So, June. Joyful summer. It is the month of the solstice and the longest day. The flower garden is in full swing. Most annual flowers and other seeds are sown. It’s time to cut-and-come-again, pinch out, deadhead, weed always, of course, but also to remember to sit back and enjoy it a little.
It is the veg garden time of the tender plants, the South American foods of summer: beans, corn, peppers, cucumbers, courgettes and squash. All need much sun and water, are greedy for feed. They can all be sown straight into ground this month.
The Spanish brought back potatoes and tomatoes, too. First earlies should be flowering by the end of June, ready to lift and be eaten. These are not a storing spud. If you have room only for a pot or two, train tomatoes near a sunny wall, south-facing if possible. Remember to remove the small side shoots, grow a pot of Genovese basil to go with.
It’s a good month for herbs. I likely should tell you to pick out coriander flower to slow its rush to seed, but they are beautiful so I’ll advise to repeat-sow instead. Tall, elegant dill also tastes, looks and smells great and is good with summer flowers in a vase.
As gaps appear in the veg patch fill with speedy salads and radishes. Which brings me (whisper it) to autumn. For flowers, it is time to turn to dahlias. Pick out the tips of the main stem to the top pair of leaves and, if they are in pots, move them towards the sun. If you have a vegetable patch, start thinking about chicories for autumn. June is high summer but also the year’s turning point (I will wait a couple of weeks before talking about sowing winter). Until then, remember it is not only plants that like to soak in the sun.
Plot 29 by Allan Jenkins (4th Estate, £9.99) is out in paperback. Order it for £8.49 from guardianbookshop.com
