June Seed Sowing: A Guide for Beginners
Introduction
June is the perfect time to start sowing seeds for beautiful blooms and bountiful harvests later in the year. With the last frosts behind us, many vegetables and flowers can now be sown directly outdoors. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about what to sow in June, how to sow it, and how to care for your seedlings.
Flower Seeds to Sow in June
- Cornflowers: These easy-to-grow annuals produce an abundance of summer blooms in shades of blue, pink, white, and maroon.
- Zinnias: Zinnias thrive in hot and dry conditions, making them ideal for sunny borders. They come in a wide range of colors, including yellow, orange, purple, and pink.
- Sweet Williams: These short-lived perennials add rich color and scent to the garden in late spring and summer. They are available in a variety of colors, from deep maroon to soft pink.
- Forget-me-nots: These versatile biennials thrive in moist, well-drained soil. Their azure blue flowers will self-seed and spread throughout the borders, providing a mass of color from April to June.
Vegetable Seeds to Sow in June
- Lettuce: Lettuce is easy to grow from seed and can be harvested within six to ten weeks. Sow seeds in well-prepared soil and keep them well-watered.
- Spring onions: Spring onions are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in containers or raised beds. They can be harvested within eight weeks of sowing.
- Runner beans: Runner beans are prolific croppers, especially in cooler, wetter summers. They require sturdy support and should be sown in a warm, sheltered spot.
- Carrots: Carrots come in a variety of colors, including orange, yellow, purple, and red. Sow seeds in well-prepared soil and avoid thinning seedlings to prevent attracting carrot root fly.
Successional Sowing
To provide continuous cropping and avoid gluts, sow vegetables like lettuce, beetroot, and spinach successionally over the next few weeks. Small sowings can be made every 10-14 days. You can also sow in containers, which is ideal for radishes, salad leaves, rocket, and round carrots.
Growing in Containers
If you don’t have a vegetable plot or raised beds, you can still grow vegetables and flowers in containers. This is a great option for small spaces or for those who want to grow vegetables on a patio or balcony. Just make sure to choose a container that is large enough for the plants to grow in and has drainage holes.
Tips for Sowing Seeds
- Sow seeds at the correct depth. The depth will vary depending on the type of seed.
- Water the seeds well after sowing.
- Keep the soil moist, but not waterlogged.
- Thin seedlings to the correct spacing once they have germinated.
- Protect seedlings from pests and diseases.
Conclusion
June is a busy time for gardeners, but it is also a rewarding one. By following the tips in this guide, you can sow seeds for a beautiful and bountiful garden.
