What to Plant in June in the UK

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June is when the UK growing season properly shifts from “getting started” to “keeping up”.

Most of the danger from late frost has passed, the soil is warm, and plants grow quickly. Seeds germinate faster, tender crops can usually go outside, and the garden starts filling up with beans, courgettes, tomatoes, salad crops and summer flowers.

But June is not just about planting more.

It is also the month when watering, pests, supports, feeding and succession sowing start to matter much more. A garden that looked tidy in May can suddenly become crowded, dry, slug-chewed or covered in aphids if you take your eye off it.

In this guide, we’ll look at what to plant in June in the UK, what you can still sow, what to plant out, and what needs managing as summer growth speeds up.

If you’re looking for a broader overview of how outdoor growing fits together through the year, see the HomeGrower Guide to Outdoor Growing.

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June Is the Great Filling Month

June can feel slightly frustrating at first.

You are watering more, weeding more, tying plants in, checking for pests, and still not always harvesting much more than salad leaves, herbs and the odd radish.

This is normal.

Gardeners sometimes call this awkward early-season period the “hungry gap”. The winter crops are mostly finished, but the full summer abundance has not quite arrived yet.

June is the month when the garden fills out before the heavier harvests of July and August. Beans climb, courgettes bulk up, tomatoes start flowering, potatoes swell underground, and strawberries begin to ripen.

If June feels like all work and not much reward, hang in there. Strawberries, new potatoes, peas, beans and courgettes are not far away.

It may not feel like peak harvest time yet, but the work you do in June sets up the rest of summer.

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What to Plant in June: Quick Guide

June is still a very productive sowing month.

You may be too late for a few early starts, but there is still plenty you can sow directly outdoors.

Sow Outdoors

• Carrots
• Beetroot
• Lettuce
• Rocket
• Radish
• Spring onions
• Chard
• French beans
• Runner beans
• Dwarf beans
• Courgettes
• Squash
• Pumpkins
• Sweetcorn
• Peas
• Turnips
• Swede
• Kale
• Cabbage
• Purple sprouting broccoli
• Pak choi
• Coriander
• Dill
• Parsley

Plant Outside

• Tomatoes
• Courgettes
• Cucumbers
• Pumpkins
• Squash
• French beans
• Runner beans
• Sweetcorn
• Peppers in warm sheltered spots
• Chillies in warm sheltered spots
• Basil
• Lettuce
• Brassicas
• Summer bedding plants

Keep Succession Sowing

• Lettuce
• Rocket
• Radish
• Spring onions
• Beetroot
• Carrots
• Coriander
• Dill

June is a good month for filling gaps. If something failed in May, was eaten by slugs, or never germinated, you still have time to try again.

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☀️ The June Shift: Warmth Helps, But Water Matters

June is usually easier than May for tender crops because nights are warmer and frost is much less likely.

But the trade-off is water.

Seedlings that struggled with cold in spring can now struggle with dry compost, hot greenhouse conditions and sudden wilting. Raised beds, containers and small pots can dry out quickly, especially during dry spells.

June is the month where plants often look fine in the morning and miserable by late afternoon.

The aim is not to water constantly. It is to water properly.

A deep soak every few days is usually better than a quick splash on the surface every day, especially for plants growing in beds. Pots and containers may need checking more often.

If June turns dry, water storage becomes much more useful. If you already have a butt, see our guide on how to install a water butt. If you still need one, our guide to the best water butts for UK gardens compares practical options for patios, sheds, greenhouses and larger gardens.

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What to Sow or Plant Outside in June

Use this table as a quick guide.

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Vegetables to Sow Outdoors in June

June is still a strong month for sowing vegetables directly outdoors.

The soil is warm, germination is usually quick, and there is enough season left for plenty of crops to mature.

Good choices include:

• Carrots
• Beetroot
• Radish
• Lettuce
• Rocket
• Spinach
• Chard
• Spring onions
• French beans
• Runner beans
• Dwarf beans
• Courgettes
• Squash
• Pumpkins
• Peas
• Turnips
• Swede
• Kale

If you are short on space, prioritise quick crops and crops that give repeated harvests.

Lettuce, rocket, radish and herbs can fill small gaps. Beans, courgettes and chard give more food from fewer plants.

