What to do at the allotment in June

June is lovely month of long days, until the longest one on the 21st, and plenty of harvesting to look forward to.

Down at my plot he first lot of potatoes are growing nicely, and there’s a second batch on the way.

The beetroot and chard seedlings are tiny and need some warmth to grow bigger.

I found myself standing over them and willing them to grow, but plants only perform when the conditions are just right for them, so we’re patiently waiting for the sunshine.

The strawberries and chives are doing well. I haven’t netted the strawberries plants yet, but I think I should, before the birds get them.

We’ve mown a path through the wild bit at the end of the allotment so we can get to the stream more easily

These are some things that need doing at the allotment in June:

• all those tender baby plants like french beans and courgettes that have been kept under cover can be planted out now
• sow seeds for salad, beetroot, carrots every two weeks so there’s a continuous harvest but not a glut
• rocket & pak-choi are much happier sown in June when the differences in temperature between night & day is not so extreme, they’re both quick to grow too
• depending on the weather where you are and when you planted, crops like early potatoes, broad beans, strawberries and gooseberries will be ready this month
• thin out seedlings of carrots, beetroots, lettuce to make room for the biggest seedlings to grow
• keep hoeing off the weeds and watch out for pests like aphids, slugs and snails that will be lurking nearby waiting for soft new growth
• birds are on the look-out for maturing crops just as much as we are, so make sure soft fruit and vegetables like kale and cabbages are covered with netting.

The frame over the cabbages is made from recycled wood and used to be for the chickens. It’ll keep the birds off, but needs finer netting to keep the cabbage-white butterflies out.

Happy gardening

Jill

all photos: Jill Anderson