June Garden Guide: Winter in Bloom

Let’s be honest — while winter has her perks, especially when it comes to planting flower bulbs that set the stage for spring’s grand arrival, even the most devoted gardeners find themselves spending more time indoors. That’s why we’ve put together your June Garden Guide: Winter in Bloom — to help you strike the perfect balance between tending to your outdoor garden and nurturing your indoor spaces. After all, if winter bulbs teach us anything, it’s this: we can bloom through it all.

You may be wondering what is the best thing to plant in June. Well, you can still plant out winter bulbs and further to these spring spectacles you can sow some really fantastic vegetable seeds.

Plant out  Lilium bulbs for a spring and summer extravaganza

Make sure to get your hands on some L. longiflorum (St. Joseph’s lilies), Asiatic or Oriental Trumpet lily bulbs for a bumper display of marvelous blooms to brighten your days. 

Tips for planting lilies

• Choose a deep pot, allowing at least 10cm of soil beneath the base of the bulb so the roots have plenty of room to grow.

• Make sure there’s enough space around the bulb inside the container to protect it from excess heat.

• Use well-draining soil to prevent waterlogging.

• Pick a pot with one or two drainage holes at the bottom to help excess water escape. You should also put clay pellets or small stones at the bottom of the pot.

• Mix compost into the soil, and add sand if needed, to further improve drainage.

• If you're using a saucer, be sure to empty it shortly after watering to avoid soggy roots.

• Keep the pot in a shaded spot, but make sure the stems get enough sunlight as they grow.

• You can also create a cooler microclimate by surrounding your lilies with other containers filled with heat-tolerant plants.

Explore the winter bulb range here.

Sow these vegetable seeds in June

• Beetroot

• Garlic

• Lettuce

• Radishes

• Rocket

• Onions

• Spinach

• Coriander

• Parsley

The winter bloom begins with these bulbs

Winter might be settling in, but these early bloomers are already in full force — you may spot them starting to emerge in your garden, bringing a welcoming splash of colour and cheer to the cooler months:

• Babiana (baboon flower)
  
  

• Clivia
  
  

• Daffodils (Narcissus)
  
  

• Waterblommetjie (Aponogeton)
  
  

As temperatures continue to drop, don’t forget to tuck your bulbs in with a generous layer of mulch. It’s like a cosy winter blanket, keeping them snug and protected as they grow beneath the surface.

Three winter bulb tips 

• A morning sun and afternoon shade position usually works best, reducing the bulbs thirst and ensuring the roots stay moist between waterings.

• Provide your bulbs with deep watering every 3-4 days when planted in garden beds or every 2-3 days if planted in pots. Avoid overwatering if you are in a winter rainfall region.

• Add labels to your planting areas and pots so you know which bulb and variety will bloom.

Grow herbs on your windowsill this winter

Here’s a chilly weather hack, instead of growing your herbs outdoors, why not try them on your windowsill? Grow those fleshier herbs like basil and mint on your windowsill in water. Take a few cuttings and place in a bud vase of water. They should produce roots within a week or so. Keep changing the water regularly. Then just cut and come again!

Cosy corners created with indoor plants

While you may be in the process of building your indoor plant collection, winter is a fantastic time to stock up on indoor greenery. Creating a cosy, and lush oasis to surround you throughout the seasons.

The benefits of indoor plants include:

Enhancing your space with vibrant colours and the calming practice of plant care offers a boost to both mental and emotional wellbeing. It’s a simple way to ground yourself and lift your mood.

There are physical benefits too — plants help purify the air and naturally increase humidity, creating a healthier indoor environment.

Plus, if you're someone who prefers staying cosy indoors during winter, that’s all the more reason to bring nature inside. After all, who says gardening is only for the outdoors?

Explore indoor greenery and find the perfect plant, potted and ready to brighten every corner of your home.

Make winter growing a joy 

Hadeco is your go-to destination for all things gardening — so why not make life a little easier with the right tools.

Growing frost-tender plants? Keep them cosy in a pop-up greenhouse.

Planting bulbs or seeds? A high-quality dibber makes the job quick and precise.

Short on space? Grow up with our Vertical Garden Kit.

From smart gear to essential accessories, get everything you need to cultivate your dream garden — right here .

Summer bulb snooze

Give your summer stunners a much needed haircut and leave them in the ground. You can refrain from watering your bulbs through their dormancy, although some rainfall is usually fine as long as the soil is well-draining.

• Ammocharis coranica (leave in the ground but keep dry in winter)

• Colocasia(lift and divide rhizomes for propagation, otherwise leave in the ground)

• Crinum(leave in the ground, they are tolerant of some winter rain)

• Crocosmia (leave, but if you need to lift do so mid-winter and replant immediately)

• Dahlia (leave until the foliage dies back, then cut the stem 5cm from the ground and either leave in the ground or lift and store in a cool and dry spot until planting time in October)

• Eucomis (leave in the ground)

• Galtonia (leave in the ground for at least 4 years and ensure the soil is well-draining)

• Gloriosa (leave in the ground and keep them dry over winter)

• Hemerocallis (leave in the ground)

• Hippeastrum (leave until the foliage turns yellow, then cut the stem 10cm above the bulb and either leave in the ground or lift and store in a cool and dry spot until planting time in September)

• Hymenocallis (leave in the ground or lift if frost is expected)

• Hypoxis (leave)

• Nerine bowdenii (leave in the ground if it is well-draining)

• Ornithogalum summer growing (leave in the ground if it is well-draining)

• Polianthes (leave in the ground)

• Tigridia (leave in the ground if it is well-draining)

• Zantedeschia aethiopica (this local lovely with big white flowers can be left in the ground year round)

• Zantedeschia hybrids (lift and replant this smaller variety in a new spot or in fresh soil in September)

• Zephyranthes grandiflora (leave in the same spot for a few years, until the plant becomes overcrowded then you can lift and divide)

Repurpose leaf fall 

Instead of raking up leaves only to throw them away in plastic bags, put them to good use. Add them to a compost heap, or if you don’t have one, use them as mulch to protect your plants and suppress weeds. You can also pile them in a container and let them break down naturally into leaf mould—a nutrient-rich soil conditioner. Both compost and leaf mould can be worked into your soil to improve its structure and fertility. Alternatively, mow the leaves and leave them on the lawn, where they’ll break down and act as a natural fertiliser.

Grow along now with the June Garden Guide: Winter in Bloom - your inspiration for planting this season and creating a space that truly flourishes with real beauty.