June

Winter is officially here, but there is still plenty to do: prep for spring crops, new rose bushes, and new fruit trees to be planted and get winter crops in the ground.

Key Points

  • Spray lawns with Yates Turfix to control broadleaf weeds, and Yates Surrender to get rid of moss.
  • Prune back shrubs that have finished flowering and feed with a fertiliser high in potash such as Rose fertiliser.
  • Lift and store dahlias and gladioli.
  • Plant Lily bulbs now.
  • Spray deciduous ornamental and fruit trees with Lime Sulphur. This stops lichen from growing and helps control overwintering diseases and insects.
  • Protect young seedlings from slugs and snails with Quash or Baysol snail pellets.

The Edible Garden

  • June is the month for planting garlic. Plant on the shortest day and harvest on the longest day of the year
  • Cabbage, cauliflower, Brussels Sprouts and other crops that are coming ready will benefit from an application of Thrive soluble plant food now to ensure strong, healthy vegetables.
  • Continue to sow Broad Bean seeds.
  • Shallots can also be planted out this month.
  • This is still a good time to plant out bare-rooted strawberry plants if you haven’t already done so.
  • Continue successional plantings of cabbage, cauliflower, spinach, silverbeet for late winter / early spring cropping.
  • In well-drained soils, Asparagus crowns can now be planted
  • This is a good month to plant citrus trees in warmer more temperate areas. Also, other deciduous trees can still be planted this month.
  • Spray existing fruit trees with a copper spray and conqueror oil to clean up any overwintering bugs and diseases so that spring growth will come out clean and healthy.
  • Watch out for slugs and snails and put Quash or Baysol slug pellets around as necessary.

The Flower Garden

  • Lift and divide large clumps of summer-flowering perennials such as cannas, asters, phlox. Plant smaller fresh new pieces – these will quickly grow into large plants in spring and summer.
  • The first of the new season’s roses will appear this month. Remember good soil preparation is the key to healthy roses. Dig in plenty of compost and a measure of slow-release plant food around the roots of each plant.
  • This is a good month to shift any shrubs, or small trees which you think are growing in the wrong place. Prune back first to keep top growth in proportion to the root ball. Firm in well in the new position and stake as necessary.
  • Roses and hydrangeas can be pruned now. There is still time to plant lily bulbs for summer flowers.
  • Plant seedlings of alyssum, pansy, poppy, polyanthus, primula, mini cyclamen, and lobelia.

The Lawn

  • Growth will now slow down.
  • Mark areas of poor drainage ready to fix when the ground is drier