Organic Gardening - what to sow in June
June is one of the busiest months, with many plants in full bloom and others ready to be sown or transplanted. Keep on top of watering and garden maintenance to enjoy a vibrant, thriving display.
Flowering Plants
Flowering Plants
- Direct-sow calendula and cornflower seeds for late-summer blooms.
- Plant out canna lilies into moist fertile soil.
- Pinch out the growing tips of sweet peas to encourage bushier growth.
- Thin out overcrowded seedlings in flower beds.
- Deadhead roses to encourage repeat flowering.
- Direct sow nasturtiums to attract beneficial insects to the garden.
- Sow zinnia seeds for summer blooms.
- Sow marigold seeds to attract pest controlling insects to beds.
Vegetables
Vegetables
- Sow French and runner bean seeds directly outdoors.
- Sow pumpkin and squash seeds outdoors, popping 2 in each hole.
- Direct-sow rows of beetroot and spinach seeds in prepared soil.
- Plant out tomato seedlings in a sunny spot.
- Sow succession crops like lettuce and radishes every two weeks.
- Transplant hardened-off sweetcorn into beds.
- Plant out courgette and cucumber plants.
- Harvest early new potatoes and enjoy while fresh.
Fruit
Fruit
- Remove some of the runners from strawberries to focus them on fruit production.
- Begin harvesting early-ripening strawberries and cherries.
- Thin fruits on apple and pear trees to allow space for fruits to swell and ripen.
- Check for pests on fruit bushes, like gooseberry sawfly.
- Start picking summer-fruiting raspberries.
- Water container-grown fruit, like blueberries, regularly.
- Top-dress fruit trees with organic compost to give them a boost.
General Garden Jobs
General Garden Jobs
- Mow the lawn weekly and compost the nitrogen-rich clippings.
- Regularly water greenhouse plants and ventilate on sunny days.
- Tie in new growth on climbers and vines.
- Apply organic mulch around plants to retain soil moisture.
- Harvest herbs regularly to encourage fresh new growth.
- Begin staking taller plants as they grow.
- Weed beds regularly to prevent unwanted growth.
- Clean and oil garden tools for better performance.
Pots & Containers
- Water and feed hanging baskets often in sunny weather.
- Rotate pots to ensure even sun exposure.
- Group containers together to create an attractive microclimate.
Wildlife
- Set up a bird bath and keep it topped with fresh water.
- Provide shade and hiding spots for small animals.
- Add a small wildlife pond to attract frogs and insects.
Pruning
- Prune spring-flowering shrubs after blooming to shape and encourage new growth.
- Pinch out tomato side shoots and support plants for optimal growth.
- Trim herbs like mint and basil regularly to create bushier plants.
Organic Gardening Tip: Attract natural pest predators and pollinators to your garden by creating mini-habitats like wildflower patches, log piles and small ponds.
Written by: Sophie Essex, garden writer
Sophie Essex is a freelance garden writer with a passion for horticulture and environmental conservation. She's qualified with a BSc in Botany/Plant Biology from the University of Plymouth and a MSc in Biodiversity and Taxonomy of Plants from The University of Edinburgh.
Sophie has also worked as a professional gardener and landscaper, developing her practical skills at Cornwall's Eden Project, the National Trust for Scotland, and the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
