June is the time of year when even the most neglected gardens start to come into their own. As we near the longest day of the year, plants (and weeds!) are growing quickly in our gardens. Here are the top 13 tasks for London gardens in June:
- Lower height of lawn mower and mow lawns weekly.
- Edge your lawn: If you don’t have time for any other job this month, edging your lawn with a half moon tool will make your garden look much better.
- Hoe over flowerbeds and gravel paths to keep weeds at bay.
- Prune spring flowering shrubs like spiraea, choisya, camellia, deutzia and philadelphus.
- Box Caterpillar treatment and replacement: Unfortunately box caterpillar has infected most of the gardens we serve in Belsize Park, Hampstead, Maida Vale and St John’s wood, and we’re starting to see it in gardens in Highgate and Muswell Hill as well. Where the moths can’t be controlled and box has been infested, unfortunately the RHS recommends digging up and replacing.
- Train and deadhead roses: Now that roses are in peak bloom, cut back brown heads to a bud or leaf below to promote new buds and growth. Climbing and rambling roses will be growing rapidly this month so make sure to tie them in to horizontal position regularly.
- Plant out summer bedding: Now that the risk of frost has (mostly) past, it’s time to plant out summer bedding and hanging baskets.
- Stake and tie in plants like dahlias. Even better, install metal supports that they can grow through, which will provide the best support for future growth.
- Deadhead Hardy and half-hardy annuals, which benefit from deadheading as will perennials like lupins and delphiniums. As flowers go over, deadheading can result in second (or more) flowerings.
- Mulch: If you didn’t mulch in autumn or spring, now is a good time to do so.
- Keep an eye out for aphids on susceptible plants like roses and lupins. Spray with soap-based insecticide if needed.
- Water containers and baskets: Nature rarely provides enough water for plants/flowers in containers at this time of year so make sure you either have an automatic irrigation system set up or that you regularly water your containers.
- Prune evergreen hedging: We advise waiting until the end of June to cut back evergreen hedging to make sure wildlife is left in peace for as long as possible.