With summer on its way, June is a vital time in the garden. Discover care tips for thriving trees and shrubs and advice on how to deal with common pests such as aphids!

Read on for our top 5 jobs this June ⬇️

1. Prune and deadhead spring flowering shrubs

Spring flowering shrubs such as Lilacs and Rhododendrons can benefit from a light prune to remove spent flowers. Removing faded flowers allows the shrub to put its energy into healthier growth next season.

Philadelphus (Mock Orange) should be pruned immediately after flowering in mid-late June. This is important for for flower bud preservation and encourages vigorous new growth. Remove a third of the oldest stems at ground level.

June is an important time to continue watering your trees, shrubs and beds. Prioritise container plants in particular. To check if your plant needs watering, use your finger to test if the soil is dry one inch below the surface. 

If your tree or shrub is newly planted, make sure to water slowly so it soaks in deeply around the rootball. Moisten the soil 8-12 inches below the surface to target root growth. 

3. Mulch your garden

Mulching your garden is a fantastic way to lock in moisture from all that extra watering. It's vital to only do this when the soil is properly damp as you don't want to lock dryness in. We recommend a two inch layer of mulch that can consist of compost, rotted manure, leaf mould or grass clippings. Mulching also suppresses weeds and feeds the soil as it breaks down for healthier plants.

4. Feed your roses and deadhead early blooms

As your garden roses start to bloom, they'll need a little extra care. Give them rose feed which will provide nutrients to keep them healthy and thriving. It's also ideal to deadhead early spent blooms, so your rose can put its energy into new or current healthy flowers.

5. Combat common pests

As the temperature heats up, so do the pests. Aphids are a common problem in every garden. However, they can be controlled with natural methods. We recommend using a dish soap spray: Mix 2 teaspoons of dish soap with a pint of water and teaspoon of vegetable oil. Spray directly on the aphids to disrupt their protective coating.