June marks the true arrival of summer in the UK garden. Days are long, the soil is warm, and growth is often at its peak. It’s the perfect time to enjoy the fruits of your spring efforts and stay on top of essential maintenance to keep your garden flourishing.

Planting and Sowing

Now is the time to plant out summer-flowering bedding plants and tender crops with confidence. Marigolds, petunias, cosmos, and dahlias can all go into beds, borders, and containers. Direct sow fast-growing vegetables like beetroot, lettuce, and radishes for continuous harvests.

Continue planting out courgettes, sweetcorn, beans, and tomatoes if you haven't already. Keep a close eye on watering, especially during hot or dry spells—newly planted crops and flowers are particularly vulnerable.

Soil Care and Mulching

If you haven’t already mulched your beds, it’s not too late. Applying organic mulch helps retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil quality—vital as the weather heats up. Keep borders weed-free and consider hoeing regularly to disrupt weed seedlings.

Supporting and Training

Support is essential as plants reach their full height. Stake tall perennials like delphiniums and foxgloves, and tie in climbers such as clematis, honeysuckle, and climbing roses as they continue to grow rapidly. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage prolonged flowering.

Lawn Care

June is a key month for lawn maintenance. Mow weekly and adjust the height of the cut during dry spells to avoid stressing the grass. Water deeply but infrequently to encourage deep roots. Apply a summer lawn feed if growth is slowing or the colour is fading.

Fruit and Vegetable Maintenance

Strawberries are ripening—net them to protect from birds and remove runners unless you're propagating. Continue to earth up potatoes and thin out any crowded vegetable seedlings. Feed fruiting crops with a high-potash fertiliser to support healthy development.

Keep an eye on greenhouse crops too—ventilation and regular watering are crucial. Remove side shoots from cordon tomatoes and pinch out the growing tips once five or six trusses have set.

Pests and Diseases

Warmer weather brings increased pest activity. Watch for aphids, caterpillars, mildew, and rust. Deal with issues early using organic or biological controls where possible. Slugs and snails remain a threat—especially around young seedlings and hostas.

Garden Structures and General Upkeep

Check trellises, supports, and plant ties to ensure everything is secure. Clean and refresh pots, hanging baskets, and garden furniture if you haven’t already. Re-pot container plants if roots are congested and top up with fresh compost and feed.

Plan and Enjoy

Take time to enjoy your garden and note any gaps in colour or structure you’d like to fill. June is still a good time to plant perennials, ornamental grasses, and summer bulbs like lilies and gladioli for late-season interest.

Final Thoughts

June is one of the most rewarding months in the garden—lush, colourful, and full of promise. Stay consistent with watering, feeding, and monitoring for pests, and your outdoor space will continue to thrive. Whether you're harvesting home-grown veg, relaxing with a book, or planning your next project, June offers plenty of reasons to love your garden.

Happy gardening!