening stone to sharpen the blades, and take care to follow the correct angle for each tool.

Replace damaged parts
If any of your gardening equipment has damaged parts, it's important to replace them as soon as possible. Broken or damaged tools can cause injuries or damage your plants. Keep an eye out for wear and tear, and replace parts as needed.

Once you've finished using your tools, store them in a dry place to prevent rust. You can use a shed or garage, or even a tool storage box. Avoid leaving them out in the rain or damp weather, as this can cause rust and damage.
By taking care of your gardening equipment, you'll not only improve your gardening experience but also make your tools last longer. Spend a little time maintaining your equipment, and you'll be rewarded with a garden that thrives.