June in Cape Town is the peak of the winter rainfall season. While the garden slows down, the focus shifts to moisture management and preparing for the spring explosion.
Audit Your Drainage
With the heavy Cape winter rains, ensure your stormwater drains and gutters are clear of leaves and debris. Check for pooling water in your garden beds, which can lead to root rot.
Mulch Heavily
Use fallen leaves, bark chips, or straw to create a 5–10 cm layer of mulch. This insulates the soil against cold snaps and helps keep weeds at bay.
Watering Adjustments
Turn off your automatic irrigation or reduce it significantly. Once every 2–3 weeks is often enough for established plants.
Pruning: June is “Maintenance Month”
Deciduous trees and fruit: wait until the end of the month, once they are fully dormant, to prune grapes, peaches and plums.
Roses: you can start your winter rose pruning at the end of June.
Veld grasses: cut back ornamental grasses like Pennisetum and Aristida to encourage fresh spring growth.
Lawn Fertiliser
For June, use a 2:3:2 lawn fertiliser.
If you require any help with your garden, we’d be happy to help. We offer:
- Pruning & trimming
- Pest & disease control
- Garden design and re-design
- Irrigation installation and maintenance
Contact us today. We cover Bellville, Durbanville, Milnerton, Sunningdale, Bloubergstrand, Brackenfell, Kuils River, Edgemead, Panorama, Parklands and Century City.