16 Vegetables to Plant in June

If you didn’t start your veggie garden during the month of May, don’t fret! There are still plenty of vegetables to plant in June, especially if your local region is just beginning to warm up. This month can be tricky for young seedlings, as these delicate plants are more prone to harm during times of extreme heat and cold. However, June often brings mild weather, making it an ideal planting month!

Your Hardiness Zone will be imperative to planting your June veggie garden successfully. Zones 3-6 can likely still plant colder temperature plants such as beans, peas, and beets. However, Zones 7-11 are getting warmer; it’s best to start planting summer staples such as tomatoes, peppers, squash, and corn. Veggies like green onions, lettuce, and cucumbers are likely safe to plant in all Zones during June.

Are you planning your June garden with some of these crops in mind? Before you start tilling, check out 16 of the most viable June vegetables to plant this summer. Let’s get started and discuss these tasty options, including whether or not they’ll work in your local area!

The 16 Best Vegetables to Plant in June

While cold snaps are unlikely during the month of June, this is certainly a fickle time of year, temperature-wise. If you have any young seedlings or starts, keep a close eye on them as you harden them outside in warmer temperatures. Both extreme heat and cold will be too difficult for your plants to handle; it would be a shame to have anything happen to your hard work!

So long as you are observant of your local weather, here are some potential vegetables to plant in June!

Radishes

If you live in Zone 6 or lower, you can definitely get away with planting radishes during June. These roots prefer colder temperatures and are likely to bolt once your ambient temps exceed 75 degrees Fahrenheit consistently. However, some varieties are more prone to tolerating warmer weather, so check out a few different varieties for a good fit. Radishes need consistent water and don’t like to dry out. You should also ensure that your soil isn’t too compacted. The roots need to be able to extend down when planted in full sunshine!

Peppers

You won’t have success planting peppers from seed during June (unlike radishes!), but this month is perfect for planting already-established pepper seedlings. With oh so many varieties and heat levels, peppers make a great summer garden addition. Full sunshine is a must for this crop, and you may also need to provide it with some support, depending on the variety you choose. Bell peppers will likely stop producing sooner compared to thinner-skinned peppers, so keep this in mind if you want peppers up until fall frost dates!

Okra

An underrated veggie, okra thrives in some of the hottest regions in the United States. In fact, you shouldn’t plant your okra seeds until your soil is ambiently above 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Okra enjoys fertilizer throughout the growing season, but be sure to avoid nitrogen-rich fertilizers as this will encourage its leaves more than its fruit. Thin your seedlings as they sprout, and keep your okra well-watered to promote delicious, healthy okra harvests!

Winter Squash Varieties

You can sow your acorn, delicata, and butternut squash seeds during the month of June so long as your temperatures are consistently over 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep in mind that all squashes need ample space to spread out as well as full sunshine. Planning for space is a must with all squashes! However, they are extremely easy to care for, especially if you plant an established seedling that already has some resiliency. 

Lettuce Varieties

Knowing your local climate well is important when it comes to finding a lettuce variety that you can safely plant and grow during June. Some types of lettuce begin bolting once temperatures climb above 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but others are more reasonable in the heat. With so many options and the ability to directly sow as well as reseed as the season progresses, lettuce is a staple for the early summer garden! Some reliable options may include mustard greens, butterhead lettuce, or any others that mention slow-bolting habits.

Green Onions

Another option that just keeps coming back as you harvest it, green onions do best in full sun to partial shade. This is a great option when it comes to vegetables to plant in June, especially if your temperatures are still mild. Preferring little care or attention, green onions stay delicious until midsummer. After that point, they can get a bit woody. However, green onions readily return year after year if left to their own devices.

Beets

Some Zones may already be a bit too warm for beets planted in June, but these roots need plenty of time to develop throughout the summertime for a fall or winter harvest. Extremely easy to grow from seed so long as your soil is loose and rich in nutrients, beets are earthy and delicious. Just make sure to thin your beets as they grow, as they will need plenty of space to develop in their neat little rows! To get them nice and sweet, full sunshine is a good idea.

Chard

Another leafy green that’s easy to grow, chard comes in a number of colors and types. Just like lettuce, some chard varieties won’t enjoy the heat of June in some Zones. However, you can find varieties that are more heat tolerant. Simply sow your chard seeds, thin them once they start popping up, and let them grow in full sun! You’ll need to keep an eye on chard for any pest activity, but these greens are delicious throughout summer.

Tomatoes

There’s no denying that tomatoes are a must for a summer garden. If you find your favorite variety as an established plant in your local garden center, bring it home and let it adjust to your outdoor temperatures before planting. Depending on the variety you choose, you can grow tomatoes in the ground or in containers, so long as they have structural support. And, of course, full sunshine is a must for these juicy guys. Water them from below to avoid the potential for rot along their leaves and fruit!

Corn

So long as you plant your corn in warm temps (above 65 degrees Fahrenheit) and even rows, this summertime crop is easy to manage. Growing one variety is often recommended; corn is wind pollinated and often mingles with other varieties if you don’t plant it with care. Plus, plenty of water helps you maintain juicy and sweet kernels of corn! Plant your stalks in full sun and make sure you plant enough for the whole family– most corn stalks only produce two ears on average.

Summer Squash Varieties

Just like winter squash, summer squash can take up a bit of space in a June garden. However, both zucchini and yellow squash will continue producing throughout the summer, giving you more vegetables than you know what to do with! Water your summer squash well throughout the heat of summer and make sure these tasty guys have access to full sunshine. You can even try to grow your zucchini or yellow squash vertically to save on space!

Beans

In Zones 7 or lower, you can likely still plant beans with success during June. These trellis-grown crops germinate quickly, allowing you to squeeze in one more veggie before the heat of summer takes over. Some popular bean varieties to plant in June include bush and pole beans, as well as edamame. Directly sow these seeds in direct sunlight; some varieties will pop up and complete their growth cycle in a little over a month!

Cucumbers

With so many varieties and a refreshing taste, cucumbers love full sunshine and the heat of summer, so long as they are well-watered. You can grow cucumbers in containers, garden beds, and just about anywhere they’ll fit. Some varieties do better in hot weather than others, but June is the perfect month to plant your established cucumber plant to get it tolerant of the heat. Plus, you can easily train your cucumber plant to grow upward, saving you some necessary garden space.

Pumpkins

If you purchase an already-established pumpkin plant, you’ll likely have time to grow some varieties if planted in June. Just like winter squash, pumpkins need loads of space to spread out. They will also demand full sunshine, ripening throughout the summer and early fall. With so many types out there, it’s worth it to try growing a pumpkin plant or two so that you have a delightful orange squash to enjoy come October!

Melon Varieties

Watermelons, cantaloupes, and honeydews grow best when their fruits are raised up off the ground as they develop. This helps prevent rot on your crops, especially as they need more and more watering throughout summer. Melons of all types should be planted as established seedlings during the month of June. They are very similar to squash; they need full sunshine, plenty of space to spread out, and time to develop. Some types will need more than 100 days to grow, so plan accordingly!

Eggplant

Similar to tomatoes and peppers, eggplant varieties typically do best when planted as established plants during June. However, there are plenty of types of eggplants that can grow in containers or smaller locations, including patios! Eggplants need full sunshine and structural support, especially as their purplish fruits develop. Try grilling up some eggplant this summer to get inspired by this tasty veggie!

Summary of 16 Vegetables to Plant in June

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