From the garden

Rootivo Garden Journal

Seasonal tips, companion planting, care and self-sufficiency — from practice, short and to the point.

· 4 min

Aphids in June: The Allies That Really Work — and 3 Myths

Sticky leaves, curled shoots, an army of tiny suckers: aphids boom in June. Here's which beneficial insects and companion plants actually help — and three popular tips you can skip.

· 3 min

Cut-and-come-again lettuce: fresh leaves all summer long

Head lettuce loves to bolt in June and turns bitter. Loose-leaf lettuce, on the other hand, gives you leaf after leaf for weeks. Here's how to keep it thriving even in the summer heat.

· 3 min

Mulching in June: How a Layer of Mulch Carries Your Beds Through Summer

Once the heat arrives, bare beds dry out fast. A layer of mulch saves you litres of watering all summer long — and a lot of work.

· 2 min

Zucchini in June: Plant now, harvest into October

A single zucchini plant can feed a whole family — and in June there's still plenty of time to get one going. Here's how to make it thrive, even in a raised bed.

· 3 min

Strawberry season! Pick them right and make the harvest last

Mid-June is peak strawberry season. Pick the right way and you'll get far more flavour from your patch — plus three easy ways to preserve whatever doesn't get eaten on the spot.

· 2 min

Sow Now, Harvest in Autumn: June's Hidden Second Season

While everyone is focused on the summer bed, experienced gardeners are already planting the second wave. What goes into the soil in June will feed you long after the tomatoes are gone.

· 2 min

Blight Defense: What Decides Your Tomato Harvest in June

Muggy nights, warm rain, dense foliage — perfect blight weather. The next three weeks decide whether you harvest in August or watch bitter streaks spread.

· 3 min

Companion Planting in Midsummer: 7 Perfect June Combinations

Combine your plants right in June and you will harvest deep into October — with less watering, less fertilizing, and almost no pest control. Seven classics from practice.

· 3 min

Slugs in June: 5 Methods That Really Work — and 3 Myths

Half your lettuce gone overnight? We separate what actually works from what is just internet folklore — and show you the best combination for the next two weeks.

· 2 min

Garden Day on June 14: 3 Rituals You Should Not Miss

Sunday is Garden Day. Before you just sit with a coffee between the tomatoes: these three little rituals turn the day into a real anchor for your season.