What a great month June is in the garden. My allotment is truly alive with the sounds of birds, pollinators and an abundance of plants. The Peonies have popped, Nigella has bloomed, the scent of herbs fill the air and the Rhino Greenhouse is full of swelling fruits. There’s so much to do during June and I simply love pottering around outside, losing track of time and enjoying harvesting the first of the summer crops.
The gooseberry bushes are absolutely full of juicy red fruits. ‘Hinnomaki Red’ are much sweeter than the green gooseberry and taste delicious in desserts, jams or just as a treat when gardening. Gooseberry gin is pretty good too! The bushes are covered in thorns so it’s either thick gloves for harvesting or know your hands are going to hurt! The fruit cage in general, needs a really good tidy up but even so, it’s abundant with fruit from Strawberries and Raspberries to Red Currants, Loganberries and a far too big Goji berry bush. All fruit is protected in a cage until I have finished harvesting, otherwise the birds will get there first. I always leave some when I am done and prop the door open as an invite to the birds to pop in and take their pick.
Recently I was part of a gardeners question time panel and one of the audience asked what they could plant in June ‘since it’s so late in the season’. I often see this on social media but June is definitely not too late and I am still planting and sowing now, so if you are concerned about the time of year, there’s still plenty to grow. Carrots, lettuce, radish, beetroot, beans, courgettes…so many! Just get sowing sooner rather than later and the warmth will help them catch up quickly.
In the Rhino Greenhouse, there’s plenty going on. Tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and chillies are all storming along and knowing I don’t have to worry about ventilation on warmer days is so helpful. The automatic vents open and close as needed and if it is going to be particularly hot and sunny, I pull the blinds down as well. Everything thrives in the Rhino Greenhouse, although as with any under cover growing, it’s really important to keep a look out for pests and diseases.
Mostly, right now in June, the fragrance from the Sweet Peas growing right by the greenhouse is divine! So sweet, so much colour and stunning in a vase. I’m not sure I could ever have a year without growing a mix of these on the allotment. They do need to be cut to keep them thriving longer so they don’t go to seed too soon. At this time of year and throughout summer, deadheading is essential for long lasting colour in the garden.
Most importantly, gardening is not about perfection. It’s about the enjoyment of being outside, watching things grow and getting your hands dirty. June is definitely the month for all of that and more.
Happy June gardening!