June is here and you may be worried because time got away from you and you haven’t started your garden yet! Or your gardening season is shortened this year due to weather (yes that’s us too). Regardless, it’s June and you are worried that you missed your window. That could not be farther from the truth. There’s still tons you can do even now. Here’s all you need to know for what to plant in June.
Why June is Still a Great Time to Plant
June is an excellent time to start planting. Warmer soil temperatures help speed up germination compared to early spring. In early spring you might still have sporadic cold nights to worry about, by the time June comes, that’s a problem of the past. Long daylight hours promote faster plant growth too compared to artificial “grow lights” needed for indoor seed starting.
This is an ideal time for what to plant in June because fast-growing vegetables and flowers thrive when planted now, like peas, radishes and lettuce. It’s also ideal for succession planting things like carrots and radishes.
What Vegetables You Can Still Plant in June
- Beans (bush and pole):
- Quick growers that love heat – full growing bean growing guide here.
- Cucumbers:
- Great for pickling or fresh eating!
- Summer squash and zucchini:
- Fast maturing and very productive – start with one or max 2 plants. You will get more than you can manage.
- Corn:
- Can still mature in many zones if planted early in June!
- Okra:
- Thrives in hot climates and loves a June start
- Swiss chard:
- Handles heat well and grows quickly
- Carrots and beets:
- Sow for a late summer or early fall harvest. We’re planting our fall carrots now! – full carrot growing guide here.
Herbs to Sow or Transplant in June
- Basil:
- Loves heat; pinch the top to prevent bolting – full basil growing guide here.
- Dill:
- Fast-growing and great for pickling and dips – full dill growing guide here.
- Cilantro:
- Plant in partial shade to avoid bolting
- Parsley:
- Prefers cooler conditions but will still grow with care
- Chives:
- Hardy and adaptable
Flowers to Start in June
- Sunflowers:
- Direct sow for blooms by late summer. Even late June still produces beautiful heads by end of August.
- Zinnias:
- Heat-loving annuals that grow quickly
- Cosmos:
- Easy to grow and great for pollinators
- Marigolds:
- Help deter pests and add summer colour to green gardens. Perfect to sprinkle inbetween plants in your beds!
- Nasturtiums:
- Edible blooms that thrive in summer heat. Again, sprinkle between your vegetables to also help with cover crops and pests.
Tips for Successful Planting in June
With the warm soil and full sunny weather, seeds will germinate fast in June. But remember these key tips!
- Water deeply and consistently to help seeds germinate and help seedlings establish.
- Use mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Mulching best practices can be found here.
- Choose fast-maturing or heat-tolerant varieties – for example you can find these in cucumbers and beans.
- Consider shade cloth for sensitive plants in extreme heat or plant in a partial sun location.
Know Your Zone – Timing Matters
Once again, while June isn’t too late – it sure is cutting it close for some vegetables and flowers in shorter growing zones like 5B! But sometimes life and weather can impact your best intentions (that’s us this year!). At the end of the day, we all just need to remember that this is something we want to do that will bring us joy – so if you’re a little late and not getting maximum value – that’s okay!
The best advice I have for all gardeners is to simply know your zone and understand from others what grows best for you. Here’s some other tips you might find useful.
- Check your USDA Hardiness Zone for frost dates.
- In northern zones, choose quicker-growing varieties (ex. 60 days to maturity cucumbers).
- Southern gardeners can extend their growing season well into fall (lucky ducks!).
- Use succession planting to maximize your harvest (growing spring and summer carrots are doing that for us this year).
Conclusion
I hope you enjoyed this article on what to plant in June! If you did make sure you check out the other growing guides, seed saving guides and our recipes. We are growing our website with more articles all the time, and we invite you to grow with us. If you have any questions about June seed starting or would like to share some of your knowledge with us please leave a comment below. Happy Gardening!