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⭐ HomeGrower Favourites for June Sowing

If you want simple, reliable crops to sow in June, start here.

You do not need to sow everything in June. Pick a few crops you will actually eat and give them enough space to grow properly.

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🍅 Planting Tomatoes Outside in June

June is usually the main outdoor planting month for tomatoes in much of the UK.

By now, the risk of frost is much lower, and plants that were started indoors or in a greenhouse can usually be moved outside once they have been hardened off.

Choose the warmest, sunniest, most sheltered spot you have.

Tomatoes do best with:

• plenty of sun
• support from a cane or string
• consistent watering
• shelter from strong wind
• feeding once flowers and fruit begin forming

If your plants are leggy, plant them slightly deeper than they were in the pot. Tomatoes can root from the buried stem, which helps create a stronger plant.

Greenhouse tomatoes usually grow faster than outdoor tomatoes, but outdoor plants can still crop well in a good summer.

If you’re still using lights for late seedlings or indoor herbs, see the best LED grow lights for indoor plants in the UK.

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🫘 Beans in June

June is a very good month for beans.

French beans, runner beans and dwarf beans can all be sown outdoors now, and young plants started earlier can be planted out.

Beans like warmth, so June sowings often catch up quickly.

The main jobs are:

• add supports before plants get tangled
• protect young plants from slugs
• water well during dry spells
• avoid letting climbing beans dry out at the roots

Runner beans especially dislike drying out. If they become too dry, flowers may drop before pods form.

A mulch around the base can help hold moisture once the soil is warm.

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🌽 Sweetcorn in June

Sweetcorn can still be planted out in June, and early June sowings may still be worthwhile in warmer areas.

The main rule is to plant sweetcorn in blocks, not single rows.

Sweetcorn is pollinated by wind. If you plant it in one long row, pollen may not fall properly onto neighbouring plants, which can lead to patchy cobs with missing kernels.

A square or rectangular block gives better pollination.

For small gardens, even a compact block is better than a thin line.

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🥒 Courgettes, Cucumbers, Pumpkins and Squash

June is a good month for planting out courgettes, pumpkins and squash.

You can also still sow them, especially early in the month. They grow quickly in warm conditions, so a June sowing can still become a productive plant.

Courgettes are usually the safest choice if you are starting late.

Pumpkins and squash need more time and space, so sowing earlier is better, but June is still possible if conditions are warm.

Cucumbers are more sensitive. Outdoor cucumbers need warmth and shelter, while greenhouse cucumbers usually perform more reliably in the UK.

All of these crops need:

• rich soil or compost
• regular watering
• space to spread
• slug protection when young
• feeding once they start growing strongly

One good courgette plant can produce a lot. Two plants are plenty for many households.

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🥬 Salad Crops in June

June is a useful month for salad crops, but heat can become a problem.

Lettuce, rocket, spinach and coriander can all bolt more quickly as days become long and warm. Bolting means the plant starts flowering and producing seed, often making the leaves tougher or more bitter.

To reduce bolting:

• sow small amounts regularly
• choose cooler, lightly shaded spots
• keep soil evenly moist
• harvest young leaves often
• avoid letting plants dry out

Rocket and coriander are especially prone to bolting in warm weather.

☀️ The Late June Solstice Problem

Bolting is not just caused by heat. Day length matters too.

Around the summer solstice, the UK gets very long days, and crops like coriander, rocket and spinach can suddenly decide their job is to flower and set seed rather than keep producing soft leaves.

Coriander, rocket and spinach are the divas of June. They are not just reacting to warm weather — they are also responding to the length of the day.

If your coriander bolts even though you kept it watered, do not blame yourself too much. Sometimes the plant is simply responding to the season.

To slow this down, sow small amounts regularly and use cooler, lightly shaded spots. The moving shade from taller crops like beans, peas or sweetcorn can help keep salad crops and herbs productive for longer.

If you want a tougher leafy crop for summer, Swiss chard is usually much more forgiving once the days are long and bright.

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🥕 Carrots and Beetroot in June

Carrots and beetroot can still be sown in June.

Carrots are best sown directly where they will grow, because they dislike root disturbance. Sow thinly if you can, as thinning later can attract carrot fly.

Beetroot is more forgiving and can be direct sown or transplanted from modules.

