What To Plant In June: Vegetables, Fruits And Flowers
Another month and another plan for the garden – this month we’re looking at what we should be planting in our gardens in June, and this is quite a list!
As usual I’ve broken it down by category:
- Vegetables
- Fruits
- Ornamentals
Let’s get going!
What Vegetables Do I Need To Plant In June?
Since June is the beginning of the summer season and when the weather starts to get warmer, it is generally a month of harvest, depending on where in the world your garden is.
However, this does not mean that planting in June cannot happen, as gardening can be done all year round, you just need to know what plants, fruits and vegetables can be planted at what time of the year.
Another benefit of planting in June is that the weather is much warmer, so seeds planted in your vegetable garden will germinate faster due to the ground being warmer, and you could even have crops to harvest by late summer!
Let’s take a look below at some of the vegetables that are best sown in June.
Beets
Beetroots are a cool season crop that thrive in a full sun environment and are also perfect for Northern gardeners due to their hardiness and ability to survive near-freezing temperatures. Like all root vegetables such as carrots and parsnips, beets are best sown in June to be able to take advantage of the summer season. Planting beetroots this month will give you a bountiful harvest by fall, and these are also considered beginner-level vegetables, so they are super easy to grow.
Carrot
You cannot beat the taste of a freshly pulled carrot. My dad likes to get his carrots in the ground much earlier than June, but I do sow carrot seed directly into deep pots every few weeks right through til late June, to ensure that I have plenty to keep me going. They will enjoy the warm soil through the summer months, but just be wary of letting them dry out too much!
Celery
While celery is often planted between March and April, you should start growing this crunchy wedge-shaped veggie in May or June if you wish to harvest during fall. Celery usually takes 3 to 4 months to mature fully.
Often attributed as a cool season crop, several celery varieties are versatile and will have no problem thriving anywhere between Zone 2 and 10. With that in mind, remember to plant your celery crop somewhere with partial shade, as it only needs around 6 hours of sunlight at most.
Potato
A staple of summer gardening, potatoes can be planted earlier, but they’re also suitable for planting in June through the end of July. When sown during this period, you can expect a good harvest by October. Planting potatoes is also relatively easy and ideal for beginners. You can plant potatoes directly in your garden soil or grow them in containers with a 14-inch diameter at the bottom.
Summer gardening complements the environmental requirements of potatoes, which is why this is among the best veggies to sow in June. Potatoes prefer warmer soil as this type of environment boosts their growth significantly. As a result, you can expect your crop to produce a decent number of small to medium-sized potatoes by autumn.
Pumpkin
Since pumpkin harvest typically coincides with fall, they are usually planted during late May or early June, just in time for Halloween. Pumpkins thrive when the soil is warmer, ideally once the soil temperature hits 18°C (65°F). For this reason, planting pumpkins within this time frame will allow them to develop and flower faster due to the higher temperatures.
Remember that certain pumpkin varieties will mature faster (around 85 days), while others may take more time (up to 120 days).
If your type of pumpkin falls under the latter category, it is best to adjust your schedule and plant them earlier to meet a target harvest season.
Pumpkins are classified under the hardiness zones 3 to 7, but they can still be grown outside these specific zones as long as you can take into account potential pitfalls concerning temperature extremes.
Sweet Potato
Sweet potatoes are another vegetable ideally planted in June. These tasty and edible root vegetables come from the morning glory variety, unlike standard potatoes, which fall under the nightshade family. Sweet potatoes are tough and can easily grow in sandy soil without additional fertilizers.
Sowing sweet potatoes requires that you start by transplanting sweet potato slips. Slips are sprouts that are taken from a mature sweet potato. Planting slips in June will give you a harvest period sometime in September. Remember that sweet potatoes develop crawling vines that can easily cover a vast space of your garden’s surface.
Sweet potatoes fall under the hardiness zones 9, 10, and 11 but can still be grown in USDA zones 5 to 11 as long as they meet the minimum 120 frost-free periods for the sweet potatoes to mature.
Tomato
Assuming that you haven’t already planted tomato seedlings out, the start of June is the absolute latest that I would get my toms out. They’re struggling – at least where I am in the world – but it is still possible to get some fresh home grown tomatoes later in the summer and into early fall.
