Your June Garden Checklist

June is a pivotal time in the garden. With the warmth of summer taking hold, plants are growing fast—but so are the weeds, pests, and potential problems. This month is all about momentum: maintaining the work you’ve done in spring, maximizing production, and preventing issues before they take over.

Whether you’re growing in raised beds, containers, or an expansive backyard garden, here’s what to plant, harvest, and keep an eye on throughout June.

What to Plant in June

Even though the early spring planting window has closed, June is far from too late. In fact, it’s a great time to get warm-season crops into the ground, especially if you’re succession planting or filling gaps where cool-season plants have finished. Many vegetables thrive in the heat and will reward you with abundant harvests through summer and into fall.

Warm-season favorites such as bush and pole beans, cucumbers, squash, melons, and corn can be directly sown now. These crops love the heat and grow quickly when given full sun and consistent moisture. If you're short on time, transplanting starter plants like tomatoes and peppers is a smart move—just look for early-maturing varieties so you still have time to enjoy a harvest before fall.

In addition to these, don’t forget fast-maturing crops like radishes, baby beets, and green onions. These are great choices to tuck into spaces that open up from spent spring crops. Even in the heat, you can still get a quick harvest if you choose the right varieties.

If you’re an herb gardener, now is the time to plant or prune back basil, dill, oregano, thyme, and sage. These herbs flourish in warm conditions and reward frequent harvesting. Basil especially benefits from regular pinching, which prevents flowering and promotes bushy growth.

In southern zones (8–10), late June is a good time to start thinking about your fall garden. Crops like broccoli, cauliflower, and kale can be started indoors to get a jump on the next season.

Container gardeners can take advantage of June's heat, too. Use deep pots with good drainage and rich potting mix to grow tomatoes, peppers, herbs, and even melons in small spaces. Just be sure to water daily, as containers dry out much faster than ground beds.

For gardeners using succession planting techniques, June is an ideal time to sow a second or even third round of crops like beans, radishes, and summer squash. This method ensures a continual harvest rather than one overwhelming burst of produce.

What to Harvest in June

June brings in the first full wave of garden rewards. If you planted early in spring, you’ll likely be harvesting cool-season crops like lettuce, spinach, kale, peas, and root vegetables. These crops are at their peak now, but they’re also starting to feel the stress of warmer temperatures. Harvest early in the morning for the best flavor and texture.

As the season heats up, many of these cool-weather crops will begin to bolt. Lettuce and spinach, in particular, may send up flower stalks quickly. Harvest generously while you still can, and consider replacing them with more heat-tolerant options.

You may also start to see the first summer squash, green beans, and even cherry tomatoes appearing—especially if you got a head start in early spring. Zucchini grows incredibly fast, so check plants daily. Picking fruits while they’re small improves flavor and keeps the plants producing longer.

Herbs like basil, cilantro, dill, and chives should be harvested often to encourage new growth and delay flowering. If you’re growing parsley or oregano, you can cut entire stems to use fresh or dry for later.

Fruits may also be ready depending on your zone. Strawberries, especially, peak in early summer. If you have berry bushes or fruit trees, keep an eye on ripening fruit and protect it from birds with netting if needed.

Remember, frequent harvesting is key—not just for freshness, but for plant health and ongoing productivity. Many crops will slow or stop production if fruits or pods are left to fully mature on the plant.

What to Watch For in June

Along with the benefits of warm weather come new challenges. June is notorious for the arrival of pests, rapid weed growth, and the stress that heat can put on young or shallow-rooted plants.

One of the biggest problems this month is bolting. This happens when a plant moves from leaf production to flowering and seed production—usually triggered by heat or long daylight hours. Leafy greens are especially prone to bolting in June. Once they flower, the leaves turn bitter and growth slows. If you spot bolting early, harvest what you can and replant with heat-loving crops.

Pests can also become a major issue now. Aphids, squash bugs, cucumber beetles, cabbage worms, and tomato hornworms are all active in June. Check your plants daily, especially the undersides of leaves, and take action quickly. A strong blast of water, hand-picking, or using natural pest deterrents like neem oil can keep populations in check. Also consider encouraging beneficial insects like ladybugs and lacewings to stick around your garden.

Heat and sun exposure may begin to stress certain plants, particularly shallow-rooted ones like lettuce or younger seedlings. Mulching can help regulate soil temperature and moisture. Applying 2–3 inches of mulch (such as straw, shredded leaves, or compost) around your plants can prevent the soil from drying out and reduce weed growth.

Watering should be adjusted as the temperatures rise. Deep, infrequent watering is better than frequent shallow watering—it encourages deeper root growth and healthier plants overall. Try to water early in the day to reduce evaporation and avoid moisture-related diseases.

Don’t forget plant support either. Many summer crops grow quickly and will need help staying upright. Tomatoes, beans, cucumbers, and peppers benefit from cages, trellises, or stakes to support the weight of fruit and improve air circulation.

If you haven’t already fertilized your heavy feeders this season, consider doing so now. Tomatoes, squash, and corn benefit from a mid-season boost. Choose a balanced fertilizer or compost tea and apply it early in the morning or late in the evening to avoid burning the plants.

Wrapping Up Your June Garden To-Dos

June is when your garden starts to show its potential. Plants are growing fast, early harvests are coming in, and there’s a constant rhythm of planting, tending, and picking. But it’s also a time when skipping a few days of observation can lead to pest outbreaks or bolted crops.

By planting a second wave of heat-loving vegetables, harvesting regularly, and staying ahead of issues like weeds and pests, you’ll keep your garden thriving well into the summer months. Take time each day to observe, enjoy, and adjust. Your plants will thank you with continuous blooms, fruits, and greens.

Keeping a garden journal this month can help track which varieties are thriving, which pests show up when, and what changes improve yield. It becomes an invaluable tool for planning next year’s garden with greater precision.

June is also a great time to experiment. Try growing a new variety of tomato or planting a crop you’ve never grown before. Gardening is a continuous learning process, and June is one of its most dynamic chapters.

Remember, the work you put in this month sets the tone for the rest of the season. Stay consistent, stay observant, and most of all—enjoy every moment in the garden. Happy Gardening!