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Hopefully, most of the hard work is over and you can ease into June and outdoor living with a tidy and well organised garden. Unbelievably we have managed to get all the weeding done, and the garden has never looked so good… but then we are selling. However, the plan is to make the most of the Summer before taking on another property in Suffolk.
May has turned out to be a bit wetter than April, which has spared the lawn a bit, although the hose came out a number of times as the grass took on a light brown hue. A number of small round bare patches have been appearing courtesy of the Junkyard Mutt. Diluted urea is very high in Nitrogen which is good for the grass, but when it becomes concentrated it just kills it off with a ring of vigorous green grass around the edge. The lawn has a good mix of Canada Green weaved into it, which contains Creeping Red Fescue which is a rhizogenic grass which will re-cover the bare patches fairly quickly.
It's the Dog.
The vegetable patch should be fully planted out and well underway, and New Potatoes will be ready for lifting this month. The Rocket went in at the end of March this year and will be ready to start lifting by the middle of June. No need to cut down the haulms as New Potatoes do not require thick skins, but it is a good idea to do this with the Maincrop if you wish to lift and store. It also provides protection from blight which becomes more active later in the year. Earth up the Maincrop if you wish, or just spread a bit of soil over any potatoes which break the surface. I tend to plant my seed potatoes quite deep in well conditioned soil, and very few come to the surface. Watch out for blackfly, which will start to show at this time of year. Spray at any sign of attack and pinch out the top of broad beans planted earlier in the year.
June is the month when fruit trees naturally reject unwanted small fruits in what is called the “June Drop”. This is fine for traditional fruit varieties and the remaining fruit can be allowed to swell and ripen in the coming months. However, with modern dwarf rootstock and especially with young trees, further thinning will be required in July or else the crop load may get too heavy and start ripping off branches. Keep battling the pests, which can become very persistent and give your trees a periodic potash feed.
Perennials will be blossoming all over, and will need regular deadheading to keep them coming. Water regularly and use a potash feed to keep them at their best. Similarly, with baskets and containers do not allow the compost to get dry and feed periodically. It is all about staying on top of the borders now and getting as much flower out of them as possible.
UHS is always looking for new members and tries to encourage a fun attitude towards friendly competition. So if you want to grow your own fruit, vegetables, and flowers or even enter any of the shows we hold each year, please get in touch. We would be happy to hear from you.
If you are interested in becoming a new member, (all ages are welcome), please contact Rosey on: 01634 377812 (evenings) or Email: rosemary@ringwoodaccounting.co.uk
Sean Barry - Upchurch Horticultural Society
