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Continue raking up leaves or collect when mowing the lawn and spread under shrubs and trees. Piling these on bare areas stops weeds growing and encourages worm activity and when rotted, they can be spread around to boost soil organic matter.

  • Vegetables to plant in June includes red and white onions, shallots, broccoli, kale, spinach, silver beet [cover to prevent birds eating it] and garlic. Dig the soil over well and add lots of compost. Put garlic cloves 5cm deep with pointy end up.
  • Have frost cloth or plastic tunnels handy for cold days and nights. And its not too late to spray citrus with raingard.
  • Prune pipfruit, grapes & kiwifruit vines. Cut Autumn fruiting raspberries to the ground.
  • Spring flowering bulbs [daffodils and tulips] are available now at reduced prices and its not too late to plant, so do it now. Plant a few each year, for a bold and spectacular display in time.
  • New season rose bushes are available mid June. Be quick [or order now] for favourites like Iceberg[ both bush and standards]
  • Rose pruning should be left until late June. July/ August is soon enough.
  • Break up large clumps of lilies. They are best left alone for 3-4 years and only split up if really large clumps. New bulbs are available now, so if you would like Christmas lilies flowering in your garden this Christmas, now is the time too buy them. They need good drainage and compost, but not animal manures.