Summer! Official. Meteorological summer started yesterday. The solstice is on 21 June. It’s the magical month of long days and high sun with up to 18 hours of light in Scotland – though I wouldn’t be a gardener if I didn’t tell you it drops fast from the 21st. There is almost nothing you can’t do with your land now. Almost nothing you can’t sow. Any pots and seedlings you’ve been hoarding can all go into ground.
It is the bittersweet month, the watershed. Make the most of it. Sow wildly, widely, but remember to thoroughly water. And to ensure there’s some for birds. Aubergines, courgettes and other summer squash can all be replanted outside or sown direct into soil. Old-school gardeners will tell you to sow two seeds together and save the strongest. That has never felt right to me. I am more likely to replant the ‘weaker’ in the better spot. Please remember their greedy need for feed.
French and runner beans can be sown, many salads too, though lettuces don’t like to germinate in high heat so sow in shade. Go heavy on rocket and other mixed leaves for cut-and-come-again. Sow as much chard and kale as you can.
Sow beetroot and carrots. I prefer to crop when they are smaller and sweet. The same for broad beans, ready about now. You can sow broccoli, fennel and radicchio for autumn (and there, I have said the ‘A’ word so I will skip for now much mention of winter brassicas).
June is a summer herb month. Basil and coriander can go in a sunny spot but sow parsley in the shade. Trim back mint and sage. Remember, too, it is a harvest time. Lift any early potatoes and perhaps scatter flower seed in their place. I will be growing more marigolds. June is busy but not too frenzied to stand still and soak it in.
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