Colourful flowers, thriving veg… Adam Kirtland gets the blooming party underway as he celebrates a garden in full swing with his June top tips
June has arrived, and with it the garden shifts into overdrive. The days are long, the warmth is more reliable, and growth is almost unstoppable. Flowers are blooming, veg is thriving, and it finally feels like summer is truly here. After the hustle and preparation of spring now is the time to nurture, tend and, most importantly, enjoy.
While some jobs slow down, there’s still plenty to do. Tender plants are settling in, borders need attention to keep looking their best, and the veg garden is demanding regular care. With a little time and attention, your garden will reward you handsomely. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and make the most of June.
Pinching Out and Supporting Dahlias
If your dahlias are in the ground and growing strongly, now is the moment to help them become bushier and bloom more generously. Pinch out the growing tips when they reach around 30cm tall – this encourages branching and a much fuller plant. It might feel counterproductive, but you’ll get more flowers in the long run.
Support is just as crucial. By now, dahlias are shooting up quickly, and a good staking system will prevent damage from wind or heavy rain. Bamboo canes and soft twine work well, or invest in purpose-made supports for a neater look. Keep up with fortnightly feeding and regular watering, especially in dry spells – they’re thirsty plants once they get going!
Deadheading and Summer Colour
With borders bursting into bloom, June is all about maintenance. Deadheading – removing spent flowers – is key to keeping plants flowering for longer. Roses, cosmos, marigolds and sweet peas all benefit from this simple job. It also stops plants wasting energy on seed production.
This is also a great time to plug any gaps in your borders. Garden centres are full of flowering perennials and bedding plants ready to go. Geraniums, salvias and rudbeckias will slot in beautifully and provide instant impact. Don’t forget to water them in well and mulch around them to conserve moisture and keep weeds at bay.
Caring for Courgettes and Tomatoes
June sees a boom in vegetable growth, and two stars of the show – courgettes and tomatoes – need regular attention. For courgettes, keep picking young fruits to encourage more to form. They’re prolific producers and regular harvesting stops them turning into marrows overnight! A weekly liquid feed will help boost their output.
Tomatoes, especially cordon varieties, should be side-shooted – that is, pinching out the leafy shoots that appear in the leaf joints. This keeps the plant focused on producing fruit rather than getting too leafy. Tie them in to their supports as they grow and make sure they’re getting a consistent water supply to avoid problems like blossom end rot.
A mulch around your veg plants will help lock in moisture and reduce watering needs. If you’re growing under cover, ventilate greenhouses well in hot weather to avoid heat stress and fungal issues.
Final Thoughts
June is a month of abundance, colour and progress in the garden. With longer evenings and warmer weather, it’s the perfect time to lose yourself in the joy of gardening. Whether it’s pinching out dahlias, topping up borders or tending to your crops, a little effort now goes a long way.
Most of all, remember to enjoy it. Sit with a cuppa and watch the bees go about their business, breathe in the scent of the roses, and take pride in what you’ve created. Summer has truly arrived, so let’s savour every minute of it. Happy gardening!
For lots more top tips, advice and ideas – make sure to follow Adam on Instagram and TikTok where you’ll find him as @viewfromthepottingbench on both.