June has arrived, and it’s time to embrace the rhythm of the season and breathe new life into your garden. Wondering what to plant in June to create a vibrant and thriving oasis? Look no further! Our comprehensive guide has you covered on all fronts – from selecting the perfect vegetables and flowers to choosing aromatic herbs and luscious fruits.
Before starting, I suggest checking your specific hardiness zone and local weather conditions for the best timing and planting practices. You can verify your growing zone below by typing your ZIP code, as a new USDA hardiness zone map has been created since 2023.
Table of Contents
Gardening Tips Before Planting in June
June is an excellent month for planting many fruits and flowers in most regions of the United States. However, before getting your hands dirty, there are some essential gardening tips to keep in mind to ensure your plants thrive.
Soil Preparation: Proper soil preparation is crucial for successful planting. Work the soil to a depth of 8-12 inches in late spring or early summer, removing any weeds, rocks, or debris. Amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and nutrient content. Conduct a soil test to determine if any additional amendments, such as lime or fertilizer, are needed.
Hardening Off Seedlings: If you started seeds indoors, hardening them off is essential before transplanting them outdoors. About a week or two before the intended planting date, gradually expose the seedlings to outdoor conditions by placing them in a shaded area for a few hours each day, gradually increasing their time outside. This process helps the plants adjust to the sunlight, wind, and temperature variations, reducing transplant shock.
Watering Wisely: Proper watering is crucial for healthy plant growth. Before planting, water the soil deeply to ensure it’s moist but not waterlogged. Once planted, water the plants consistently, keeping the soil evenly moist but not saturated. Early morning is the best time to water, as it minimizes evaporation and reduces the risk of fungal diseases.
Mulching: Applying a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around your plants can help retain moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Choose a mulch material like shredded bark, leaves, or straw, and replenish it as needed throughout the growing season.
Pest and Disease: Prevention Inspect plants regularly for signs of pests or diseases, and take prompt action to address any issues. Consider using organic or environmentally friendly pest control methods, such as introducing beneficial insects or applying neem oil or insecticidal soap. Proper spacing, crop rotation, and removing diseased plant material can also help prevent the spread of diseases.
Herbs to Plant in June
Here is a list of herbs you should plant in June in the USA, with the requested information for each herb:
Basil
- Where to start: Outdoors (transplant seedlings after the last frost)
- Soil Temperature: 60-70°F (15-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny, well-drained soil, containers or in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist, not waterlogged
- Suggested USDA Hardiness Growing Zones: 3-10
Cilantro
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 55-70°F (13-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, containers or in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist
- Suggested USDA Hardiness Growing Zones: 3-11
Dill
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 60-70°F (15-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, containers or in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist
- Suggested USDA Hardiness Growing Zones: 3-11
Parsley
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 50-70°F (10-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, containers or in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist
- Suggested USDA Hardiness Growing Zones: 3-11
Rosemary
- Where to start: Outdoors (transplant seedlings after the last frost)
- Soil Temperature: 60-70°F (15-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, containers or in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Water: Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings
- Suggested USDA Hardiness Growing Zones: 8-10
Thyme
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 60-70°F (15-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, containers or in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Water: Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings
- Suggested USDA Hardiness Growing Zones: 3-9
Recommended reading: How to Grow Herbs
- CULTIVATE DIVERSE FLAVORS: Grow 15 culinary heirloom herbs in one pack; perfect for diverse recipes. Your culinary herbs seed kit includes the following gardening favorites; arugula, basil, chives, cilantro, dill, garlic chives, lavender, lemon balm, mint, oregano, parsley, peppermint, rosemary, sage, and thyme.
Vegetables to Plant in June
These are the vegetables to sow in June.
