What To Plant In June For An Abundant Spring And Summer Garden! (21 Crops!)

June is here! It’s the month of warmth, growth, and whispered promises of a summer garden. And if you still need to plant fruits, veggies, herbs, or flowers this year, you’re in the right place! We’re about to brainstorm twenty-one crops that thrive under the June sun in most USDA growing zones. These are the perfect crops to plant right now!

So grab your trowel, dust off your sun hat, and embark on a botanical sun-packed adventure with us.

Harvesting yummy autumn vegetables including beets pumpkins and potatoes.

Our summer garden awaits!

21 Best Garden Crops For June – Summer Planting Gems!

The following 21 crops are surefire bets for June and thrive in many USDA growing zones.

1. Cucumbers

Growing a small cucumber plant in the late spring or early summer garden.

Cucumbers are one of the most stress-free garden crops to grow in June. The seeds react perfectly to the hot sun, and the warm temperatures promote vigorous growth, resulting in abundant slicing, snacking, and pickling throughout the summer.

Mature Height: Varies by variety, but typically around 1 to 2 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 50 to 70 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 7.
Care Requirements: Provide well-drained soil, full sun, and regular watering.

Plant cucumber seeds about 1 to 1-and-a-half inches deep. Sow cucumber seeds around 12 to 18 inches apart.

2. Anise Hyssop

A honey bee visiting and pollinating a lovely anise hyssop flower.

Anise Hyssop is an excellent choice for planting in June. It blooms abundantly from mid-summer through early fall. Its flower spikes are typically blue-lavender to purple, depending on the variety. Hyssop’s extended bloom makes it ideal for cut flowers and mass plantings. It also adds vibrant color to your garden during the warm months.

Mature Height: 2 to 4 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 90 to 120 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 9.
Care Requirements: Plant in well-drained soil, full sun to partial shade, and water moderately.

Plant Anise Hyssop about 1/4 inch deep and sow them roughly 12 to 18 inches apart.

3. Pumpkins

Growing a small green pumpkin in the backyard garden.

Pumpkins love warm weather. While we often associate pumpkins with fall, planting them in June ensures a vibrant harvest by autumn. If you want pumpkins in time for Halloween, plant them by early June to July at the latest. Imagine carving your own jack-o’-lanterns or baking pumpkin pies from scratch!

Mature Height: Varies widely but can reach up to 2 feet or more, with the vines sprawling over 10 feet long.
Days Until Maturity: 90 to 120 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
Care Requirements: Provide fertile soil, full sun, and consistent moisture.

Plant pumpkin seeds about 1 to 2 inches deep and 3 to 5 feet apart, providing ample space for the vines to spread.

4. Basil

Blooming purple dark opal flowers growing in the garden with a visiting bee.

Basil thrives in warm weather and is the quintessential summer herb. Its aromatic leaves elevate everything from Caprese salads, pasta sauce, and pizzas to homemade pesto. Basil is also easy to grow. Position your basil plants in a sunny spot where they can receive six to eight hours of sun daily and watch them thrive.

Mature Height: 1 to 2 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 60 to 90 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11 (depending on the variety).
Care Requirements: Well-drained soil, full sun, and regular pruning. Pinch off basil tips to prompt thick, bushier growth.

Plant your basil seeds about 1/4 inch deep. Space your basil plants about 8 to 12 inches apart.

5. Cilantro

Cilantro sprouts growing in the backyard raised garden bed garden.

Cilantro is a fantastic herb to grow, especially in June. It proliferates quickly, often yielding its first harvest of leaves within 30 days after planting. It’s also a two-for-one crop. Cilantro refers to the plant’s thin, green stems and flat, lacy leaves, which are best eaten fresh. Additionally, the seeds of cilantro, known as coriander, are used as a fantastic culinary spice in Middle Eastern, Indian, and Asian cuisines.

Mature Height: 1 to 2 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 50 to 70 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
Care Requirements: Plant in rich, well-drained soil and provide partial shade in hot climates.

Plant your cilantro seeds about 1/4 inch deep and sow them roughly 6 to 8 inches apart.

6. Morning Glories

Lovely purple morning glory flowers blooming in the warm sunny weather.

Morning glories are delightful flowering plants that can add a touch of romantic color to your June or early summer garden. Morning glories blossom from during summer until the first frost of fall. Their trumpet-shaped flowers come in various shades, including pink, purple-blue, magenta, and white.

Their twining vines can be trained over pergolas, arches, or trellises, creating a beautiful vertical display. They’re perfect for filling empty spaces or covering unsightly areas.

Mature Height: Climbing vines reaching 10 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 60 to 90 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
Care Requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil, and support for climbing.

