June is one of the best months to enjoy the garden, but it is also one of those months where a bit of regular care makes a big difference.
Pots start drying out quicker, hanging baskets need more attention, borders begin filling out, and anything planted earlier in spring is now putting on real growth. It is also the time when gaps can start to show, especially if spring flowers have gone over or baskets are beginning to look a little tired.
The good news is that June is a brilliant month for adding fresh colour.
Whether you are planting up patio pots, refreshing hanging baskets, filling border gaps or looking for something to attract bees and pollinators, there is still plenty you can do to keep the garden looking bright through summer.
At Old Oak Farm Nurseries, June is always a busy month for bedding plants, perennials, shrubs, hanging baskets, basket plants, vegetables and garden advice. Here are some simple June garden jobs to help keep your outdoor space looking its best.
Keep hanging baskets well watered
Hanging baskets can look fantastic in June, but they are also one of the first things to dry out when the weather turns warm or windy.
Because the roots are held in a relatively small amount of compost, baskets need checking regularly. In warm weather, they may need watering every day. On very hot days, especially if they are in full sun, they may need a little extra attention.
A good tip is to water slowly until you see water starting to drain from the bottom of the basket. A quick splash on the top often is not enough, as it may not reach the roots properly.
Early morning or evening is usually best, as the water has more chance to soak in before the heat of the day.
Feed baskets, pots and containers regularly
By June, flowering plants are working hard. Petunias, geraniums, lobelia, fuchsias, begonias and other summer bedding plants all need food to keep producing flowers.
If your baskets or pots were planted weeks ago and have started to slow down, they may not need replacing. They may just need watering, feeding and deadheading.
A regular liquid feed can help encourage more flowers and stronger growth. This is especially useful for:
- Hanging baskets
- Patio pots
- Window boxes
- Planters
- Summer bedding displays
- Containers near front doors or patios
For the best results, follow the instructions on the feed you are using. Overfeeding will not do the plant any favours, but regular feeding through summer can make a real difference.
Deadhead flowers to keep the colour coming
Deadheading simply means removing faded or finished flowers. It might sound like one of those little gardening jobs that does not matter much, but it really does help.
When old flowers are left on the plant, many plants start putting energy into seed production instead of producing more blooms. Removing the faded flowers encourages the plant to keep flowering.
In June, keep an eye on:
- Petunias
- Geraniums
- Marigolds
- Roses
- Cosmos
- Osteospermums
- Dahlias
- Fuchsias
- Bedding plants in pots and baskets
You do not need to make a huge job of it. A few minutes here and there while you are watering can help keep baskets, pots and borders looking much fresher.
Fill gaps in borders with summer bedding and perennials
June is a great time to look at the garden and see where the gaps are.
Some spring plants will have finished flowering, while other parts of the border may not have filled out as expected.
For quick colour, summer bedding plants are ideal as they are useful for filling gaps, softening edges and adding colour around patios, paths and seating areas.
For longer-lasting displays, perennials are a good choice as they come back year after year and can help build a fuller, more established garden over time.
Good June choices for colour and interest include:
- Geraniums
- Petunias
- Begonias
- Lobelia
- Fuchsias
- Cosmos
- Salvia
- Lavender
- Hardy geraniums
- Dianthus
- Penstemon
- Coreopsis
- Delphiniums
- Lupins
- Echinacea
A mix of bedding plants and perennials often works well. Bedding gives you fast seasonal colour, while perennials help build the garden for future years.
Choose plants for bees and pollinators
June is a busy month for bees, butterflies and other pollinators, so it is a good time to add plants that offer nectar and pollen.
Pollinator-friendly plants are not just good for wildlife, they also bring movement, colour and life into the garden.
Plants such as lavender, salvia, nepeta, foxgloves, cosmos, verbena, geraniums and many cottage garden perennials are useful choices.
When choosing pollinator-friendly plants, it is worth mixing flower shapes and flowering times where you can as this gives bees and insects more choice and helps keep something in flower for longer.
At the nursery, you will see plenty of bees making their own decisions for you. If a plant is covered in bees on the bench, that is often a good sign.
