June marks the height of the growing season, and your herb garden should be flourishing with life and vitality. With longer days and warmer temperatures, it’s the perfect time to focus on nurturing your herbs, ensuring they’re well-fed, and taking advantage of the bountiful harvests available. In this post, we’ll explore which herbs to tend to in June, care tips to keep them thriving, and how to make the most of the moon phases for planting and harvesting.

Front Yard (Shaded): Caring for Cool-Weather Herbs

In your front yard, where cooler and shaded conditions prevail, you can continue to nurture the herbs that thrive in these environments. June offers an opportunity to ensure they remain healthy and productive.

Herbs to Care for in Shaded Areas:

• Chives: By June, your chives should be lush and ready for frequent harvesting. Continue to snip the leaves regularly to encourage new growth. If they begin to flower, you can cut the flowers for salads or leave them for a beautiful display in your garden.
• Parsley: Your parsley plants will likely be flourishing by now. Regular harvesting will encourage the plants to produce more leaves. Snip the outer leaves, allowing the inner leaves to continue growing for future harvests.
• Mint: Mint will be in full swing this month. It’s a great time to start harvesting leaves for culinary uses, teas, and refreshing summer drinks. Regular harvesting will keep the plant bushy and healthy.

Shaded Herb Care Tips:

• Watering: Keep an eye on soil moisture levels, especially as temperatures rise. Shaded herbs may need less frequent watering than those in full sun, but ensure the soil doesn’t dry out completely.
• Fertilisation: A light application of organic fertiliser can support continued growth. Follow the instructions carefully to avoid over-fertilising.

Back Yard (Sunny): Maximising Growth of Mediterranean Herbs

In your back yard, the sunny conditions are perfect for growing a wide range of Mediterranean herbs that thrive in warmth and light. June is a fantastic month for ensuring these herbs are flourishing and productive.

Herbs to Tend to in Sunny Areas:

• Basil: Your basil should be thriving by now. Continue to pinch off the tops to encourage bushiness and prevent flowering. Regular harvesting will ensure you have plenty of leaves for cooking and fresh pesto.
• Oregano: Oregano is well-suited for sunny spots and should be flourishing. You can begin harvesting leaves as needed, snipping from the top to encourage fuller growth.
• Sage: Sage loves the summer sun. Continue to care for your sage plants by watering them when the soil feels dry and pruning them lightly to encourage bushy growth.

Sunny Herb Care Tips:

• Watering: Ensure your sunny herbs are watered regularly, especially as the weather warms up. Water deeply, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering sessions.
• Mulching: Adding a layer of mulch can help retain moisture, regulate soil temperature, and reduce weed growth, benefiting your herbs as they thrive in summer.

Harvesting and Using Your Herbs

June is a peak time for harvesting, as many herbs will be at their best. Enjoy the fresh flavours and aromas of your garden.

June Harvesting Tips:

• Chives: Regularly harvest chives by cutting the leaves, and consider using the flowers in salads for a pop of colour and flavour.
• Parsley: Harvest parsley by snipping the outer leaves. This encourages further growth and allows you to enjoy fresh parsley throughout the month.
• Mint: Use mint leaves generously in drinks, desserts, and savoury dishes. The more you harvest, the bushier your plant will become.

Moon Phase Tips: Aligning Gardening with Lunar Cycles

June’s moon phases provide excellent guidance for planting and harvesting. Working with the lunar cycle can enhance your gardening practices.

New Moon (early June): Time for New Plantings

The New Moon is an ideal time for planting new herbs or starting new seedlings. Use this energy to sow any additional herbs you’d like to grow, such as cilantro or dill, as the New Moon promotes root development.

Full Moon (late June): Perfect for Harvesting

As the Full Moon approaches, take the opportunity to harvest abundant crops from your garden. This is a great time to gather your herbs, as the Full Moon’s energy enhances growth and flavour. Harvest chives, parsley, and mint for use in your summer dishes.

Conclusion: June is a Month of Abundance and Growth

June is an exciting and vibrant month in your herb garden, filled with opportunities for growth, harvesting, and new plantings. By focusing on the care of your shaded and sunny herbs, you can maximise the yield and enjoyment of your garden. Aligning your gardening activities with the moon phases can further enhance your success, allowing you to embrace the abundance of the season. Enjoy the rich flavours and aromas from your herb garden this June, and make the most of the summer bounty ahead.

Blessed be!

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