Seven gardening jobs for June – including when to water and how to take cuttings

As the final day of spring slowly creeps into view, the countdown is on to get your garden looking prepped and ready in time for the long-awaited summer months.

June means longer days and (hopefully!) warmer weather, beckoning gardeners outside to spend more time among the foliage. It’s a critical period for growth and bloom, and with it comes a host of tasks to ensure your plants thrive through summer’s peak.

From pruning spring-flowering shrubs to supporting burgeoning vegetable patches, now is the time for proactive maintenance – which should pay dividends in the form of lush foliage, bountiful harvests, and a spectacular display of colours.

To help you identify the gardening jobs that should be prioritised this month, Samantha Richards, garden gazebo expert at Gazeboshop has shared seven tasks for green-fingered Brits to get stuck into before summer starts on June 20.

1. Tie in new stems of climbing and rambling roses to supports

“You may have thought you missed the boat for planting luscious blooms this year, but roses can still be planted from pots during June.

“Roses add a level of sophistication and a pop of colour to your outdoor space, and now is the right time to tie in new stems of climbing and rambling roses to supports in order to encourage growth and more flower heads.

2. Take softwood cuttings of hydrangeas

“If you already have hydrangeas in your garden, June is the ideal time to take some softwood cuttings to help grow even more of these plants. Hydrangeas make a lovely addition to an outdoor space and can be used to liven up and fill out borders and beds.

“To take a cutting, start with a pair of clean, sharp pruning shears and snip off around 10cm of a new, non-flowering shoot just above where it connects to the stem. Remove lower leaves from the cutting and, for best results, dip the bottom of your cutting into a rooting hormone before placing it in a clean pot with fresh soil. Keep them cool, moist and out of direct sunlight until you’re ready to replant.”

3. Continue planting summer bedding in pots/borders and water regularly

“In preparation for summer, you can still plant some vibrant summer flowers in pots and along borders during June. Geraniums, sweet peas, pansies and marigolds can all be planted from seed, or for less work, from sprouted plugs. Don’t forget to water your new additions regularly and pinch off the tops while they are young to yield even bigger blooms.

4. Water container displays and hanging baskets

“When the weather starts to warm up again throughout June, it’s important to keep an eye out on your water container displays and hanging baskets, being sure to water them regularly. If the temperatures are milder, this can be every few weeks but during hot spells, it’s likely to be every day. Remember to skip rainy days to avoid over-watering.”

5. Get into the habit of watering outdoor plants daily – but check the soil first!

“It’s not just hanging baskets that should be getting some daily TLC this month. Outdoor plants in your garden also need watering daily but always check the soil first! With spring showers rolling into summer, you may find that the great British weather has already got you covered – avoid over-watering as it can lead to wilted plants.”

6. Move citrus fruits outside

“If you’ve been cultivating citrus fruits, now is the time to get them outside. These plants work best in humid conditions. To create this during warmer weather periods, stand the citrus tree on large, gravel-filled saucers with a water level just below the gravel. As the water starts to evaporate, it will create humidity around your tree – early morning misting is also recommended on particularly hot days.”

7. Don’t forget to water (and wipe) your houseplants

While you may be focusing most of your attention outside this time of year, try not to neglect your houseplants in the process. Even if they do not receive direct sunlight, it’s likely that the soil is getting drier in line with the warmer weather and lighter days.

“This month, check the soil of your house plants a couple of times a week and top up with water if needed. Some houseplants are also more prone to collecting dust so give them a regular wipe down to keep them looking their best.”