Winter might be here, but that doesn’t mean your garden should go quiet. June is a great time to tackle a few seasonal jobs that will set you up for a healthy and colourful garden come spring.

Whether you’re in the Western Cape or Gauteng, here’s how to make the most of your time outdoors — and some indoor ideas too, for when it’s just too chilly outside. 

Keep kids busy with indoor gardening 

With school holidays coming up, keep little hands active with simple indoor projects. Here are a few fun and creative ideas: 

Eggshell succulent gardens: A cute and easy craft that teaches kids how to care for tiny plants. 

Gumboot planters: Upcycle old boots by turning them into colourful mini gardens. 

Chalkboard herb pots: Paint pot rims with blackboard paint and let the kids label each plant with chalk. 

What to plant for Winter

Now’s the time to fill your garden with Winter stars: 

  • Bedding plants: Try alyssum, pansies, violas, calendula, lobelia, and sweet peas. 
  • Shady spots: Plant azaleas, camellias, and liliums where there’s dappled light.
  • Veggie garden: Add Brussels sprouts, kale, broccoli, radishes, spinach, and onions to your beds. 

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 Feeding and care

  • Give lemon trees a boost with a general 2:3:2 fertiliser.
  • Yellowing leaves? A micro-element mix like Trelmix can help.
  • Feed flowering seedlings and bulbs every two weeks, and water regularly.
  • If your sweet peas have brown-edged leaves, they need a 3:1:5 fertiliser.
  • Don’t forget your indoor plants – they’ll love a weekly feeding with Nitrosol. 

Tidy up and prune 

  • Pinch off side shoots from sweet peas to help them grow tall and strong. 
  • Trim back autumn bloomers like wild dagga and ribbon bush. 
  • Prune fruit trees (apricot, peach, plum) and transplant roses before cutting them back. 

Pest watch

  • Spray cinerarias for leaf miner and conifers for aphids. 
  • Place organic snail bait near young seedlings and clivias. 

Stay green indoors 

If it’s too cold to spend hours outside, turn your attention to indoor plants. Many varieties purify the air and add a cosy touch to your home in the colder months. It’s the perfect time to grow your collection. 

June in Gauteng brings chilly mornings, dry air, and crisp winter days, making it the perfect time to focus on garden maintenance and planning. While plant growth slows down, your garden still needs attention. Start by cutting back on watering, especially with the region’s dry winter conditions, but don’t let your beds dry out completely.

Use this slower season to sharpen tools, clean up, and prepare for a busy spring ahead.

Create a low-maintenance, water-wise space by planting aloes, pincushions (Leucospermum), ericas, and other local favourites. Not only do they look great in winter, but they also attract birds that help control pests. 

What to plant 

  • Add colour: Dianthus, petunias, daffodils, stocks, and pansies are great winter bloomers. 
  • For shade: Primula, lobelia, and foxglove do well out of the sun. 
  •  Veggie patch: Harvest leeks, carrots, cabbage, and sprouts. Plant cauliflower, celery, and artichokes. 
  • Trees and shrubs: Get flowering peaches, plums, crab apples, and camellias into the ground now. 

Prune and refresh 

  • Trim back vines and fruit trees once they’ve gone dormant. 
  • Neaten up aloes and ornamental grasses by removing old stalks. 
  • Check on your garden tools and give them a quick clean or sharpen if needed. 
  • Tidy up pathways, fix wooden furniture, and mulch garden beds to keep roots warm. 

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Feeding time 

  • Feed citrus trees and evergreen lawns. 
  • Garden beds will benefit from a boost of seaweed-based fertiliser. 
  • Hanging baskets and containers need a slow-release fertiliser and a weekly liquid feed. 

Watch for pests 

  • Look out for mealybugs and aphids in sheltered spots and treat as needed. 
  • Cypress aphids can be kept at bay with regular treatments every few weeks. 

Try hanging baskets 

If you’re short on space or just want to brighten up a balcony or patio, try planting a hanging basket with winter flowers. Add water-retention granules and fertilise regularly to keep them looking lush. 

Try this: D.I.Y: Plant up with this blooming hanging basket

June may be chilly, but it’s still a busy month in the garden.

From colourful winter blooms to hands-on kids’ projects and indoor greenery, there’s no shortage of ways to stay connected to your garden. Take it slow, enjoy the fresh air, and use this time to prep for the vibrant months ahead. 

ALSO SEE: PLANTS THAT FLOWER IN JUNE

Plants that flower in June

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