7 vegetables to plant in June – with expert advice on how and when to sow seed
Our June guide will help you maximize growing in the vegetable garden, and reward you with a bumper harvest
I do not think there is a better time in the gardening calendar than June. Flowers are blooming, fruits are cropping and the birds are singing. If you enjoy gardening, it is hard not to spend any spare moments outside, tending the borders and container displays.
June is typically the peak-growing season in the vegetable garden, making this a busy month for gardeners. Crops sown in March and April should begin to reward you with delicious harvests while watering and weeding will be important jobs for the weeks ahead.
As a gardener, I am always amazed at how quickly seeds can germinate and plants grow at this time of year. June is still an ideal time to directly sow seeds into your beds and containers, with the soil warm and the evenings mild. So, while it is a busy time of year, knowing what to plant in June will ensure you enjoy a long harvest this year.
What vegetables should you plant in June?
There are lots of vegetable seeds that can be planted in June. Many vegetables to plant in May can also be sown this month, particularly if the spring weather has been slightly cooler.
While it will be a busy time of year in the kitchen garden, with watering, weeding and fertilizing taking up much of your time, do not forget to continue to sow seed, including carrots, radishes, and kale, as doing so will help to prolong your harvest time. Here, I share 7 delicious vegetable crops you can plant in your garden in June.
1. Beets
If you are considering how to start a vegetable garden, learning how and when to plant beets is a good first step. Beetroot is one of the easiest vegetables to grow, and, importantly, a delicious crop to harvest for your summer suppers.
While you may have already sown beets earlier in the year, I would recommend succession sowing again in June. Doing so will mean that you will enjoy a late summer harvest.
While sowing will depend on your US hardiness zone, if June remains mild, beetroot seed can still be sown directly into your veg beds. Once the mercury hits the 75 to 80°F (24 to 27°C) mark, it is probably too late in the season, but sowing in early to mid-June should still result in good crop.
Beetroot seeds are available to buy online from Burpee.
2. Chard
If you want to learn how to grow Swiss chard this year, June is the ideal time to sow seed for a delicious harvest later in the year. With vibrant colors available to grow, chard is both a delicious crop but also one that is aesthetically striking when grown in the kitchen garden.
Chard seeds are larger than most others, so I recommend planting them in 1-inch holes that are 4 inches apart. Depending on germination you can subsequently thin your chard plants, or leave them to grow if you intend to harvest early when foliage is smaller but flavorsome.
Grow your Swiss chard in a full-sun location and in soil that has been mixed with some organic matter. Remember that soil health is important, and nutrient-rich soil will improve plant growth through the rest of the growing season.
Considering when to harvest Swiss chard, you should be able to enjoy baby, smaller leaves in 4 to 6 weeks, whereas larger, mature foliage, will be ready to harvest in 6 to 8 weeks.
This rainbow mix is an 'All-America Selections' winner, with stems in gold, pink and crimson. These easy-to-grow stems are delicious to eat, though they are at their best harvested young for salads.
3. Okra
If you want to learn how to grow okra, this crop enjoys hot weather, so sowing seed in June is a good idea. Okra is often considered one of the best drought-tolerant vegetables, thriving in warm, dry weather, so if you reside in US hardiness zone 8 and above, okra is the crop to grow.
Okra is a delicious vegetable, and renowned as a 'cut-and-come-again' crop, meaning that if you keep picking okra pods, more will grow. Plant your seed in a shallow drill but, once germinated, thin so that your okra plants are approximately 12 inches apart, giving them enough space to grow.
Okra seeds are available to order online from Burpee.
Miracle-Gro peat free compost is an ideal soil enhancer for fruit and vegetable beds. This mix includes organic plant food in the soil that feeds for up to 6 weeks, helping to add vital nutrients that are essential for plant health.
4. Carrots
Carrots are another great veg option for succession sowing. By sowing another row or two of carrot seeds in June, you will be enjoying delicious carrots for a much longer period.
Many gardeners will know how to grow carrots, but for those looking to get started with vegetable growing, carrots are a great crop to select. What's more, you can grow carrots in containers, for those gardeners with smaller plots.
Carrots grow best in an open, sunny site with well-draining but moisture-retentive soil. Sowing at later times in the year can also reduce the risk of carrot root fly, as early crops are more susceptible.
Carrot seeds are available to order from Burpee.
5. Fennel
If you are looking for a fragrant crop to grow in your yard, look no further than fennel. Learning how to grow this aromatic crop is relatively straightforward, and if you are wondering when to plant fennel, these seeds can be sown throughout the summer months.
When considering how to grow fennel, I would recommend thinly sowing seed at about half an inch to an inch deep. Germination should take 2 weeks, depending on your climate, after which you can thin your seedlings so that there is about 15 inches of space between each plant.
Fennel seeds are available from True Leaf Market.
6. Broccoli
There are two types of broccoli that you can grow in your kitchen garden. The large-headed variety is referred to as calabrese, while the other type is known as sprouting broccoli, with smaller florets. These two crops are delicious and highly nutritious, and if you are wondering when to plant broccoli, both of these can be sown outdoors in June.
