Latest news with #KrisCollins

South Wales Guardian

What to do in your garden in June? Roses, strawberries, weeds

With this in mind, you might be wondering where you need to focus your efforts in June, as the hot weather really kicks in. From knowing how often you should be watering plants, to caring for your rose bushes and the best homemade spray to keep bugs at bay, there's plenty to be getting on with. Kris Collins, nursery manager at Suttons, told Country Living: 'June is one of the most exciting months in the garden. 'Everything's growing at full tilt, the days are long, and there's still time to shape the season ahead. 'Whether your plot is container grown on a balcony or a large back garden, there's plenty you can do now to keep it thriving and looking lovely.' Country Living said: 'Watering becomes critical in June, particularly for containers and any newly planted specimens. But if you're wondering how often and the exact time of day you should water your plants, Kris added: 'Aim to water early in the morning or late evening to reduce evaporation. 'This is also a key month for feeding. Use a high-potash feed for flowering plants, and a nitrogen-rich fertiliser for leafy greens.' As Aphids, slugs, and caterpillars appear more than usual in the warmer weather, Kris shares it's important to 'keep an eye out and act early". 'Squash aphids by hand or spray with soapy water, and use nematodes for slugs. 'Companion planting, like popping marigolds in your vegetable plot, can also help keep pests away.' Keen gardeners should remember to feed and water strawberry plants, but 'make sure you cover them with net as soon as the berries appear, to ensue the birds don't get to your precious crop first,' according to Country Living. Have you planted any strawberries this year? (Image: Getty) As the high temperatures appear in June, 'increase watering of any newly-planted roses to every other day, and established plants to once a week'. Country Living also suggests that if you have roses planted up in pots, you will need to water them every day if the hot weather continues. It added: 'Check for any signs of pests and diseases, as there is a greater chance of infestation in hot weather. 'Roses are hungry plants so remember to give them a liquid feed high in potash every two weeks to keep the blooms coming. 'Continue to deadhead roses to keep them looking their best. This will encourage more blooms, especially later in the year if they are a variety that has a second flush.' Have you noticed your grass growing fast due to the warm weather and many spells of rain? Try to mow your lawn once a week, 'raising the blade during dry spells to avoid stressing the grass,' Country Living reveals. The home and garden experts said: 'Keep a hoe on hand to stop weeds multiplying, especially after a few days of rain combined with warm weather, when they will sprout even more rapidly. 'Weeds can quickly take over the garden by the time June arrives, so it's important to keep them in check.' Introducing the RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year: Philadelphus Petite Perfume Pink 🌸 Over 10 years in the making, this is the world's first ever pink Philadelphus. The RHS Chelsea Plant of the Year celebrates outstanding plants with a new or improved feature. Each year, exhibitors in the Great Pavilion at RHS Chelsea are invited to submit new plants to the competition ahead of the Show. Entries are carefully considered by a shortlisting panel of RHS and industry experts, who whittle down the number of contenders to less than 20. These shortlisted plants then go on to be displayed at the Show where, on Press Day, members of our RHS Expert Groups view them and elect a winner. The Groups' decision is based on three criteria: novelty and innovation, garden performance, and likely appeal for UK gardeners. The final vote is informed by the entry information submitted ahead of the Show, and the 'wow' factor of the plants on display, which the Philadelphus Petite Perfume Pink has in abundance! Additionally, the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) recommends the following garden jobs to have a go at this month, including: Recommended reading: Expert shares 90p tea hack that improves your garden's health and deters pests Expert shares best time to water your plants on a hot day Expert shares egg and vinegar hack that will help plants thrive this spring If you haven't added any new flowers to your garden yet, there's no need to panic as you still have time, according to Topsoil Shop. The garden specialists explained: 'It is, in fact, very much the case that in milder areas tender bedding plants should be planted out in late May or even early June. 'This is to ensure that they are not destroyed by harsh weather conditions. 'With this in mind you can still take the opportunity to plant for this summer now and this is perhaps the best possible time to plant tender bedding plants such as begonias and salvias.'