Plant morning glory seeds about 1/2 inch deep and sow them about 6 to 12 inches apart.

Caution: All morning glory seeds are poisonous, especially in large quantities. Keep them out of the reach of children and pets!

7. Melons

Ripe cantaloupe melons growing in the garden supported by string melon nets.

A perfectly ripe, locally grown melon is a delightful treat. Unlike supermarket varieties, which prioritize shelf life and firmness over flavor, backyard garden melons taste fresh and have a texture that practically melts in your mouth. Once you experience such melons, you won’t return to the supermarket types.

Consider planting different melon varieties to stagger ripening and extend the harvest window. In the Northern US, you can set out melon plants anytime after the last frost, typically from May through mid-June. In warmer areas, transplanting can occur as early as March and April.

Mature Height: Cantaloupe and watermelon plants are around 1 to 2 feet tall.
Days Until Maturity: 70 to 100 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
Care Requirements: Warm soil, full sun, and consistent moisture.

Plant watermelon seeds about 1 inch deep and space them 3 to 4 feet apart. Ensure consistent moisture for juicy fruits.

8. Zucchini

Assorted and colorful zucchini harvested and ready for cooking and eating.

Zucchini thrives in the summer heat and produces a bounty of tender, versatile, and delicious gourds. Each plant yields an abundance of squash that tastes delicious when sautéed, grilled, fried, baked, or spiralized into noodles.

Mature Height: 2 to 3 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 10.
Care Requirements: Well-drained soil, full sun, and regular harvesting.

Plant zucchini seeds about 1 inch deep. Space zucchini plants about 2 to 3 feet apart.

9. Sage (Salvia)

Lovely sage plant with healthy green leaves growing in the backyard garden.

Sage sports vibrant spikey flowers and is another excellent choice for June planting. It’s drought-tolerant and prefers full sun. Plus, it’s a favorite among pollinators, such as bees and hummingbirds. Sage is also an underrated culinary ingredient for homesteaders. Its tasty leaves wonderfully enhance roasted meats and savory dishes.

Mature Height: 1 to 2 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 70 to 90 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 9.
Care Requirements: Well-drained soil, full sun, and minimal watering.

Sow sage seeds in a sunny location. Plant them about 1/4 inch deep and space them 12 to 18 inches.

10. Cosmos

Pink cosmos flowers blooming and thriving in the garden.

These easy-to-grow flowers thrive in June’s warm weather, producing an abundance of colorful petals that dance in the summer breeze. Cosmos flowers add a pop of color to the garden and attract pollinators, including bees and butterflies, enhancing the biodiversity of your outdoor space.

Mature Height: 3 to 6 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 60 to 90 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
Care Requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil, and deadheading for continuous blooms.

Plant cosmos seeds about 1/4 inch deep and position them about 12 to 18 inches apart.

11. Sunflowers

Beautiful sunflowers blooming in the spring or summer garden.

Sunflowers are our favorite summer garden flowers! They’re tremendously easy to cultivate, famously low-maintenance, and require minimal care. You only need to provide them with soil, sunlight, and water, and they’ll thrive.

While we love planting sunflowers in June, we also plant them throughout spring and summer until mid-July. That way, we enjoy a continual flurry of sunflower blooms until late summer or early fall.

Mature Height: 3 to 12 feet or more.
Days Until Maturity: 70 to 100 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
Care Requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil, and regular watering.

Plant sunflower seeds about 1 inch deep. Space each sunflower plant 12 to 24 inches apart, depending on size. (Some sunflowers are much more giant than others!)

12. Carrots

Bright orange and delicious carrots harvested from the organic garden.

Carrots thrive in early summer’s rich, well-drained soil, reaching deep into the ground to capture nutrients and moisture. Sowing carrots in June allows for a fall harvest, as they take about 70 to 80 days to mature. They thrive in warm soil, which is typical during this time of year.

Mature Height: Carrots grow underground, so their height isn’t a factor. Tops of the plants can reach 1 foot high.
Days Until Maturity: 70 to 80 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 10.
Care Requirements: Loose, sandy soil, full sun, and consistent moisture.

Plant carrot seeds about 1/4 inch deep and position them roughly 2 to 3 inches apart.

13. Peas

Lush green peas growing in the backyard garden.

While peas are typically grown in early spring, you can still add them to your garden in June. Look for varieties with some heat tolerance and keep them well-watered to avoid any issues.

Peas also have a rare superpower. They fix nitrogen in the soil. In other words – peas transform the nitrogen found in the air into a different type of nitrogen plants can use and absorb for their growth. So, growing peas can improve the soil quality in your garden, benefiting whatever you plant in the same space in the future.

Mature Height: 2 to 6 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 60 to 70 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 9.
Care Requirements: Well-drained soil, cool temperatures, and support for climbing.