Beans (Bush and Pole)
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 60-85°F (15-29°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny
- Light: 8-10 hours of sunlight daily
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water deeply once or twice a week
- Days to Maturity: 50-60 days
- Varieties to Grow: Blue Lake (Bush), Kentucky Wonder (Pole)
- Suggested Hardiness Growing Zones: 3-10
Beets
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 50-85°F (10-29°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny or semi-shaded
- Light: 6-8 hours of sunlight daily
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist; water regularly, ensuring even moisture
- Days to Maturity: 50-60 days
- Varieties to Grow: Detroit Dark Red, Golden Beet
- Suggested Hardiness Growing Zones: 2-10
Carrots
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 55-75°F (13-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny
- Light: 6-8 hours of sunlight daily
- Water: Keep soil evenly moist; water deeply once a week
- Days to Maturity: 60-80 days
- Varieties to Grow: Nantes, Danvers
- Suggested Hardiness Growing Zones: 3-10
Corn
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 60-95°F (15-35°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny
- Light: 8-10 hours of sunlight daily
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist; water deeply and regularly
- Days to Maturity: 60-100 days (varies by variety)
- Varieties to Grow: Golden Bantam, Honey Select
- Suggested Hardiness Growing Zones: 3-11
Cucumbers
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 70-95°F (21-35°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny
- Light: 8-10 hours of sunlight daily
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist; water at the base to avoid wetting foliage
- Days to Maturity: 50-70 days
- Varieties to Grow: Marketmore 76, Lemon Cucumber
- Suggested Hardiness Growing Zones: 4-12
Recommended reading: Best Companion Plants for Cucumbers (and Plants to Avoid)
Okra
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 70-95°F (21-35°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny
- Light: 8-10 hours of sunlight daily
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water deeply once a week
- Days to Maturity: 50-65 days
- Varieties to Grow: Clemson Spineless, Burgundy
- Suggested Hardiness Growing Zones: 5-11
Recommended reading: How to Grow Okra in Containers: Tips and Tricks
Peppers (Bell and Hot)
- Where to start: Indoors or Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 70-85°F (21-29°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny
- Light: 8-10 hours of sunlight daily
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water deeply once a week
- Days to Maturity: 60-90 days (varies by variety)
- Varieties to Grow: California Wonder (Bell), Jalapeno (Hot)
- Suggested Hardiness Growing Zones: 4-11
Recommended reading: How to Grow Bell Peppers
Pumpkins
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 70-95°F (21-35°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny
- Light: 8-10 hours of sunlight daily
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist; water deeply once a week
- Days to Maturity: 90-120 days
- Varieties to Grow: Sugar Pie, Jack O’Lantern
- Suggested Hardiness Growing Zones: 3-10
Summer Squash (Zucchini)
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 70-95°F (21-35°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny
- Light: 8-10 hours of sunlight daily
- Water: Keep soil evenly moist; water deeply once a week
- Days to Maturity: 45-60 days
- Varieties to Grow: Black Beauty, Costata Romanesco
- Suggested Hardiness Growing Zones: 3-10
Swiss Chard
- Where to start: Outdoors
- Soil Temperature: 50-85°F (10-29°C)
- Preferred Location: Sunny or semi-shaded
- Light: 6-8 hours of sunlight daily
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist; water regularly to maintain steady moisture
- Days to Maturity: 55-60 days
- Varieties to Grow: Bright Lights, Fordhook Giant
- Suggested Hardiness Growing Zones: 3-10
I suggest reading our guide about How to Start Seeds Indoors, which provides general guidelines and gardening tips for successful growing, especially for plants you plan to plant in June.
- Set includes 43 lightly assorted Vegetable and Herb seeds!
Flowers to Plant in June, Zone by Zone
These are the seeds of flowers to plant in June.
Coneflower (Echinacea)
- Type: Perennial
- How and Where to Start: Can be started indoors or directly sown outdoors after the last frost
- Soil Temperature: 65-70°F (18-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Expected Blooming: Mid-summer to fall
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Recommended reading: How to Care for Coneflowers
Cosmos
- Type: Annual
- How and Where to Start: Can be started indoors or directly sown outdoors after the last frost
- Soil Temperature: 65-70°F (18-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Expected Blooming: Mid-summer to fall
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 2-11
Dahlia
- Type: Perennial (grown as an annual in colder climates)
- How and Where to Start: Start tubers indoors, transplant outside after the last frost
- Soil Temperature: 60-65°F (15-18°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Expected Blooming: Mid-summer to fall
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 8-10 (as perennials), can be grown as annuals elsewhere
Recommended reading: How to Grow Dahlias
Impatiens
- Type: Annual
- How and Where to Start: Can be started indoors or directly sown outdoors after the last frost
- Soil Temperature: 60-65°F (15-18°C)
- Preferred Location: Partial shade, well-drained soil, in-ground or containers
- Light: 2-4 hours of direct sunlight
- Expected Blooming: Mid-summer to fall
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 10-11 (as perennials), can be grown as annuals elsewhere
Marigold
- Type: Annual
- How and Where to Start: Can be started indoors or directly sown outdoors after the last frost
- Soil Temperature: 70-75°F (21-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Expected Blooming: Mid-summer to fall
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 2-11
Recommended reading: How to Grow Marigolds: Tips for Growing Marigolds from Seed
Petunia
- Type: Annual
- How and Where to Start: Can be started indoors or directly sown outdoors after the last frost
- Soil Temperature: 65-70°F (18-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Expected Blooming: Mid-summer to fall
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 10-11 (as perennials), can be grown as annuals elsewhere
Sunflower
- Type: Annual
- How and Where to Start: Can be directly sown outdoors after the last frost
- Soil Temperature: 70-75°F (21-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Expected Blooming: Mid-summer to fall
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 2-11
Sweet Pea
- Type: Annual
- How and Where to Start: Can be started indoors or directly sown outdoors after the last frost
- Soil Temperature: 55-65°F (13-18°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Expected Blooming: Late spring to summer
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 2-11
Zinnia
- Type: Annual
- How and Where to Start: Can be started indoors or directly sown outdoors after the last frost
- Soil Temperature: 70-75°F (21-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Expected Blooming: Mid-summer to fall
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 2-11
Recommended reading: How to Plant Zinnias from Seeds
If you intend to sow cutting flowers, then I suggest reading our guide to planning how to start a cut flower garden.
