June Priorities

'Greenways'

“June Priorities in the Garden”

From a talk prepared for U3A Gardening Group June 2012 by Sue Lord

Introduction
For many people June is their favourite month. The ideal time to sit back and enjoy the garden; to just sit and look, and to do that relaxed thinking that can be so creative; and for this brief time we can see the spring peaks merging into the promise of summer before that hotch potch that is July. The end of the spring & the start of summer.

Definition

The Title need Definition: At least it needs a recognition that we all have our own priorities our own likes and dislikes. Also that priorities change sometimes from day to day, sometimes temporarily and sometimes permanently, sometimes they evolve, at others they rapidly jump up in importance.

Our needs and capabilities change & inevitably our priorities may change too some may need to be rethought e.g. In February and March our priorities were to think about how were going to water the garden this summer and this may yet dominate our thinking, but at the moment, how to keep up with the rate of growth after two months of waterlogging has become a priority.

So June is as good as any to sit in the garden and think about this.

There will also be newcomers to gardening for whom the basic priorities are not obvious e.g.
-Such as that growing lots of plants enriches the soil it doesn’t deplete it.
-That bare soil is an invitation to weeds -there is no such thing as bare soil in nature. And:
- A gardeners best friend in controlling pests and diseases is to grow lots of kinds of plants, give them the conditions they like and encourage a full range of predators, birds and insects.
-Why we want to get rid of weeds and what are weeds anyway (because there are garden plants as well as wild flowers that are weedsand they compete for nutrients and light).
All the aspects of gardening have their choices and priorities and they all impact on each other.

Watering
Weeding
Compost Heaps
Pruning
Planting
Pests and Diseases
Fertility & Soil structure
Planning

Watering - in pots and in the ground. How & when to water - how not to water – water roots not tops. – water into holes near plants - don’t make a rod for your own back by surface watering -bringing roots to the surface – Plan water storage & watering regime in a drought - prioritise plants, avoid small pots - ensure saucers under (or inside) pots - make drainage holes in side not base if possible - move pots into shade on onto each other. Water attracts wildlife & aids pest control. Mulch the surface.

Weeding - The only priority in June is to stop weeds flowering and seeding or spreading into other plants - weed foliage can always go on the compost heap - hand weeding exposes more weed seeds. Regular hoeing keeps soil receptive to water & is quick and easy in suitable areas.

Compost Heaps - No lid - make it easy to use - don't allow it to dry out.
Pruning - Dead early (unless you want to save seed) e.g. annuals - leaves time for plant to make buds for repeat flowering thi year or next – Cut back foliage of early spring flowering perennials such as Oriental Poppies or Pulmonaria to get new fresh growth.

Shrubs & trees - thin branches to reduce stress & water usage - shake fruit trees to encourage the June drop - prune branches not tips to avoid gluts or improve light and ventilation of top growth.

Planting & re-planting - not the ideal time - resist temptation - choose plants carefully to suit your soil conditions e.g. light, moisture, shelter - plant temporarily in pots - water into planting hole - avoid replanting unless with large root ball – use drought tolerant plants e.g. annuals to fill gaps.

Pest and disease control. Find where slugs & snails thrive - dry for snails, moist for slugs. Encourage birds and insect with planting – for food, reproduction - e.g. evergreen shrubs with thorns, flowers and berries for year round value. Holly, ivy, berberris, pyracantha.

Fertility, soil structure and condition - Don't over-feed especially with nitrogen (N) that stimulates leaf growth. Potasium (K) encourages fruit & flower Avoid walking or stepping on the soil – use flat stepping stones - keeps the ground moist and are good places to find & remove slugs.

Planning – if you are a list maker or not – sit in the garden and make a list. Consider long term plans changes, improvements, solutions to problems.

Design e.g. Seats (more of) - good focal points- or features (plant scented plants near) . . . .

Fences, hedges, arbours, pergolas, sheds, greenhouses, lean-tos & plant houses etc. . . .

Privacy, safety, noise, scent, poisonous plants, ponds. . . . . .

General -removal & disposal of dead or diseased foliage e.g. bulbs Support with sticks however temporarily.

Lawns – don’t cut too short & don’t bother to water. It will survive.

Managing biodiversity:

Bees & Butterflies - other insects Animals, / Birds

Trees Shrubs Perennials

Greenways Garden – Pond & Rockery (for vists - 01959 574691)

More information on website - www.se.lord.freeuk.com