June - Midsummer's Day

• The long days and warmth of June will bring on your plants and all the unwanted weeds too, so keep on top of them by regular hoeing on dry days

• The new growth of herbaceous perennials will require staking, tying, or a plant support (a ‘Monty Hoop’ perhaps?) to keep them from sprawling or being damaged in the wind

• The last of any annual bedding should be planted out now together with any tender perennials such as banana, cannas, and coleus

• Any remaining half-hardy annuals can be sowed where they are to flower

• Prune early flowering shrubs such as Deutzia, Philadelphus and Weigela after flowering to allow time for the new growth that follows to harden and bear flowers next year

• Tie in new growth on climbing and rambling roses to near horizonal as possible to promote the formation of flowering side-shoots

• For all your flowering plants, remember to deadhead as often as you can to prolong flowering

• In the vegetable garden, plant out sweetcorn in blocks rather than rows to help with wind pollination of the cobs

• Pinch side-shoots of cordon tomatoes and continue to tie in the stems to a cane or twist around a suspended string

• Tomatoes and cucumbers should be watered regularly to prevent drying out and be fed with a high potassium fertiliser weekly

• Continue to succession sow salad crops of lettuce and radishes, as well as a second sowing of peas and mangetout..