- Beautiful – Full color seed packets of popular flowers including Crackerjack Marigolds, Envy Zinnias, Powder Puff China Aster, Cape Daisy, and Candy Stripe Cosmos. Enjoy outside in the garden and indoors as cut flowers.
Fruits to Plant in June
Here’s a list of fruits to plant in June in the USA in the following zones. As you will see below, I suggest not growing some fruit trees from seeds, as it is not a recommended method, so pay attention to that gardening tip.
Blackberries
- How and Where to Start: Plant bare-root or potted plants in early spring or dormant canes in late fall
- Soil Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Days to Maturity: 60-90 days after flowering
- Varieties to Grow: Navajo, Ouachita, Apache, Natchez
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 5-9
Blueberries
- How and Where to Start: Plant bare-root or potted plants in early spring
- Soil Temperature: 60-65°F (15-18°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained acidic soil, in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Days to Maturity: 60-90 days after flowering
- Varieties to Grow: Bluecrop, Draper, Patriot, Chandler
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Figs
- How and Where to Start: Plant bare-root or potted plants in early spring
- Soil Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Days to Maturity: 90-120 days after flowering
- Varieties to Grow: Celeste, Brown Turkey, Alma, Kadota
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 7-10
Grapes
- How and Where to Start: Plant bare-root or potted vines in early spring
- Soil Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground or containers (with support)
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Days to Maturity: 90-120 days after flowering
- Varieties to Grow: Concord, Niagara, Flame, Mars
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 4-9
Kiwi
- How and Where to Start: Plant bare-root or potted plants in early spring
- Soil Temperature: 60-65°F (15-18°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, in-ground or containers (with support)
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Days to Maturity: 180-240 days after flowering
- Varieties to Grow: Hayward, Blake, Vincent, Issai
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 6-9
Melons (Cantaloupe, Watermelon)
- How and Where to Start: Start seeds indoors 4-6 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow after the last frost
- Soil Temperature: 70-85°F (21-29°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Days to Maturity: 80-100 days after sowing
- Varieties to Grow: Cantaloupe: Ambrosia, Athena, Iroquois, Sarah’s Choice; Watermelon: Sugar Baby, Crimson Sweet, Ali Baba
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 3-10
Mulberries
- How and Where to Start: Plant bare-root or potted plants in early spring
- Soil Temperature: 60-70°F (15-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Days to Maturity: 60-90 days after flowering
- Varieties to Grow: Pakistan, Silk, Illinois Everbearing, Black Beauty
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 4-8
Pawpaw
- How and Where to Start: Plant bare-root or potted plants in early spring
- Soil Temperature: 60-70°F (15-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil, in-ground
- Light: 4-6 hours of direct sunlight
- Days to Maturity: 180-240 days after flowering
- Varieties to Grow: Shenandoah, Sunflower, Allegheny, Mitchel
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 5-8
Raspberries
- How and Where to Start: Plant bare-root or potted plants in early spring or dormant canes in late fall
- Soil Temperature: 65-75°F (18-24°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Days to Maturity: 60-90 days after flowering
- Varieties to Grow: Latham, Boyne, Killarney, Nova
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 3-8
Strawberries
- How and Where to Start: Plant bare-root or potted plants in early spring, or seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost
- Soil Temperature: 60-70°F (15-21°C)
- Preferred Location: Full sun, well-drained soil, in-ground or containers
- Light: 6-8 hours of direct sunlight
- Days to Maturity: 60-90 days after flowering
- Varieties to Grow: Allstar, Earliglow, Honeoye, Jewel
- Suggested Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Recommended reading: Best Companion Plants for Strawberries (and Plants to Avoid)
Final Conclusions
As we wrap up our guide on what to plant in June, it’s clear that this month offers boundless opportunities to enrich our gardens and embrace the beauty of the season. Whether you’re cultivating vibrant vegetables, blooming flowers, aromatic herbs, or luscious fruits, the possibilities are endless. By harnessing the power of June planting, we not only enhance our outdoor spaces but also nurture our connection to nature. So let’s roll up our sleeves, dig in the dirt, and continue to sow the seeds of growth and abundance throughout the summer months! Happy planting in June!