June beetroot sowings are useful because they can provide roots later in summer and into autumn. You can also harvest some leaves while the plants are young, as long as you do not strip them completely.

For carrots, keep the seedbed moist until germination. Dry soil can lead to patchy results.

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🥦 Brassicas to Sow in June

June is a useful month for sowing brassicas for later in the year.

This includes:

• Kale
• Cabbage
• Purple sprouting broccoli
• Sprouting broccoli
• Calabrese
• Swede
• Turnips

These are not always the glamorous June crops, but they are important if you want food later in the season.

Summer planting is not just about courgettes and tomatoes. It is also when you start thinking about autumn and winter harvests.

Protect brassicas from pigeons, slugs and caterpillars. Netting can make a big difference.

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🌿 Herbs to Sow or Plant in June

June is a good month for herbs.

You can sow or plant:

• Basil
• Coriander
• Dill
• Parsley
• Chives
• Mint
• Thyme
• Oregano

Basil is much happier outside in June than May, but it still prefers warmth and shelter. It does best in a sunny, protected position or in a greenhouse.

Coriander and dill can bolt quickly, so sow little and often.

Mint is best grown in a pot unless you want it spreading through the bed.

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🌸 Flowers to Sow or Plant in June

June is not too late for flowers.

You can sow or plant:

• Sunflowers
• Nasturtiums
• Marigolds
• Calendula
• Cosmos
• Zinnias
• Cornflowers
• Dahlias
• Bedding plants

Many bedding plants can now go outside safely, provided they have been hardened off.

Nasturtiums and marigolds are especially useful around vegetable beds. They add colour, attract pollinators, and help make the growing area feel more alive.

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🐛 June Pest Watch

June is when pests can build quickly.

The main ones to watch for are:

• Aphids
• Blackfly
• Slugs
• Snails
• Caterpillars
• Whitefly
• Carrot fly
• Pigeons on brassicas

Aphids and blackfly often appear on soft new growth, especially beans, broad beans and young shoots. If you catch them early, they are much easier to manage.

Simple checks help:

• look under leaves
• check new shoots
• inspect bean tips
• look at brassica leaves for caterpillar eggs
• check seedlings after wet evenings

You do not need to panic at the first aphid. A few pests are normal in a living garden. The problem is when they multiply faster than predators can keep up.

A strong jet of water, finger-and-thumb removal, encouraging ladybirds, and removing heavily infested tips can all help before things get out of hand.

🫘 Broad Bean Blackfly Tip

Broad beans often attract blackfly in June, especially on the soft growing tips.

Once your broad beans have set several clusters of flowers, pinch out the top few centimetres of growth. This removes the soft new growth that blackfly love and encourages the plant to put more energy into forming beans.

If blackfly are already present, you can also squash small colonies by hand or wash them off with water before they build up.

If the pinched-out broad bean tips are clean and not covered in blackfly, they can also be eaten. Wilt them briefly in a pan like other soft greens for a small bonus harvest.

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🐌 Slugs Still Matter in June

Slugs are not just an April and May problem.

Young beans, courgettes, squash, lettuce, marigolds and sunflowers can still be destroyed quickly in June, especially after rain.

The risk is highest when:

• plants are small
• weather is damp
• beds are weedy
• pots are sitting directly on soil
• there is lots of hiding space nearby

Protect vulnerable plants until they are growing strongly.

Once courgettes, beans and sunflowers are established, they are harder for slugs to wipe out. The danger is the first week or two after planting.

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💧 Watering and Feeding in June

June growth is fast, so plants need more consistent care.

Watering is especially important for:

• tomatoes
• courgettes
• cucumbers
• squash
• pumpkins
• beans
• salad crops
• containers
• greenhouse plants

Inconsistent watering can cause problems such as splitting, blossom end rot in tomatoes, bitter salad leaves, and poor pod formation in beans.

Feeding also starts to matter more.

As a rough guide:

• tomatoes can be fed once flowers appear
• courgettes and squash benefit from feeding once growing strongly
• container plants need more feeding than plants in open soil
• leafy crops usually prefer steady moisture and fertile soil rather than heavy feeding

Do not overdo it with feed early on. A plant that is still settling in needs water and roots first.

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Peat-Free Compost in June

Peat-free compost can be tricky in June because it does not always dry or re-wet evenly.

