Garden tips for June

Roses require constant attention in June. Greenfly is a persistent pest and can be combated by spraying with insecticide at fortnightly intervals. Towards the end of the month look out for signs of black spot. This unsightly disease shows up – as the name implies – as black spots on the leaves. These weaken the plant and, in extreme situations, can kill it. However, it can be controlled by seeking out disease-resistant cultivars and spraying with a fungicide. Dahlias are one of the great delights of autumn and now is the time to plant them out in rich, moist, soil that has been well prepared. Dahlias are heavy drinkers, so it is important to give them a thorough soaking after planting. Once they are growing strongly and fully hardened-off, transplant them into their flowering positions. Remove dead blooms on a regular basis and feed with a liquid fertiliser at fortnightly intervals. Disbud, if you want to produce larger blooms, by carefully removing the two smaller flowering buds. This enables the larger one to form without competition and can produce amazing results. During dry spells, ensure beds are kept well mulched by applying a layer of well-rotted farmyard manure. Keep the mulch away from the stems as it can heat up and cause damage. Mulching with manure will improve the soil structure and provide a regular supply of nutrients. Early June is the ideal time to plant out courgettes. They are easy to grow and suffer from few pests, but they do appreciate regular watering. As they are abundant croppers, three or four plants are generally enough to feed the family. To prepare for planting, dig a hole 40cm wide x 40cm deep and incorporate some manure. Earth-up the soil on top of the manure so it is 15cm high mound. Plant in the centre and cover over with a small cloche or plastic bottle for the first few days, allowing it to acclimatise. Courgettes hate cold, windy, weather so it is very important to harden them off fully prior to planting. Plant out French beans now and they will produce crops in succession until the onset of frosts around October. An ideal complement for any roast dinner, they require a warm, sheltered, spot and ample amounts of moisture. Parsley is such a valuable herb – it is wonderful fresh and easily frozen to keep you going through the winter and spring. Parsley enjoys rich, deep-cultivated soil and should be sown in shallow drills approximately 1cm deep, after the soil has been raked to a fine tilth. It is also one of the slowest crops to germinate, often taking up to five weeks before appearing. To speed up the process, soak the seed in warm water for 24 hours prior to sowing. Once the seedlings have germinated they should be thinned out to 15cm apart, allowing them to develop into strong, bushy, plants producing plenty of foliage for garnishing and flavouring a wide range of dishes.