Gardening season is in full swing, and with every degree of warming weather, growing conditions in our vegetable patches improve.
In June, warm soil and frequent sunshine create the ideal conditions for many crops to thrive. It's the opportune moment to sow a wide range of vegetables and reap the rewards within weeks or even harvest throughout winter.
"Summer is finally approaching, and we start to see the start of warmer and sunnier days and lighter evenings. There is still a lot you can grow in June, but you can also start to reap the benefits of your growing journey earlier in the year," says Julian Palphramand, head of plants at British Garden Centres.
While early summer is an excellent time to start a colourful range of vegetables, it's too late for bare-root plants. These need to go in the ground while still dormant, typically during winter and early spring.
Vegetables you can sow in June
Pea varieties
Garden peas, mangetout and sugar snap peas can still be sown in June, although it's worth noting that this is towards the end of the sowing window for sugar snaps.
These prefer cooler temperatures, and plants started now will mature during the hottest months of the year, making them more vulnerable to powdery mildew and pests.
"Peas need regular watering, especially during dry spells and if sown now will be ready to pick in September," says Julian. "Sow the seeds 2-3 inches apart in 2-3 inches deep drills and don’t forget to support them with bamboo canes as they start to grow."
Beans
June is an excellent time to sow beans, although they'll need support from a bamboo teepee or bean netting strung between poles.
"Sow beans directly into the ground, and plant 5cm deep and 15cm apart," Julian advises. "Once the pods begin to form, feed them a liquid tomato feed. It takes 12 to 14 weeks for early bean varieties to reach maturity, while it takes 16 weeks for maincrop beans."
Broccoli
Broccoli grows best in fertile, moisture-retentive and well-drained soil. After sowing, keep the soil consistently moist by watering regularly.
"You should allow 35 cm between seeds and 45 cm between rows for broccoli," the expert says. "Plant seeds in drills of 1 to 2cm. Seedlings and seed beds should be covered with fleece to keep cabbage root flies away. Water every 10-14 days during dry weather. A high-nitrogen fertiliser can help with growth."
Leeks
Sowing leeks now will provide harvests throughout winter, so June is the ideal planting window if you're hoping to use them in hearty soups and stews.
"To sow leek seeds, draw a straight line in the soil about 1cm/1/4in deep. Spread the seeds evenly 2cm/3/4in apart, and firm down the soil gently over the seeds," says Julian. "If making a second row, space it around 10cm/4in apart from the first row."
You'll know your leeks are ready to harvest once the shaft reaches 3cm high. Leave them in the ground over winter and harvest as needed until March of the following year.
Salad crops
Salad crops – including beetroot, chard, lettuce, rocket and radish – can all still be sown in June. These fast-growing varieties can often be harvested within weeks, providing a steady supply of ingredients for refreshing summer salads.
"Continue succession sowing every few weeks, so you have a bountiful supply for the months to come," says Julian.
Cucurbits
Courgettes, squash and pumpkins can all be sown directly into the ground in June. Better still, doing so should provide harvest-ready pumpkins and winter squashes by autumn.
"They love to be planted in full sun," says Julian. "Compact varieties will require only 1m between plants, whereas the more sprawling varieties, like pumpkins, will need about 8ft between plants."
Spring onion
June is also a great time to sow spring onions. Because they don't need much space to grow, they're particularly well-suited to smaller gardens.
"Sow the seeds directly into the ground, ideally in an open, sunny site," says Richard Barker, horticultural expert and commercial director of LBS Horticulture. "Once seedlings appear, thin them out to 5cm apart. Spring onions can usually be harvested around 8 weeks after planting, and you can sow seeds every few weeks for a continuous crop."
Pak Choi
Pak choi is easy to grow now, although it can struggle in prolonged hot weather, so choose a spot in partial shade. To reduce slug damage, Richard recommends starting them in pots.
"Sow seeds in moist compost in small pots, thinning out seedlings to two per pot and keeping them well watered," he says. "When the seedlings reach 5cm tall, they can be planted out. Keep them well watered to stop them from bolting, and you can also cover them with horticultural fleece to protect them from airborne pests.
"Young leaves can be harvested after 30 days, and after 45 days the plants will have developed a 'heart' that can be harvested."
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Wanda Sachs is the Multiplatform Writer for Country Living and House Beautiful, exploring the latest in gardening, wildlife and sustainable living alongside interiors and property. She is particularly interested in human-interest stories, the intersection of design and pop culture, and the evolving relationship between urban and rural life. Previously, she served as Associate Editor at The Berliner in Berlin, where she reported on culture and fashion. Wanda studied English and German at the Goethe University Frankfurt and Exeter University.
