Yours in Greenery, Our Garden Column with Colin Abdu!
To celebrate 30 Days Wild, we’re popping this months Yours in Greenery column online.
Hello, dear garden aficionados! Colin Abdu here, your trusty gardener at Quorum Park, back with another delightful edition of "Yours in Greenery." June has arrived, bringing with it a lush, vibrant landscape and the promise of bountiful harvests. Let's dive into the joys of June gardening and keep our green spaces buzzing with life.
1. Colour and Wildlife: June is all about maintaining a riot of colour in the garden while supporting our beloved wildlife. Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering and tidy up the garden. Plant or maintain nectar-rich flowers like lavender, salvia, and echinacea to attract bees and butterflies. Don't forget to provide water sources, like bird baths or shallow dishes, to keep our feathered friends hydrated and happy.
2. Harvest Time: Our vegetable plots are bursting with goodness this month. Keep an eye on your crops and harvest vegetables like peas, lettuce, radishes, and early potatoes. Regular harvesting not only provides fresh produce but also encourages plants to produce more. Be sure to pick veggies in the morning when they are at their crispiest and most flavourful.
3. Chemical-Free Gardening: Embracing a chemical-free approach is key to a healthy, wildlife-friendly garden. Use organic fertilizers like compost or well-rotted manure to nourish your plants. For pest control, try natural remedies like neem oil, insecticidal soaps, or companion planting. Introducing beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings can also help keep pests in check without harming the ecosystem.
4. Sweet Pea Splendour: Our sweet peas are in full swing, and with a little TLC, they can keep blooming beautifully. Keep cutting the flowers regularly to encourage more blooms and prevent the plants from setting seed. Make sure they have plenty of water, especially during dry spells, and feed them with a high-potash fertilizer to support their flowering efforts.
5. Pumpkin Care: If you've planted pumpkin seedlings, now is the time to give them some extra attention. Ensure they have plenty of space to sprawl and plenty of water to thrive. Mulch around the base of the plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Watch out for pests like squash bugs and powdery mildew, and remove any affected leaves promptly. As the pumpkins start to develop, place a board or piece of cardboard under each fruit to keep them off the damp soil and prevent rot.
6.Support Wildlife: June is a great time to enhance our garden's wildlife-friendly features. Install insect hotels, bat boxes, and bird feeders to create habitats for various creatures. Let a corner of your garden grow wild to provide shelter and food sources for insects and small mammals. By fostering a diverse ecosystem, pest control will manage itself and you'll be rewarded with a feast for the senses!
As we revel in the splendour of June, let's continue to nurture our gardens with love and respect for nature. Together, we can create a haven that delights the senses and supports the wonderful wildlife that calls Quorum Park home.
Well, my fellow gardeners, that's all for this month's edition of "Yours in Greenery." Stay tuned for next month's post, where we'll dive into the delights of high summer and the magic of July in the garden. Until then, may your days be filled with sunshine and your gardens with abundant growth.
Yours in greenery, Colin Abdu
Why not join us at our Quorum Allotment Open Day on Wednesday 26th June, we’re hosting a rewilding masterclass - book a place on online here.