June in the Garden

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GARDEN JOBS

ORNAMENTALS

  • Cut back chrysanthemums to the base. This encourages the growth of fresh young shoots which are ideal material to make cuttings for next years plants.

  • Stake cymbidium orchid flowers as they emerge.

  • If you are planting out roses this winter then now is the time to prepare the beds for next months activities.

  • Time to lift and store dahlia tubers. You need to be careful to avoid damaging the dormant shoots at the neck of the tuber where it attaches to the old main stem.

  • To keep cyclamen happy and cool put them out when you go to bed onto a cold patio.

  • Most indoor plants resent dry air. Radiators heaters and fires draw moisture from the air. You may need to replace this by syringing foliage or placing dishes of water among your house plants.

  • MoveEaster cactus (schlumbergera) out under shade when they have finished flowering as they don’t like indoor conditions long term.

  • Rainy days are ideal for working away in the shed on sharpening tools, cleaning off rust and getting organised for the busy spring season.

  • Watch out for mistletoe growing from the branches of wattle trees as it can sap their energy. Cut the parasitic growth out as soon as you detect its presence.

  • Winter doesn’t have to be dull there are lots of vibrant flower seedlings to plant out now for a great show of blooms through winter and early spring. Some of my favourites includecineraria, pansyand calendula.

  • Visit a camellia show to be inspired by the Queen of winter flowers. Take a note of the varieties you like so that you can buy the right ones from the nurseries.

  • It’s too early for rose pruning so try to restrain those primitive urges for one more month.

FRUIT AND VEG

  • Deciduous fruit trees and vines are now available at nurseries and weather conditions make this the ideal time to plant them in your garden.

  • Continue to feed vegetable plants in the patch to improve flavour and yields. Remember the onion tribe like cool conditions so this makes winter their prime time.

  • It is a good time to plant both strawberry and asparagus crowns as well as rhubarb sets.

  • Remember snails are on the move now and will need to be controlled or they can devastate flower and vegetable plants.

  • Winter tomato plants don’t put on much root growth in cool or cold weather. Try liquid fertilising over the foliage to keep activity happening.

LAWNS

  • Mow your lawn furiously to prevent weeds such as Winter Grass and Jo-Jo from taking a grip.

IN FLOWER

Aloe-Aloe selection, camellias, Port Lincoln wattlebougainvillea, roses, cyclamen, cymbidium orchids, banksia ‘Golden Candles’, red hot pokers, lavender, zygocactus, browalia, florist’s kalanchoe, sedum ‘autumn Joy’, proteas, leucospermum or pin cushions, poinsettia, calendula, salvia, cineraria, geranium, forever flower (euphorbia millii hybrids), sea lavender, Brazilian jasmine, Geraldton waxflower, plumbago, marguerite daisies, African daisies, grevillea ‘Robyn Gordon’, cosmos, and ornamental kale.

FRUIT TO HARVEST

Navel orange, custard apple, Imperial mandarin, Cape gooseberry, olive and chilli. Late crops of plums, apple, persimmon and pear.

VEGGIES TO PLANT

Pretty much all the members of the onion and cabbage families, lettuce, celery, Rocket there are 2 types, broad beans from seed or seedlings.  All herbs including coriander but not basil as it likes hot seasons. Plant root veggies including carrots, Swede, parsnip, turnip and potatoes.