Midsummer gardening
What to sow, grow and do around the longest day
Solstice, on 21st June, is the scientific term for when one of the hemispheres of Earth is most inclined toward the sun on the planet’s orbit.
For us in the northern hemisphere, summer solstice is the longest period of daylight and the shortest night. It’s one of the most important markers of the year for gardeners and farmers because two things now happen:
Night lengthens: many plants have evolved to trigger into flowering and fruiting as days shorten. For example, dahlias, salvias, asters and nerines. Potatoes now know to flower and set tubers, while others will bolt (rush to flower), such as radishes.
Consistent warmth: we enter the summer months that usually have the most heat and consistent warm temperatures.
By this point, most plants will be growing strongly with luxurious leaves photosynthesising in the long daylight, flowers burst open and fruit is starting …
