Welcoming June into the garden
The frothy hedgerows are dancing in cow parsley and the dawn chorus is accompanied by bright early mornings to energise and lift the soul. June has arrived and the feeling of freshness can be short lived, so enjoy the light air while you can.
The warmth and extended light mean that most plants are willed into unleashing their beauty, and for the vegetable garden, it means it can begin to reveal its rich bounty.
This is a busy and enjoyable month in the garden, it presents many outdoor jobs. The vegetable patch is emerging from the ‘Hunger Gap’ – the period between winter crops and summer harvests where pickings are thin. If you are interested but have not started yet, there is still time to begin a vegetable patch for late summer and autumn produce to enjoy.
In the meantime, you can look to the hedgerows for seasonal treats. Elderflowers are ready around late May to mid-June. They’re best picked when the buds are freshly open on a warm, dry, sunny day, well away from traffic fumes. I am lucky enough to have some close to my back door so I don’t have to forage great distances to collect this aromatic blossom.
Elderflower can be infused with lemon and sugar to make a refreshing cordial that can be added to soda water or used as a cocktail ingredient for a summer treat. There are also delicious recipes incorporating the heavily and wonderfully scented flowers.
Before you embark on making your cordial, make sure to carry out some research online to ensure you are picking the correct plant and harvesting the best flowers.
It can be a lovely sunny activity to get kids involved in and get out in nature.
If you are maintaining a vegetable plot, you will begin to harvest more colourful handfuls as each week goes by. Succession is key to ensuring you have something to put on your plate each week. Lettuce, rocket and radish all can be sown in small batches throughout June for a steady supply of salad ingredients.
The warmer night time temperature means that plants such as tomato, courgettes, squashes, runner beans can all be planted outside. If you have a greenhouse, crops like chillies and aubergines can be shifted to their homes under cover without fear of frostbite.
Attention
If you are growing undercover, there are some jobs that need attention as we move through this month.
Air ventilation is important for disease control. Keep vents and doors open to allow air to circulate. This can help with fungal issues when it transitions into warmer days, but it is a good habit to get into now.
Another important task to take on over the coming weeks is to ensure pollination of certain fruits and vegetables. As there is less pollinator activity inside a tunnel or greenhouse, hand pollination can be used to achieve the same outcome.
Hand pollinating can be used for crops such as pumpkins, cucumbers, courgettes, plants that would naturally rely on insects transferring pollen from flower to flower.
I use a small brush to gently transfer the pollen from the male flowers to the female flowers, imitating nature. This has been successful for me in the past.
Planting flowers around the plot is also essential for attracting pollinators into the tunnel to let nature help. Sunflowers, borage and nasturtiums are a good way of enticing them inside for a feast.
Happy gardening and foraging!
TIMELY TIPS FOR THE GARDEN:
* Lettuce and salad leaves should be sown every four weeks throughout the summer to give a constant supply.
* Kale can be sown at this time along with French beans, you can grow dwarf or climbing varieties.
* Begin to gather and organise seeds now for sowing next month and get prepared to grow your own food at home.
* Pinch out tomato side shoots
* Water your crops regularly in the warm weather and try to collect the rainwater if and when possible
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
• Tara Kate Linnane is passionate about sustainability and growing all things edible. Together with her husband Barry, she has embarked on a journey of designing edible spaces and getting others started on their gardening adventures.
Follow their journey on Instagram @twopeas_inapolytunnel or visit thefoodscapedesignco.com to make contact for information.
You can email your questions to tarakatelinnane89@gmail.com
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