What to Plant in June: Essential Crops for Your Garden and Allotment

Introduction
June heralds the true start of the gardening season. With longer daylight hours, warmer soil temperatures, and reliable rainfall (in most regions), June is the perfect month to sow, transplant, and direct-seed a wide range of summer crops. Whether you’re tending a small backyard plot or a sprawling allotment, strategic planting now will set you up for a bumper harvest come late summer and autumn. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential crops to plant in June, covering vegetables, herbs, and flowers, plus best practices for soil preparation, succession planting, and common pitfalls to avoid. Read on to make the most of your June planting calendar and ensure your garden and allotment flourish.

Why June Is a Key Month for Planting

• Optimal Soil Temperatures: By June, soil temperatures consistently exceed 10–12 °C (50–54 °F), ideal for germination of many warm-weather crops.
• Extended Daylight: Longer days (up to 16 hours of daylight in northern latitudes) boost photosynthesis and accelerate plant growth.
• Frost-Free Zone: In most temperate regions, the risk of late frost has passed, allowing tender crops like tomatoes and courgettes to thrive outdoors.
• Pest and Disease Management: Early planting helps you stay ahead of common pests; fast-growing crops can be harvested before infestations peak.

June’s unique combination of warmth, light, and moisture makes it a pivotal month in the garden planting schedule, perfect for both direct-sown seeds and setting out transplants.

Preparing Your Garden and Allotment in June

1. Soil Testing and Enrichment
   • Conduct a simple pH test; most vegetables prefer pH 6.0–7.0.
   • Incorporate well-rotted compost or manure to boost soil fertility and structure.
2. Bed Preparation
   • Clear out spent spring crops and weeds.
   • Fork over beds to aerate the soil; remove stones and debris.
3. Mulching and Irrigation
   • Apply a 5 cm layer of organic mulch (straw, wood chips) to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
   • Install drip irrigation or soaker hoses for consistent watering.
4. Crop Rotation
   • Rotate families (e.g., do not follow potatoes with tomatoes) to prevent soil-borne diseases and nutrient depletion.

Proper preparation ensures strong root development and higher yields for your June planted crops.

Top Vegetables to Plant in June

Below are six of the most rewarding and reliable vegetables to sow or transplant in June:

1. Potatoes

• Method: Plant seed potatoes in trenches 10 cm deep, 30 cm apart.
• Varieties: Maris Piper, Charlotte, and new potatoes like Rocket perform well.
• Care: Hill soil around emerging shoots to encourage tuber formation and prevent greening.

2. Carrots

• Method: Sow directly in drills 1 cm deep; thin seedlings to 5 cm apart.
• Soil: Light, sandy loam helps straight growth; remove clods and stones.
• Timing: Mid-June sowings yield crisp, sweet carrots well into autumn.

3. Broad Beans

• Method: Sow dwarf varieties in trenches or plant taller types in sheltered, sunny spots.
• Support: Provide bamboo canes for climbing beans.
• Harvest: Pick beans when pods are full and green for best flavour.

4. Courgettes (Zucchini)

• Method: Transplant hardened-off seedlings or sow directly under cloches.
• Spacing: 1 m apart to allow good airflow.
• Pests: Watch for squash bugs and powdery mildew; ensure adequate spacing.

5. Lettuce and Leafy Greens

• Method: Succession sow varieties (e.g., Little Gem, Oakleaf) every 2–3 weeks.
• Shade: Partial afternoon shade reduces bolting in hot weather.
• Harvest: Cut-and-come-again method yields continual salad leaves.

6. Tomatoes

• Method: Plant out indeterminate and bush varieties once all risk of frost has passed.
• Supports: Use stakes, cages, or strings; tie stems carefully.
• Feeding: Apply tomato feed high in potassium to boost fruiting.

These summer vegetables flourish in June’s conditions, offering a succession of fresh produce through to autumn.

Herbs and Flowers to Sow in June

Herbs

• Basil: Sow in pots or beds; pinching back encourages bushier growth.
• Coriander & Dill: Direct-sown for fresh leaves; mulch to retain moisture.
• Parsley & Chives: Semi-shade tolerant; ideal between taller crops.

Companion Flowers

• Nasturtiums: Edible flowers deter aphids from tomatoes and beans.
• Marigolds: Natural nematode repellent; plant around potato beds.
• Sunflowers: Provide shelter for young seedlings and attract pollinators.

Incorporating companion planting and aromatic herbs boosts biodiversity, deters pests, and enhances garden health.

Succession Planting and Maximising Yield

• Staggered Sowing: Sow fast-maturing crops (radishes, baby carrots) in intervals to avoid glut.
• Relay Crops: After harvesting early peas, sow late summer crops like kale or Swiss chard.
• Vertical Space: Grow climbing beans or peas up trellises to free ground space for salad leaves.
• Intercropping: Combine slow and fast growers (e.g., cabbage with radishes) to make efficient use of bed space.

By planning sowing dates and combining crops smartly, you’ll ensure a continuous harvest and make the most of your garden real estate.

Common June Planting Mistakes to Avoid

1. Overwatering: Water deeply but infrequently; avoid waterlogged soil that leads to root rot.
2. Planting Too Early: Wait until soil temperatures are stable above 10 °C for warmth-loving crops.
3. Neglecting Pest Patrols: Regularly inspect leaves for slugs, snails, and aphids—early intervention prevents infestations.
4. Crowding Plants: Give each crop its recommended spacing to reduce competition and disease spread.
5. Ignoring Fertiliser Needs: Side-dress or feed crops like tomatoes and courgettes with a balanced feed mid-season.

Avoiding these pitfalls ensures your June planting thrives rather than struggles.

Conclusion

June is undeniably one of the most pivotal months in the gardening calendar. With careful preparation, smart crop choices, and ongoing maintenance, you’ll capitalise on the season’s warmth and light to yield a bountiful harvest from your garden or allotment. From staple vegetables like potatoes and carrots to aromatic herbs and vibrant companion flowers, the crops you plant this month will reward you with fresh produce and beautiful blooms for months to come. Embrace succession planting, stay vigilant against pests, and remember that June’s enthusiasm can lead to late-season success with just a little strategic planning. Happy planting!

Top 10 Questions & Answers

1. What soil temperature is best for June planting?
   Ideal soil temperatures are between 10–12 °C (50–54 °F) for germination of most warm-season crops.
2. Can I direct-sow tomatoes in June?
   Yes—once all risk of frost has passed, direct-sow tender tomato seedlings or plant on transplants into well-drained soil.
3. How deep should I plant potatoes in June?
   Plant seed potatoes about 10 cm deep, spacing them 30 cm apart in trenches.
4. What’s the best way to prevent bolting in lettuce?
   Provide partial shade, mulch to keep roots cool, and succession-sow fast varieties every 2–3 weeks.
5. Which flowers help deter pests in an allotment?
   Marigolds, nasturtiums, and calendula repel nematodes and aphids when interplanted.
6. How often should I water newly sown June crops?
   Water deeply once or twice weekly, depending on rainfall, rather than daily light sprinkling.
7. What herbs can I sow in June?
   Basil, coriander, dill, parsley, and chives all thrive when sown in June.
8. Is mulching necessary in June?
   Yes—mulch retains moisture, suppresses weeds, and maintains even soil temperatures.
9. How do I practice succession planting?
   Sow a new crop in intervals (e.g., every 2–3 weeks) and follow early-harvested plants with later crops (relay cropping).
10. What common mistakes should I avoid?
    Avoid overwatering, crowding plants, and planting too early; stay on pest patrol for slugs and aphids.