Plant pea seeds approximately 1 to 2 inches deep. Rows should be spaced 1 to 2 feet apart. Space pea plants 2 to 4 inches apart within rows.

14. Parsley

Organic parsley growing in a flower pot on a sunny day.

Parsley thrives in warm weather, making it well-suited for June planting. It can withstand the rising temperatures and still produce abundant foliage. As long as it receives adequate sunlight (preferably 6 hours per day), parsley will flourish.

Parsley is a culinary powerhouse and a yummy garnish. Add it to taubolli salad, soups, stews, casseroles, sauces, dips, and marinades. Parsley also packs loads of nutrients. It contains iron and potassium and is an underrated source of healthy vitamins A, C, and K.

Mature Height: 1 to 2 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 70 to 90 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
Care Requirements: Rich soil, partial shade, and consistent moisture.

Plant parsley seeds about 1/4 inch deep and position them roughly 6 to 8 inches apart. Harvest leaves as needed for fresh flavor.

15. Butternut Squash

Small butternut squash growing on a vine along a thick rocky bed.

Butternut squash is one of our favorite and most shelf-stable garden crops. Its nutty-flavored fruits are versatile and delicious. The best part is that butternut squash has a long shelf life of up to a year, so big harvests are always welcome. Use them in savory dishes, baked into pies, or sauteed alongside your favorite veggies and meat in an epic stir fry.

Mature Height: Vines are relatively short, less than 2 feet tall, but spread to 10 feet long or more.
Days Until Maturity: 90 to 110 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
Care Requirements: Fertile soil, full sun, and regular watering.

Plant butternut squash seeds about 1 inch deep and space them 2 to 4 feet apart.

16. Bunching Onions (Green Onions)

bright green onions growing in the organic backyard garden.

Unlike bulb onions, bunching onions (AKA green onions or scallions) are perfect for June planting. They don’t require a long growing season and are ideal for adding a savory flavor to homemade goodies. Use them as a garnish, add them to salads, or incorporate them into stir-fries, stews, and soups. Their slender green stalks add mild onion flavor to savory meals.

Mature Height: 1 to 2 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
Care Requirements: Well-drained soil, full sun, and consistent moisture.

Plant bunching onions about 1/4 inch deep and sow them roughly 2 to 4 inches apart. Harvest the green tops as needed for fresh flavor.

17. Corn

Yummy and ripe corn growing in the backyard plot.

As the summer heat settles in June, it’s the perfect time to sow the seeds of abundance – corn. These tall stalks, with their golden tassels and emerald leaves, thrive in the long days and warm nights of early summer, reaching for the sky to produce ears of sweet, juicy kernels.

We love freshly harvested corn as a side dish, added to salads, or used in salsas, roll-up sandwiches, casseroles, and soups. Corn is a feel-good crop. The rustling leaves of corn plants create a soothing melody in the breeze, attracting birds and other wildlife to the garden.

Mature Height: 6 to 10 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 60 to 100 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 10.
Care Requirements: Full sun and regular watering. Plant in blocks for superior pollination. Corn is a heavy-hitting crop and feeder, so it needs adequate nutrients.

Plant your corn seeds about 1 to 2 inches deep. Space your corn plants around 12 to 18 inches apart.

18. Potatoes

Fresh organic potaotes harvested from the backyard garden.

Contrary to popular belief, you don’t need to plant potatoes in early spring. Early-maturing potato cultivars reach harvest time in only 75 to 95 days, making June the ideal growing time for many USDA growing zones. So, forget early spring. June is perfect for planting potatoes! Choose varieties like Yukon Gold, Red Pontiac, Kennebec, or Norland for a tasty and speedy harvest.

Mature Height: 2 to 3 feet tall.
Days Until Maturity: 70 to 120 days. (Choose fast-growing cultivars for a June planting.)
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 9.
Care Requirements: Loose, well-drained soil, full sun, and hilling (covering stems with soil).

Plant potato tubers about 4 to 6 inches deep. Space each tuber 12 to 15 inches apart. Hill up soil around the plants as they grow to encourage tuber development.

19. Dill

Massive dill plantation growing in the garden.

Dill is a lovely, feathery herb with delicate fronds and a fresh, citrusy aroma. It thrives in the warmth of early summer, basking in the sun’s golden rays. I love using dill to flavor salads, pickles, sauces, meaty stews, seafood, or dips. Either way, dill planted in June becomes a versatile herb that elevates every dish with its bright, citrusy presence.

Mature Height: 2 to 3 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 60 to 90 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
Care Requirements: Well-drained soil, full sun, and moderate watering.

Plant dill seeds about 1/4 inch deep and sow them about 12 to 18 inches apart.

