What to Plant in June: Vegetables, Flowers & Maintenance Tips

Every garden is different and largely depends on your local climate. In our Sow Right Seeds garden, the hoop house is full of tomatoes, and we're planting watermelon and cantaloupe seeds. Our gardening friends in warmer locations are focused on harvesting, weeding, and combating pests.

Here's our general guide for the main gardening tasks to do in June:

• Have you planned your fall pumpkins? Now is the time to decide what varieties you want for your autumn harvest. Plan now to have carving or pie pumpkins.

• Plant warm-weather crops, such as pumpkins, melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, and okra. Now is the time to get all those fall harvest crops in the ground.
  
  

• Direct sow annual flowers like zinnias, marigolds, and sunflowers. Take a look at these flowers you can direct sow in June.

• Pinch back herb seedlings, such as basil, for bushier growth.
  
  

• Weed regularly —they grow fast in warm, moist soil.
  
  

• Stake or cage plants like tomatoes and tall flowers.
  
  

• Check soil moisture daily —young plants and transplants need consistent watering.
  
  

• Fertilize heavy feeders, such as tomatoes and squash.

• Compost kitchen scraps and garden waste to build soil health.

• Mulch beds to retain moisture and suppress weeds once the soil has warmed.
  
  

• Scout for pests like aphids, cabbage worms, and slugs.
  
  

• Use row covers or organic sprays as needed.

• Harvest cool-season crops like lettuce, peas, spinach, and radishes.

• Check our growing guides to see when to pick bok choy, beets, and other vegetables.
  
  

• June is strawberry season. Alpine strawberries are perennials and are prolific in June.

The list of garden tasks starts to shift from planting to maintaining and harvesting. Pulling weeds and checking for bugs are worth the time and effort now.

• Garden Journal. Take notes now so that your next planning session will be full of useful information. What’s going well? What do you need to do differently?

• Continue planting warm-season vegetables, such as okra, eggplant, melons, and pumpkins.
  
  

• Succession plant beans, corn, squash, and herbs for a continuous harvest.
  
  

• Direct sow heat-loving flowers like sunflowers, cosmos, and morning glories.

• Mulch beds to keep the soil cool and conserve moisture.

• Fertilize tomatoes. Keep your harvest going with the right fertilizing schedule.

• Weeding. The best time to remove weeds is when they are small and easy to pull. Using the best weeding tools can make the job easier.
  
  
• Water deeply and consistently. In the hot weather, the soil can dry out quickly. With consistent water, plants will be less stressed.
  
  
• Side-dress with compost. Put that homemade compost to use and give your plants some extra nutrition.
  
  
• Watch for early signs of disease. Daily walks through your garden can help you keep an eye out for any powdery mildew or blight, allowing you to treat them early.
  
  
• Control pests such as squash bugs, aphids, and flea beetles using organic methods. Watch for vine borers.

• Japanese beetles. June is the month to take control of these invasive pests.

• Encourage pollinators by planting marigolds, alyssum, and native flowers.

• Check our growing guides to see when to pick zucchini, green beans, and more.

• Herb harvesting involves cutting, pruning, and pinching to encourage continuous growth.