June in the garden: enjoy it, but keep an eye on water
A practical monthly guide for gardens across Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.
June is when much of the work done earlier in the year starts paying off. Borders are filling out, roses are flowering and the garden is beginning to feel like summer.
The main job now is keeping things going.
Help new plants establish
New plants need particular attention if the weather turns dry. Their roots are still establishing, so even plants that will eventually cope perfectly well without watering may need help through their first summer.
When you do water, water properly. Give the ground a good soak and then leave it. Frequent light watering encourages roots to stay near the surface.
Support plants and keep flowers coming
Tall perennials may need staking before summer rain or wind flattens them. Doing it early always looks better than trying to rescue a plant once it is already on the ground.
Deadheading becomes worthwhile too. Removing finished flowers from roses and many perennials encourages more flowers and keeps beds looking fresh.
Notice how you use the garden
June is also a good month to stop working for a moment and look at the garden.
- Where do you naturally sit?
- Which parts do you ignore?
- Where does the evening sun fall?
- Is there enough shade?
- Does the garden work when you actually use it?
Those observations are often more useful than another list of plants to buy.
A good garden is not just something to maintain. By June it should be somewhere you want to spend time.
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