Friends of the Earth Cardiff Cyfeillion y Ddaear Caerdydd

View of an allotment in June. Photos: Lindsay Maiden, Cardiff Friends of the Earth.

Growing your own food is healthy, fun and good for the environment.

June is a month of seemingly exponential growth both for the weeds and your plants. The garden or plot can almost become unrecognisable at this time of the year. There may also be a shortage of rain which will have an impact on the plants.

We've planted our marrows, courgettes, pumpkins and winter squashes in the frame at the front of the photo above. They seem to be doing well with the glass at a low level and the netting above.

Some plants, such as comfrey, can keep a bit of moisture under their broad leaves whilst their deep roots draw up water.

We are currently harvesting broad beans sown last autumn, globe artichokes (these will be very abundant over the next few months), salads, a few strawberries, spinach, rosemary, thyme, oregano, basil, tarragon, new potatoes, leeks and shallots.

Jobs for June

• Mulch your beds with compost, newspaper, straw or carpet. This will help maintain moisture in the soil and reduce the need for watering.
• Save as much rainwater as possible in butts and baths to reduce reliance on mains water.
• This is your last chance to plant out tomatoes, runner beans and sweetcorn to get a good crop.
• It's also your last chance to get in any winter brassicas.
• Sow the last of your turnips, summer beetroot, peas and radicchio for the autumn crop.
• Keep weeding as they are competing with your plants for moisture.
• Plant your tomatoes, lettuces, aubergines, peppers and cucumbers in the ground. They will do better in hot dry weather, they will need less water as they put down deeper roots.
• Tomatoes will also need staking and tying in.
• Marrows, courgettes, pumpkins and winter squashes all need to go out now.

Got five hours to spare? Go to the allotment pages at Cardiff Council and Get an allotment.