Summer In Your Garden

 June is traditionally the time to plant out bedding plants which are so much part of an English summer. Even with our unpredictable weather by June it is safe to plant bedding with no risk of frost. Safe to say there is no risk of frost, but the weather can still surprise us.

There are so many marvellous combinations to make a great bedding display, traditional pastels combining Pelargoniums, Lobelia and petunias; single planting schemes such as the French Marigolds, grasses and dahlias, even tumbling tomatoes, the list is endless. Hanging baskets and tubs dry out quickly and water retaining gel can be helpful to help retain moisture, combined with a mulch on the top if the planting arrangement is suitable.

Easy to grow Bedding plants include Geranium, Nasturtium, and schemes which combine some perennials such as Lavender and grasses with bedding plants. Gardening is a choice; for some it wouldn’t be summer without baskets brimming with bedding, for others it’s a chore too far.

Dead heading both annual and perennial plants is always worthwhile. The removal of spent flowers from the plant prolongs the flowering season.

This is a safe time to prune shrubs which have already flowered, or may have flowered depending on the aspect of your garden. 

The garden is frost free by June, which means it is safe to plant out all remaining veg. Plant out Peas, Beans of all types, salad crops, rocket, carrots, everything not yet planted out including the more tender of crops such as courgettes, squashes, cucumbers, French beans and Tomatoes, provided your garden offers shelter for the more tender crops.