What to Sow in June

What to Sow in June: Get Your Garden Growing

The June gardening calendar is packed with opportunities for sowing directly into the soil. This month offers a final chance to plant many crops for a substantial late summer and autumn harvest, and also provides the perfect time to sow for continuous yields and early autumn crops.

• Direct sow fast-growing vegetables for summer harvests.
• Plant maincrop root vegetables and brassicas now.
• Consider succession sowing for continuous produce.
• Start tender crops under protection for autumn.

As temperatures stabilise and the days are long, June is an active month for gardeners. While some may have started tender plants indoors earlier, direct sowing in open ground becomes more reliable. This means fewer transplanting worries and more vigorous growth for many popular vegetables and flowers. The key is to select varieties that mature within the remaining growing season or those specifically suited for later harvests.

Choosing what to sow in June depends on your climate zone, the specific varieties of plants you select, and your desired harvest time. For many regions, it's about maximising the summer bounty and preparing for the autumn. This often involves sowing quick-maturing crops for immediate results and planning for later displays and harvests.

Vegetables to Sow in June

June is a prime time for sowing a wide array of vegetables. Fast-growing salad crops like lettuce, spinach, and radishes can be sown successively every few weeks for a continuous supply. Bush beans and climbing beans are ideal for direct sowing now, provided the soil is warm enough. Carrots can still be sown, especially quicker maturing varieties, and beetroot offers reliable results.

Brassicas such as calabrese, sprouting broccoli, and kale are excellent candidates for June sowing. These tend to mature later, providing harvests well into autumn and even winter. Swede and autumn cabbage varieties also benefit from a June start. Root vegetables like parsnips, although slow to germinate, are best sown now to allow them ample time to develop large roots before the ground hardens off.

For those wanting to grow peas, June sowings of certain varieties can still yield a crop, particularly if you choose quicker types. Sweetcorn sown now will thrive in the warm soil and long days, maturing for a late summer treat. Marrows and pumpkins, if started indoors earlier, can be transplanted out in June, or very quick varieties can sometimes be sown directly into a very warm, sheltered spot if your season is long enough.

Flowers for June Sowing

Many popular annual flowers can be sown directly into the ground in June, taking advantage of the warm soil and long daylight hours. Cosmos, especially the more compact varieties, along with zinnias, sunflowers, and marigolds, will flower prolifically through summer and into autumn. These are excellent for cutting and adding vibrant colour to your garden.

Hardy annuals that might have been sown earlier can still be sown now for later blooms. Flowers like calendula, cornflowers, and poppies will provide a cheerful display if sown in June. They are also excellent for attracting beneficial insects and pollinators to your garden, contributing to a healthy ecosystem.

Consider sowing some biennials now, such as foxgloves and wallflowers, which will establish this year and flower next spring and summer. While this requires patience, it’s a rewarding way to ensure continuous blooms in subsequent seasons. For summer bedding plants that may have finished their show, a June sowing of quick-flowering annuals can fill gaps and extend the season of colour.

→ What to Plant in March

When deciding what to sow in June, always consider your local climate and the specific maturity time of the variety you choose.

Herbs and Other Edibles to Plant

June is also a good month for sowing herbs directly into the soil or planting out young herb plants. Basil, which is sensitive to cold, thrives when sown now in a warm, sunny spot or planted out after the last frost risk has passed. Coriander and dill can also be sown for fresh leaves throughout summer.

For those interested in fruits, strawberry runners can be planted now to establish for a good crop next year. If you're keen on microgreens or salad leaves, June is an ideal time to sow these indoors or outdoors in succession for a constant supply of nutritious greens.

Ensure soil is well-prepared before sowing; clear weeds, add compost, and lightly fork it over to create a fine tilth, which aids germination and seedling establishment.

Alternative Sowing Strategies for June

Beyond direct sowing, June is also opportune for starting some plants under protection for autumn harvests or for extending the season. Consider sowing quick-maturing leeks or autumn-sown onions in modules or trays under cover. These can then be transplanted out later in the summer once they have developed sufficient strength.

For those in cooler climates or with shorter growing seasons, using cloches, cold frames, or polytunnels can extend the sowing window. This allows tender crops or slower-maturing varieties to get a head start or complete their development before autumn frosts arrive. Planting out hardened-off tender crops like tomatoes, peppers, and aubergines is often best done in June, once the risk of frost has completely passed and the soil has warmed.

Succession sowing remains a vital strategy in June. Rather than sowing all your crops at once, divide your sowing into smaller batches every two to three weeks. This staggered approach prevents gluts and ensures a steady supply of produce throughout the summer and into early autumn, making the most of your garden space and effort.

What Can Be Planted Now for Late Summer and Autumn

What can be planted now for late summer and autumn harvests? June is a crucial month for sowing crops that will mature from August through to October, and even into early winter. This includes many staple vegetables and decorative flowers that benefit from the long, warm days to establish themselves.

Root Vegetables and Brassicas

For root vegetables, June is a good time to sow maincrop carrots, parsnips, and turnips. While parsnips require a long growing season and are best sown early, a June sowing can still yield usable roots if varieties are chosen carefully. Radishes sown in June will mature quickly, and successive sowings will provide a continuous supply. Swedes and autumn cabbage varieties should also be sown this month to mature for autumn. Sprouting broccoli and kale, which are very hardy, can be sown now for harvests that will continue through winter.

→ Vegetable Seeds to Sow Now UK: Seasonal Planting

Leafy Greens and Legumes

Continuous sowing of lettuce, spinach, rocket, and mustard greens is recommended for a steady supply. These fast-growing crops are ideal for filling gaps and providing fresh salads. Peas and beans, including French beans (bush and climbing) and runner beans, are excellent choices for June sowing. Ensure the soil has warmed sufficiently to prevent germination issues.