Refresh tired patio pots
Patio pots can start looking a bit flat by June, especially if they were planted earlier in spring.
Rather than starting again, you can refresh them by removing anything that has finished, adding fresh compost where needed and planting a few new summer bedding plants into the gaps.
This works especially well for pots near:
- Front doors
- Patios
- Garden seating areas
- Driveways
- Garden steps
- Conservatories
- Windows
For a fuller look, try mixing upright plants with trailing plants. Upright plants give height, while trailing plants soften the edges of the pot.
A simple combination includes a geranium or fuchsia for height, petunias or begonias for colour, and lobelia or trailing plants around the edge.
Keep newly planted borders watered
Even if we get a bit of rain, newly planted shrubs, perennials and bedding plants still need checking.
Rain does not always soak deeply into the soil, especially after dry spells. Sometimes the surface looks damp but the roots are still dry underneath.
New plants need consistent watering while they settle in. A good soak a few times a week is usually better than a quick sprinkle every day, especially for plants in borders.
Containers and hanging baskets are different because they dry out faster, so they need checking more often.
Plant vegetables and edible plants
June is still a useful month for planting vegetables and edible crops.
Tomatoes, courgettes, beans, salad crops and herbs can all do well at this time of year, depending on what you are planting and where it is going.
If you are planting tomatoes outside, choose a warm, sheltered spot. Against a sunny wall or fence can work well, as tomatoes like warmth and protection from wind.
Herbs are also a good choice for pots near the kitchen door. Mint, parsley, thyme, rosemary, basil and chives can all be useful through summer, and they do not need a huge amount of space.
Watch out for slugs, snails and aphids
June growth is soft, fresh and tempting, which means pests can become more noticeable.
Slugs and snails can damage young plants, bedding plants, hostas, vegetables and soft new growth. Aphids can gather on roses, soft shoots and flower buds.
It is worth checking plants regularly, especially after rain or in the evening. Catching problems early is easier than dealing with them once they have spread.
Simple things can help, such as keeping pots tidy, removing dead leaves, giving plants enough airflow and checking under leaves when watering.
If you are not sure what is causing damage, bring a photo with you when you visit the nursery and we will do our best to point you in the right direction.
Tidy roses and flowering shrubs
Many roses begin flowering in June, and some will give repeat flowers if they are looked after well.
Remove faded rose blooms and give plants a suitable feed if needed. This helps support healthy growth and encourages more flowers.
Some early summer flowering shrubs may also benefit from a tidy after flowering. The exact approach depends on the plant, so it is always best to check before cutting back too hard.
Keep weeds under control
Weeds grow quickly in June and a few minutes here and there can save a bigger job later.
Hoeing on a dry day can be effective for small weeds, while larger weeds may need pulling out by hand, especially around plants you want to keep.
Keeping borders weeded also means your plants are not competing as much for water, light and nutrients.
Ask for advice before buying if you are unsure
Every garden is different.
Some are sunny and dry. Some are shaded for most of the day. Some have heavy soil. Some have pots that bake in the sun. Some have windy spots where baskets dry out quickly.
That is why it helps to choose plants based on where they are actually going, not just what looks nice on the day.
When you visit Old Oak Farm Nurseries, you are welcome to ask for advice. Tell us where the plant is going, how much sun it gets, whether it is for a pot, basket or border, and what kind of colour you like.
Even better, bring a photo of the space. It makes it much easier to suggest something suitable.
Visit Old Oak Farm Nurseries this June
June is a great time to visit the nursery. There is plenty of colour around, and it is a great month for sorting pots, baskets, borders and those little gaps that suddenly appear once the garden gets going.
We have a range of seasonal bedding plants, perennials, shrubs, vegetable plants, hanging baskets, basket plants, compost, planters and garden essentials available through the season.
Whether you are looking to brighten up a front door pot, refresh a tired hanging basket, fill a border gap or choose something pollinator-friendly, call in and have a look around.
Old Oak Farm Nurseries, Bells Lane, PR5 0JJ
Opening times:
Monday to Saturday: 9am - 5pm
Sunday: 10am - 4.30pm
Come and see what is looking good this month, and ask us if you need a bit of help choosing the right plants for your garden.
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