When considering how to grow broccoli, prepare your vegetable beds by weeding and raking the soil. Carefully sow your seeds in a row, thinning your seedlings after germination. I tend to prefer giving my broccoli plants plenty of room to grow so that the side shoots can develop as the season rolls on. Make sure you water your broccoli plants regularly during the summer, and you can feed them every few weeks with a high-nitrogen fertilizer.
Broccoli plants, as with all brassica crops, are susceptible to pest attack, such as from cabbage-white butterflies, so it is a good idea to protect your beds using a fine, mesh net, available from Walmart.
Broccoli seeds are available to order from True Leaf Market.
Miracle-Gro Shake 'n Feed All Purpose Plant Food contains nutrients that will feed your soil, helping to support root growth and plant health. This feed contains vital micronutrients to grow stronger, vibrant and more productive plants.
7. Parsnips
Any gardener who wants to learn how to grow parsnips should know that soil condition is important when growing this root vegetable. While parsnips can grow in a range of soil types, it is best to avoid beds with clay, and heavy or waterlogged soil.
In preparation, fork, till and rake your soil before sowing the seed, clearing any rocks and weeds, and covering the seed with half an inch of soil. Remember that parsnips have long, tap roots, so ensure that your bed or planter can accommodate deep growth.
It is a good idea to consider companion planting to help ward off pests from your prized parsnip plants. I would suggest planting chives, garlic or leeks nearby, which can help repel aphids.
Parsnip seeds are available to buy from True Leaf Market.
FAQs
Can I plant potatoes in June?
If you want to plant potatoes but have not yet done so, fear not, you can still plant potatoes in June. Not all varieties will be suitable for late spring and early summer sowing, so it is best to check before planting. 'Charlotte' potatoes are a good example of a delicious variety that can be planted in June, and with the warming temperatures, their growth will be rapid.
June is not too late a time in the growing season to plant crops in your yard. Taking the time to sow as much as you can now will result in bumper harvests later in the year.
For more kitchen garden advice, see our guide on the best flowers to plant in a vegetable garden to deter pests, that will not only look beautiful but will help you to ward off pests and problems.
If you are looking for garden jobs to do this month, see our guide on plants to prune in June, for a comprehensive list of what to snip, and what to leave alone, or our guide on biennials to sow in June, to get ahead of flower growing for next year.
Sign up to the Homes & Gardens newsletter
Design expertise in your inbox – from inspiring decorating ideas and beautiful celebrity homes to practical gardening advice and shopping round-ups.
Thomas is a Content Editor within the Gardens Team at Homes and Gardens. He has worked as a professional gardener in gardens across the UK and Italy, specializing in productive gardening, growing food and flowers. Trained in Horticulture at the Garden Museum, London, he has written on gardening and garden history for various publications in the UK, including The English Garden, Gardens Illustrated, Hortus, The London Gardener and Bloom. He has co-authored a Lonely Planet travel book, The Tree Atlas, due out in 2024.
-
Gabrielle Union's sleek outdoor furniture adds a surprising touch of whimsy to her patio – designers say it's the secret to an elevated outdoor retreat
The actress's monochromatic swinging seat creates the ultimate focal point in her backyard – it introduces a playful energy that looks good all year round
By Hannah Ziegler Published
-
Best Shark pet vacuum cleaners in 2024 – powerful cleaning that will absolutely keep up with your pets
As a home tech pro and vacuum tester, these are THE three Shark pet vacuums that beat all others in their range
By Dan Fauzi Published
-
How to grow chicory for tangy leafy greens to spice up cold season dishes
All you need to grow chicory from sowing to harvesting - including expert tips for forcing plants
By Drew Swainston Published
-
I've grown vegetables for 12 years, and these are the best herbs, flowers, and fruit to use as lettuce companion plants – plus the ones to avoid
Get lettuce companion planting right and you'll get bigger, healthier crops from your kitchen garden
By Drew Swainston Published
-
7 vegetables to plant in December – you don't even need a greenhouse to sow these crops over winter
It may be cold outdoors, but you can sow vegetable seeds inside. Discover our expert list of what to plant this month along with tips for successful sowing
By Drew Swainston Published
-
How to winterize a vegetable garden and improve soil health for next year
5 expert steps to protect and prepare a vegetable garden for winter and beyond
By Drew Swainston Published
-
When to harvest celeriac – enjoy sweeter roots by waiting until after the first frosts
Tips from a kitchen gardener on when and how to pick celeriac roots throughout the winter
By Drew Swainston Published
-
7 vegetables to plant in November – extend your harvests with early sowings of cold hardy crops
Discover a great selection of vegetables to plant in November, including legumes, alliums, salads, and more
By Drew Swainston Published
-
When to harvest daikon radish – the ideal time to lift the roots, and how to do it perfectly
Tips to pick delicious radish roots to add to a wide range of dishes
By Drew Swainston Published
-
How to grow winter melons – tips from an expert gardener who harvested 50 fruits from one plant
You may not achieve such a bumper yield, but here's all you need to know to grow winter melons from seed to harvest
By Drew Swainston Published