20. Lavender

Harvesting some lovely lavender from the backyard garden.

Lavender is a heat-loving tropical that adds elegance to any garden. You can use harvested lavender to make homemade sachets, syrups, tinctures, potpourri, oils, baked goods, infusions, and teas. Either way, lavender planted in June becomes a cherished herb that soothes the senses and uplifts the spirit. Bees also love lavender nectar, so we sow it readily.

Mature Height: 1 to 3 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 90 to 120 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 5 to 9.
Care Requirements: Once established, lavender needs well-drained soil, full sun, and minimal water.

Plant lavender seeds about 1/4 inch deep and position them 1around 2 to 18 inches apart. Prune the plants after flowering to maintain shape.

21. Beans

Tender green and crisp green beans ready to steam or toss into a fresh and yummy casserole.

Various bean cultivars thrive in the warmth of early summer, producing a bounty of crisp, flavorful pods that are nutritious and delicious. Planting beans in June helps ensure a yummy, nourishing crop for stir-fries, sautéed dishes, soups, and fresh, homemade garden salads. Like peas, bush and pole beans add nitrogen to the soil and provide a steady supply of crisp pods.

Mature Height: Vining varieties are around 6 or 8 feet. Bush varieties are shorter, around 2 or 3 feet.
Days Until Maturity: 50 to 70 days.
Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
Care Requirements: Well-drained soil, full sun, and support for climbing.

Plant bean seeds about 1 to 2 inches deep. Space bean plants 4 to 6 inches apart. If you plant in rows, offer around 2 or 3 feet per row.

What to plant in June for an abundant spring and summer garden 21 crops.

Conclusion

Thanks for reading our June planting guide! June is one of the most ideal times to plant a backyard garden in many parts of the USA, and these 21 crops are our top picks across diverse growing zones!

What about you?

Are you planting a summer garden this year?
Are you growing herbs, veggies, flowers, fruits, or a mixture?
Do you have enough pollinators in your yard and garden?
Are you growing from seeds? Or will you find some baby seedlings at your favorite plant nursery?
What are your favorite summer garden crops to grow?

We’re avid June gardeners and hope to hear from like-minded herb nerds!

Thanks again for reading.

Have a great day!

4 Comments

Druid Jo says:

June 6, 2024 at 11:46 pm

I am sure that Kathy Judge and her kids will love the sunflower room. We did that with our girls years ago. Find some old rugs that you can take out to sit on. Or, for a fun rain project try a t-shirt rug. I am in zone 6, so I start just about everything inside. This year I was using up old seeds, and decided to try outside in early May. My garden is awesome right now. I have corn chest high and broccoli and cauliflower are starting to head. I have harvest moon squash taking over an entire bed, because the frost killed them, so I re-seeded….and they came back to life. The only other thing in there is the corn….and some volunteer sunflowers that are 6′ tall already and have heads….and yes, it is June 6th and I planted sunflower seeds today.

1. Mike D says:
  
  June 8, 2024 at 5:48 pm
  
  Hi Druid Jo! 🌻
  
  Thanks for sharing your gardening ventures with us!
  
  I agree with you. Kathy and her kids are in for a treat with that sunflower room! 🌞
  
  Your garden sounds like a thriving ecosystem—corn, broccoli, cauliflower, and even resurrected squash! Impressive! 🌱
  
  I hail in Massachusetts, so I can relate to dancing with the seasons to get crops to grow and getting beat by the frost!
  
  I am thankful that my crops (tomatoes, squash, beans, and pumpkins) are growing beautifully so far.
  
  And yes, I also have a ton of surprise sunflowers growing. (I feed the birds tons of sunflower seeds, so now sunflowers are growing randomly everywhere. I love it. It’s nature’s real-world chaos garden!)
  
  Thanks again for reading.
  
  Have an excellent day!!!
  
  Cordially,
  
  Mike D
  
Kathy Judge says:

May 29, 2024 at 9:56 pm

I plant according to your recommendations! You named most of my favorites, but what about spinach? My new fun project this year is the sunflower room (planting in a circle with an entrance). Kids can’t wait. You are my garden’s North Star. Thank you!

1. Mike D says:
  
  June 8, 2024 at 5:53 pm
  
  Hey Kathy!
  
  I’m thrilled to hear you’ve found our June planting guide helpful!
  
  We also agree with you. Spinach is a fantastic addition, and I’ll be sure to include it in future recommendations.
  
  The sunflower room sounds like a magical experience for the kids – what a wonderful idea!
  
  Keep following that North Star, and happy gardening to you and your little helpers.
  
  Thank you again for your kind words! 🌻✨
  
  (You made our day!)
  
  Cordially,
  
  Mike D