Make sure that they’re in an area with plenty of sunshine to maximize their growth.
What Fruits Do I Need To Plant In June?
Summer is a rather tricky period to grow fruits as the blistering hot temperatures can cause harm and decrease the growth of most fruit varieties. Fortunately, there are still options out there if you want to take this period to grow a wide range of fruits in your garden. Below are some that you can plant in your garden during the month of June.
Cape Gooseberries
Cape gooseberries are perennial plants that fall under the USDA zones 8 to 11 and prefer an environment with full sun to partial shade. Due to Cape gooseberries preferring a sunny location, June is the perfect month to plant their seedlings.
Once temperatures start reaching their peak during summer, you should transplant your Cape gooseberry crop to a relatively protected or shaded part of your garden.
This is another easy-to-care-for fruit as it can adapt to a wide variety of soil. However, Cape gooseberries grow best in well-draining and moist sandy soil. In addition, they will need protection from heavy frost, so transferring them indoors is best once winter starts setting in.
Cucumber
Cucumbers – yes, they are a fruit! – are best grown in zones 4 to 12 with recommended temperatures around 21°C (70°F). Cucumber is also a flexible fruit to grow as you can plant it anytime between March to June, depending on your location or hardiness zone rating.
Cucumbers can survive with little help from the gardener, as long as you ensure that your crops get at least an inch of water every week, they are likely to grow to full potential. Adding some straw mulch can help keep insects and slugs away from the prized cucumber fruit.
Melon
Melon is another perfect fruit to plant in June once temperatures have risen enough that there is no risk of experiencing late frosts. They need nutrient-rich soil, lots of sunlight, and protection from pests and while growing melons does take some effort, their sweet and refreshing fruits are enough reason to continue this little garden endeavor.
Raspberry
Raspberries are considered to be frost-hardy plants and can thrive in cooler climates. That said, they can also survive warmer regions if placed in spots with partial shade to protect them from the full blast of sunlight. Watering your raspberry crops daily will be integral for their survival, so ensure the soil remains moist to the touch to help them grow to their full potential.
Raspberries generally take around 16 to 18 months after planting to mature and fully prepare for harvest. So, be ready for the long haul if you decide to grow raspberries this coming June.
Strawberry
There are several varieties of strawberries out there, and every single one can be planted anytime between June to September. The best types of strawberry ideal for June gardening include the Honeoye strawberry, an excellent early-season fruit.
Growing strawberries might be intimidating, but with proper preparation and know-how, you’ll be surprised at how simple it is to care for them. Here are a couple of essential tips to get you started:
- Make sure to plant strawberry seedlings in a spot that gets full sun.
- If you live in a warmer region, provide your strawberry crops with adequate shade protection.
- Ensure that you place them in well-draining soil.
- Provide strawberries with at least 1 inch of water per week. In warmer regions, daily watering is vital.
Related article: How to grow strawberries from seed
What Flowers Should I Plant Out In June?
Summer is a season where flowers overflow, spilling color and foliage all around the garden. Below are the best flowers to plant in your garden this June.
Aster
Aster is a perennial flower that comes in various pastel colors, such as pink, lavender, and purple and they provide a nice balance to any garden. Its impressive resistance to heat makes it another low-maintenance flower that will yield outstanding visual rewards.
Black-Eyed Susan
The black-eyed Susan is an annual / perennial wildflower and one of the more versatile entries in this list. Not only is it gorgeous with its golden flowers, but it’s also an excellent companion plant as it gets along with every other flora.
Black-eyed Susans are classified under the plant hardiness zone 2 to 9.
Marigold
Marigolds have a cheery yellow appearance that is synonymous with summer and bright sunny days. They are a staple in summer gardens, especially those with bright yellow and orange flowers.
Marigolds are a super low-maintenance flower that only require lots of sunlight to flourish. Throw some seeds into any spare pots you have and wait for the color to appear!
Is there anything that you think I’ve missed from my June planting list? Or perhaps you have to start some of these a little earlier or later based upon location? Let me know in the comments!