To ensure good germination for beans and peas, soak seeds overnight before sowing.

Flowers for Seasonal Colour

To ensure colour through late summer and into autumn, June is the time to sow annuals like sunflowers, zinnias, cosmos, and calendula directly into the ground. These vibrant flowers not only brighten the garden but also attract pollinators. For blooms next year, consider sowing biennials such as foxgloves, sweet williams, and wallflowers this month. They will grow strong root systems and develop into robust plants for spring flowering.

Extending the Harvest Window

Using horticultural fleece or cloches can protect young sowings from pests like slugs and flea beetle, ensuring better crop establishment. For areas with shorter growing seasons, starting crops like leeks, calabrese, and Brussels sprouts under protection in modules allows them to develop before being transplanted into their final positions. This method helps ensure they reach maturity before the onset of cooler weather.

The approach of preparing beds with compost and ensuring adequate spacing according to plant requirements will significantly improve the success rate of June sowings. This careful planning ensures that plants have the best possible start to grow into productive and beautiful additions to the garden.

Succession Planting and Continuous Yields in June

Succession planting in June is about maximising your harvest by sowing crops at intervals, ensuring a continuous supply rather than a single, overwhelming glut. This technique is particularly effective for fast-maturing crops and is key to extending the growing season for many vegetables and salads.

Salads and Greens

For crops like lettuce, rocket, spinach, and radishes, a simple rule applies: sow little and often. Instead of sowing a large batch all at once, divide your sowing into thirds or quarters. Sow one batch at the beginning of June, another in mid-June, and a final one towards the end of the month. This ensures that as one sowing matures and is harvested, the next is ready or nearly ready. This strategy is vital for maintaining a fresh supply of salad leaves throughout the summer and into autumn.

Root Crops and Beans

Carrots and beetroot also benefit from succession sowing, though their maturity times are longer. Sow quick-maturing carrot varieties every three to four weeks for a continuous harvest of young, tender roots. Similarly, sowing beetroot in batches can provide a steady supply of both roots and delicious leaves. Bush beans, which mature faster than their climbing counterparts, can also be sown in batches a couple of weeks apart to stagger their cropping period.

Check the days to maturity on seed packets; this helps you plan successive sowing intervals accurately for continuous harvests.

→ Fast Growing Seeds for May Sowing for Instant Blooms

Herbs for Constant Supply

Many herbs, especially annuals like basil, dill, and coriander, can be sown successively. Basil, in particular, dislikes cold and is best sown in June after the last frost, but successive sowings every two to three weeks will ensure you have a fresh supply for cooking. Coriander can bolt (go to seed) quickly in hot weather, so sowing small amounts regularly is the best way to keep it producing tender leaves.

Extending Floral Displays

It's not just vegetables that benefit from succession planting. For a continuous display of colourful annual flowers, sow quick-flowering varieties like zinnias, cosmos, and marigolds in batches a few weeks apart. This ensures that as the first sowings finish flowering, subsequent ones are coming into bloom, providing a long-lasting spectacle throughout the summer and into autumn. This approach can transform a garden from having periods of peak bloom to a more consistent and prolonged display.

What to Plant in Pots and Containers in June

What to plant in pots and containers in June? Container gardening offers flexibility, allowing you to grow a variety of plants even in small spaces or on patios. June is an excellent time to plant out many herbs, salads, and decorative flowers into pots and window boxes, taking advantage of established warmer conditions.

Herbs for Pots

Herbs thrive in containers, as they offer good drainage and can be placed in sunny spots. Basil is a star performer in pots, but needs warmth. Mint, chives, parsley, thyme, and rosemary are all well-suited to container growing and can be sown directly into pots or planted as young plants. These herbs are relatively low maintenance and provide a constant supply for culinary use.

Salads and Greens in Containers

Growing salad leaves and fast-maturing greens in pots and window boxes is incredibly rewarding. Lettuce varieties, rocket, spinach, and radishes can be sown directly into containers. Choose deep enough containers to allow roots to develop, and ensure they have drainage holes. Successive sowing applies equally to containers, ensuring a continuous harvest of fresh greens right up to autumn.

Use a good quality, peat-free potting compost for containers; it offers better aeration and water retention than garden soil.

Flowers for Containers

Containers are ideal for vibrant displays of flowers. Many annuals that are sown in June perform exceptionally well in pots, including petunias, geraniums (pelargoniums), lobelia, and marigolds. These add colour and life to balconies, patios, and windowsills. For a longer-lasting display, consider planting a mix of plants with different flowering times or growth habits.

Consider planting spring bulbs that have finished flowering in the garden into pots for a fresh display. Also, planting out plug plants or young plants of popular bedding varieties in June will quickly fill containers with colour. Hanging baskets are particularly suited to trailing plants like fuchsias, lobelia, and ivy-leaved geraniums.

Vegetables in Pots

Several vegetables are well-suited for container growing. Bush beans, dwarf peas, and spring onions can all be grown successfully in larger pots or grow bags. Tomatoes, especially dwarf or 'bush' varieties, are a popular choice for containers, requiring a large pot and regular feeding and watering. Peppers and chillies also do well in pots, provided they are in a sunny, sheltered location.

When selecting plants for pots, look for compact or dwarf varieties specifically bred for container cultivation. This ensures you get a good yield without the plants becoming too large for their confines. Adequate watering is crucial for container-grown vegetables, as they can dry out more quickly than those in the ground.