The safety of glyphosate weed killers is being called into question by some scientific studies as being carcinogenic and harmful to bees.

I am not usually swayed easily into ‘scare stories’ but I have noticed the reduction in the flying insect population, and when that is confirmed by other studies and then linked to glyphosate it doesn’t seem a risk worth taking.

How do you tackle pernicious weeds?

However, if weed killers are not used, it leaves one with a problem of how to tackle bindweed and other pernicious weeds. Basically, you’re left with the option of either digging out weeds, or covering the ground with old carpet or some such thing which can be left undisturbed for a year or more. This is only useful if all the other plants are removed first.

It could be argued that if all the safety instructions on the product are followed it is fine. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to reach their own conclusion unless the product gets withdrawn from sale.

Sort out your pots

June is a good time of year to sort out the long-term pots in your garden. Re-pot into slightly larger ones – don’t put plants directly into huge pots from small ones, as they don’t tend to do as well.

Also, don’t use pots that curve inwards at the top for these long-term plantings, as they are next to impossible to remove the rootball without breaking the pot. The very big pots are impractical to empty and re-do so with these you can scrape off 10cm or so of soil and top up with fresh soil – something like John Innes No.3. Use slow release plant food pellets to make sure the plant is being fed. Refer to the packet for quantity and instructions.

The ‘Chelsea chop’

As we’ve just had the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, it is the ideal time to do the ‘Chelsea chop’. This is a way of shortening perennials that can become leggy. It promotes smaller, later but a higher quantity of flowers.

All you need to do is chop back the plants by up to half using secateurs. According to the RHS, removing the top shoots allows sideshoots to branch out. Usually, top shoots would inhibit this by producing hormones in a process known as apical dominance. You can read more about this at www.rhs.org.uk

You can try the Chelsea chop on lots of plants including Sedums, Asters, Rudbeckias, Echinaceas and Heleniums. You could also cut back half the stems and leave the other half, thus lengthening the flowering display – have a try and see how you get on.

It is also a good idea to thin out some of the stems of plants such as delphiniums or phlox at this time of year. Take out about a quarter of the weakest ones at the base, as this will ensure the remaining stems will be stronger.