Recommended tasks and hints for the month of June

Its the end of the month - and a timely reminder of gardening hints tips and tasks for the month of June:

- Support Delphiniums, hollyhocks and other tall perennials - Apply nitrogen rich feed to lawns if looking pale and sparse - Start giving pots a liquid feed 6 weeks after planting unless you have mixer in a slow release fertiliser - Trim hedges of privet, honeysuckle and leylandii every month during the summer - Damp down the greenhouse floor to keep the atmosphere moist. Keep well ventilated, too

As we are likely to experience drought conditions here are some tips on watering in general:

Most vegetables have a critical stage where watering will improve crops markedly. Fruiting crops such as peas, beans, and sweetcorn respond best to water; apply 25 litres per square meter every 10 days in their flowering period Root crops and onion family are least reliant on extra water so should have the lowest priority. Potatoes are the exception: watering these at flowering time will greatly increase the numbers of tubers. Subsequent watering in dry spells will boost tuber size. Leafy vegetables: lettuces and cabbages ideally need a constant supply of water throughout their growth. Where this is not possible applying 25 litres per square meter 10 - 20 days before intended harvest will produce significant improvement in crops.

Happy Gardening!