In The Vegetable Garden This June

Here are the top vegetable gardening tips for June, when the garden is in full swing and the days are long and warm: 

 🥕 1. Succession Sow for Continuous Crops 

     Keep sowing quick-growing vegetables: 

• Lettuce, rocket, radish, spinach 

• Beetroot, carrots, spring onions

• Sow French beans, runner beans, courgettes, pumpkins, and sweetcorn if not already in. 

🌱 2. Harden Off and Plant Out 

• Tender crops like courgettes, tomatoes, chillies, cucumbers, and squash can now safely go outdoors. 

• Gradually acclimatise (harden off) any indoor-raised seedlings before planting them out. 

💧 3. Water Regularly and Deeply 

• Especially important for potatoes, beans, and fruiting crops (like tomatoes and cucumbers). 

• Water deeply less often rather than shallow watering every day. 

• Mulch around plants to conserve moisture. 

🌿 4. Hoe and Weed Frequently 

• Weeds grow quickly in warm weather and will compete for nutrients and water. 

• Hoe on dry days to sever weed roots and leave them to dry out. 

🍅 5. Support Climbing Veg 

• Tie in climbing beans, peas, and tomatoes regularly. 

• Pinch out tomato side shoots to encourage better fruiting (cordon varieties). 

🥔 6. Earth Up Potatoes 

• Draw soil up around the stems of growing potatoes to protect tubers from sunlight and boost yields. 

🐌 7. Watch for Pests 

     Look out for: 

• Slugs and snails (especially after rain) 

• Aphids, especially on beans 

• Carrot root fly (use mesh or plant alongside alliums to deter) 

• Use barriers, netting, or organic methods to protect crops. 

🍓 8. Harvest Early Crops 

• Pick peas, broad beans, salad leaves, spinach, radishes, and early potatoes as they’re ready. 

• The more you harvest, the more you’ll get! 

🌼 9. Let Some Plants Flower for Pollinators 

• Leave a few herbs (like chives, coriander, and parsley) to flower – they attract beneficial insects. 

📅 10. Plan for Later Crops 

     Start planning and sowing autumn and winter veg:

• Brassicas like kale, cabbage, and purple sprouting broccoli 

• Leeks and swedes