It’s June and I’m well aware most gardeners have already finished filling their vegetable beds. But you shouldn’t throw in the towel just yet.
This is the perfect time to plant some veggies and help them reach their fullest potential. In turn, they’ll reward you with the high yield you always dreamed of.
I mean, it’s not like you’re not spending time in your garden anyway. The veggies you planted in early and mid-spring are in the peak of the growing season, so you’re either weeding or watering them.
While you’re at it, just plant new vegetables and bring some extra flavor to your dining table!
Now we just need to zero in on the veggies for June. Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered! Here is the cream of the crop for June!
1. Carrots Flourish In Warm Weather
Many of you have probably already planted carrots in your home garden. Did you know that June is the perfect time to sow a couple more rows of carrots and prolong the season?
If you still don’t have any carrots in your veggie patch, I highly recommend starting them. They don’t take up a lot of space and they’re perfect candidates for containers.
I always plant carrots in June because I’ve had serious issues with carrot root flies and these pests typically attack early crops.
Once you purchase carrot seeds, you need to find a sunny spot and plant them in high-quality, free-draining soil.
2. Unlock The Summer Growth Potential Of Parsnips
Another root veggie that thrives if planted in June is delicious parsnip.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned from growing parsnips for over 5 years, it’s that the soil condition is the crucial factor.
Some growers claim that these plants can tolerate different soil types. I disagree! Clay and soils are prone to waterlogging, which is the biggest enemy of parsnips.
Prepare the soil well before planting by forking, tilling, and raking it. Don’t forget to remove any rocks, weeds, or debris and add half an inch of soil over the newly planted seeds.
I have to warn you that pests enjoy munching on parsnips, but it’s nothing that good old companion planting can’t fix! Simply plant some garlic or chives nearby, and you’re good to go!
3. Warm Soil, Strong Broccoli
Sorry kids, but broccoli is healthy and delicious!
You can choose between the two most common types: calabrese and sprouting broccoli. The first are the ones with big heads, while the latter have smaller florets.
The great news is that both types will perform fantastically if planted in June!
Start by raking and weeding the ground and then sow the seeds in rows, paying close attention to how much space you leave for each broccoli.
I always leave more space (about 3 inches), and once the seeds germinate I thin the seedlings to get approximately 20 inches between each plant.
Give your broccoli water regularly and feed them a few times during the season with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
You should also consider protecting your broccoli plants with a mesh net because those annoying cabbage white butterflies seem to enjoy them!
4. Chard Reaches Its Peak In The Heat
If you like chard, you still have time to plant it! By sowing the seeds in June, you get a late harvest of delicious and nutritious leaves!
I love Swiss chard for one more reason: it adds a special touch of beauty to my outdoor garden.
You may notice that the seeds of this veggie are slightly larger, so make sure you plant them in 1-inch deep holes. Leave about 4 inches of space between each hole.
Chard is a sun-loving veggie and grows best in well-draining soil with plenty of organic matter.
Oh, and did I mention that this is one of the fastest-growing veggies out there? You can harvest baby leaves after only a month. Incredible, right?
5. Sun-Kissed Fennel Is The Best Fennel
And now we have one of those vegetables you either love or hate. If you belong to the first group, I have great news! Fragrant fennel is incredibly easy to grow!
Once June arrives, you can put the seeds in the ground about half an inch deep.
It typically takes 2 weeks for the fennel seeds to germinate, and once they do, thin the seedlings so that there’s approximately 15 inches of space between each fennel plant.
6. Beet The Heat: Beets Also Enjoy Warm Temperatures
Are you a beginner grower? If so, I have a perfect vegetable for you. Beets don’t require a lot to thrive and will produce leaves even if you neglect them a bit. I also call it a veggie for lazy gardeners. 😉
Experienced gardeners have probably planted beets but why not use the opportunity for succession sowing in June? Your dinners in late summer will have a new headliner on the menu!
Make sure to plant your beets before the temperatures go above 75 degrees Fahrenheit. For most USDA zones, this will be in early or mid-June.
7. Sunlit Soil Is The Secret For Thriving Okra
If you don’t have a lot of time for watering your vegetables, okra is the best choice for you! It also loves warm weather and is perfect for USDA zones 8 and above.
Make shallow holes, plant the okra seeds, and thin them after they germinate so that there’s about 12 inches of space between each plant.
Guess what? The more you pick this veggie, the more it will grow!
Ready to add some sizzle to your garden this June? These 7 veggies will soak up the summer sun and yield a bumper harvest!