June looks different depending on where you live.
Some gardeners are still enjoying mild spring weather, while others are already deep in summer heat. That is why this June planting guide is based on your current temperatures, not your gardening zone.
Before you plant, check your local forecast and average daytime temperatures. This guide is not a full list, but it will help you choose crops based on the weather you are actually experiencing.
If your temperatures are around 60 to 70°F
Crops to consider | How I would start it | Beginner notes |
|---|---|---|
Lettuce | Start from seed | Choose loose-leaf or slow-bolting varieties if temperatures are rising. Harvest outer leaves instead of waiting for a full head. Examples: Tropicana, Jericho, Red Salad Bowl. |
Swiss chard | Start from seed or with a transplant | A great transition green because it handles warmth better than many leafy greens. Harvest outer leaves so the plant keeps growing. |
Kale | Start with a transplant | Can still grow well in mild weather, but if your temps are quickly moving into the 80s or 90s, save it for fall. |
Radishes | Start from seed | A quick crop for cooler June climates. Keep soil evenly moist and harvest on time so they do not get woody. |
Cilantro | Start from seed | Can grow in mild temps but may bolt as the weather warms. Try planting in partial shade or succession sowing small amounts. |
If your temperatures are around 70 to 80°F
Crops to consider | How I would start it | Beginner notes |
|---|---|---|
Tomatoes | Start with a transplant | Choose varieties based on your season length and heat. For shorter seasons, try early varieties. For hot climates, look for heat-tolerant or smaller-fruited tomatoes. Examples: Celebrity, Fourth of July, Heatmaster, Sun Gold, Everglades. |
Peppers | Start with a transplant | Peppers love warm weather, but they may grow slowly at first. Use transplants for a quicker start and keep watering consistent. |
Eggplant | Start with a transplant | Thrives in warm weather. Beginners may have an easier time starting with transplants instead of seed. |
Cucumbers | Start with a transplant | Great for trellising and containers. Choose compact varieties for containers and vining varieties if you have a trellis. |
Zucchini | Start with a transplant | Very productive, but it needs space. Do not overcrowd it, and harvest fruit while it is still tender. |
Bush beans | Start from seed | Beginner-friendly and quick to grow. Direct sow seeds instead of transplanting. |
Pole beans | Start from seed | Great for vertical gardening. Set up the trellis before planting so you do not disturb the roots later. |
Corn | Start from seed | Plant in blocks instead of one long row for better pollination. Corn also needs consistent water and fertile soil. |
Basil | Start with a transplant | Loves warm weather. Harvest often and pinch off flowers if you want more leaf production. |
Dill | Start from seed | Can be planted, but it may bolt as temperatures rise. The flowers are still useful because they attract beneficial insects. |
Sunflowers | Start from seed | Direct sow seeds where you want them to grow. Choose dwarf varieties for containers and tall varieties for larger spaces. |
Zinnias | Start from seed | Easy summer flowers. Direct sow, give them sun, and cut flowers often to encourage more blooms. |
Marigolds | Start from seed or with a transplant | Great for beds, borders, and companion planting, but they are not a magic pest-control fix. |
Cosmos | Start from seed | Heat-loving and pollinator-friendly. Avoid over fertilizing because too much nitrogen can lead to lots of leaves and fewer flowers. |
If your temperatures are around 80 to 90°F
Crops to consider | How I would start it | Beginner notes |
|---|---|---|
Okra | Start from seed | One of the best crops for heat. Direct sow once the soil is warm and harvest pods often while they are still tender. |
Southern peas | Start from seed | Great for hot-weather gardens. These include black-eyed peas, cream peas, crowder peas, and field peas. |
Sweet potatoes | Start with slips | Love warm weather, but they need space and time. Plant slips, not regular seed potatoes. |
Peppers | Start with a transplant | Usually tolerate heat better than tomatoes, but they still need consistent watering. |
Eggplant | Start with a transplant | A strong summer crop once established. Smaller-fruited types may produce earlier and be easier for beginners. |
Malabar spinach | Start from seed or with a transplant | A great heat-loving green, but it is not true spinach. It grows like a vine, so give it a trellis. |
Callaloo/amaranth | Start from seed | A strong summer green for hot climates. Harvest young leaves for the best texture. |
Swiss chard | Start from seed or with a transplant | More heat-tolerant than many leafy greens. Harvest outer leaves and keep it watered. |
Basil | Start with a transplant | Thrives with regular harvesting and consistent water. Pinch flowers to keep the plant producing leaves. |
Lemongrass | Start with a plant or division | Great for warm climates and containers, but it can get large, so give it room. |
Roselle | Start with a transplant | Loves heat and needs a longer growing season. Give it plenty of space because the plant can get large. |
Sunflowers | Start from seed | Can still be planted in many warm areas. Choose a variety that matches your space and season length. |
Zinnias | Start from seed | Excellent for summer color and pollinators. Cut flowers often to encourage more blooms. |
Marigolds | Start from seed or with a transplant | Reliable warm-weather flowers for beds, borders, and containers. Water consistently while they establish. |
If your temperatures are 90°F and above
Crops to consider | How I would start it | Beginner notes |
|---|---|---|
Okra | Start from seed | One of the best crops for high heat. Harvest often so the pods do not become tough. |
Southern peas | Start from seed | Very heat-tolerant and productive. Avoid over fertilizing with nitrogen because it can lead to lots of vines and fewer peas. |
Sweet potatoes | Start with slips | Excellent for hot-weather gardens. They need space, loose soil, and a long warm season. |
Malabar spinach | Start from seed or with a transplant | A great alternative to traditional spinach in hot weather. Give it a trellis and harvest regularly. |
Callaloo/amaranth | Start from seed | A reliable leafy green option when lettuce and spinach are struggling. Harvest young leaves often. |
Roselle | Start with a transplant | Loves heat and humidity, but it needs room and time to grow. |
Yardlong beans | Start from seed | Better for extreme heat than many common beans. Use a tall, sturdy trellis. |
Eggplant | Start with a transplant | Can handle hot weather once established. Keep watering consistent while plants are young. |
Peppers | Start with a transplant | May slow down in extreme heat, but usually tolerate it better than tomatoes. Shade cloth can help if plants look stressed. |
Basil | Start with a transplant | Can thrive in heat if it does not dry out. Harvest often and mulch around the plant to help hold moisture. |
Lemongrass | Start with a plant or division | A strong option for hot climates. Grow it in a large container or give it plenty of garden space. |
Zinnias | Start from seed | Reliable heat-loving flowers. Great for color and pollinators. |
Sunflowers | Start from seed | Choose varieties that match your space. Dwarf types are better for containers, while tall types need more room. |
