Monty Don has issued a crucial gardening warning for those with apple and pear trees: the 'June Drop' is perfectly normal, but gardeners should intervene by thinning fruit clusters to ensure the best harvest this summer.
What Is the June Drop?
As summer arrives, fruit trees naturally shed hundreds of small fruits in a process known as the 'June Drop'. According to Monty Don, this is the tree reducing its load to successfully ripen the remaining fruit. However, the tree does not discriminate, meaning it can drop fruit that is not yet ready to fall.
Don explains that this is where a key task becomes important: selectively removing the smallest fruit from the tree before the tree does it itself. By limiting each cluster to just two fruits per spur, gardeners can achieve optimal results.
Thinning for Quality
Monty Don recommends ensuring the two remaining fruits do not touch each other, as they will develop and ripen more effectively. This also eliminates the risk of damaging branches from excessive weight. He states: "You can always buy average apples, but if you grow them yourself, then you should always aim for them to be as good as possible."
Lawn Care Advice
In addition to fruit tree care, Don advises on lawn maintenance. He suggests allowing grass to grow long during June, especially if planted with spring bulbs and wildflowers. He says: "This looks beautiful and is so much better for insects and all forms of wildlife than a neatly mown lawn." Timing is crucial: nothing should be trimmed until after the longest day of the year, the summer solstice on June 21.