The top can look dry while the bottom is still damp. Or the compost can shrink away from the sides of the pot, so water runs straight down the gap and out of the bottom without properly soaking the rootball.

If peat-free compost dries completely, it can become difficult to re-wet. A quick splash from a watering can may not be enough.

Use the finger test first.

Push your finger into the compost up to the second knuckle. If it is dry there, water. If it still feels damp, wait.

If a pot has dried into a hard crust and water is running straight through, try bottom watering. Sit the pot in a shallow tray of water for 20–30 minutes, then let it drain. Once the pot feels heavier again, the compost has usually rehydrated properly.

This is especially useful for young plants, containers and greenhouse crops, where dry compost can quickly check growth.

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🌡 Greenhouses in June

Greenhouses can become extremely hot in June.

A greenhouse that protected seedlings in spring can quickly become stressful if it is not ventilated.

In June, greenhouse jobs include:

• opening doors and vents on warm days
• watering regularly
• shading if temperatures climb too high
• tying in tomatoes and cucumbers
• checking for whitefly and aphids
• feeding fruiting crops
• avoiding overcrowding

If you are growing tomatoes, cucumbers or peppers under cover, airflow matters.

A hot, still greenhouse can encourage pests and fungal problems. Ventilation is not optional once summer arrives.

If you’re planning your greenhouse setup, see the HomeGrower Guide to Greenhouses and Polytunnels. For a full-size setup, our guide to the best 8×6 greenhouses for UK gardens compares popular options for tomatoes, cucumbers, seedlings and summer growing.

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June Maintenance Jobs

June is a busy maintenance month.

The main jobs are:

• tie in tomatoes
• add supports for beans
• thin seedlings
• weed regularly
• water during dry spells
• feed fruiting crops
• remove yellowing leaves
• check for pests
• earth up potatoes
• mulch around thirsty plants
• keep sowing small batches of salad crops

This is the month where ten small jobs done regularly beat one big rescue session later.

A quick evening check can catch dry pots, slug damage, aphids or flopping plants before they become a bigger problem.

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What You Can Harvest in June

June is when harvests become more regular.

Depending on what you planted earlier, you may be picking:

• Lettuce
• Rocket
• Radish
• Spring onions
• Spinach
• Chard
• Herbs
• Rhubarb
• Early strawberries
• Early potatoes
• Peas
• Broad beans
• Garlic scapes
• Overwintered crops

Harvesting regularly often encourages more growth, especially with cut-and-come-again leaves and herbs.

Do not wait for everything to become huge. Young leaves are usually better, and regular picking keeps plants productive.

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Final Thoughts

June is one of the most productive months in the UK garden.

You can still sow plenty, plant out tender crops, fill gaps, and start thinking ahead to autumn and winter harvests. But June is also when the easy mistakes change.

In May, the big risk was cold.

In June, the bigger risks are drying out, pests, bolting, overcrowding and forgetting to support fast-growing plants.

Sow little and often, water properly, check plants regularly, and do not be afraid to replace anything that failed earlier in spring. There is still plenty of growing season left.

For broader seasonal growing advice, the Royal Horticultural Society’s June grow-your-own jobs page is also a useful reference for UK gardeners.

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📎 Related Articles

• The HomeGrower Guide to Outdoor Growing
  A complete guide to growing vegetables and plants outdoors in the UK, including seasonal planting advice and how the year fits together.
• Best Water Butts for UK Gardens
  Compare practical water butts for patios, sheds, greenhouses and larger gardens before summer watering demand increases.
• Best 8×6 Greenhouses for UK Gardens
  A buying guide to full-size greenhouses for tomatoes, cucumbers, seedlings and year-round growing space.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What vegetables can you plant in June in the UK?

In June, you can sow carrots, beetroot, lettuce, rocket, radish, spring onions, chard, beans, courgettes, squash, pumpkins, kale, turnips and swede. You can also plant out tomatoes, courgettes, cucumbers, beans, sweetcorn and many tender crops.

Is June too late to sow vegetables?

No, June is not too late to sow vegetables. It is a good month for beans, courgettes, salad crops, beetroot, carrots, herbs and brassicas for later in the year.

Can I plant tomatoes outside in June?

Yes, June is usually a good time to plant tomatoes outside in the UK, provided they have been hardened off and are placed in a warm, sunny, sheltered spot.

Can I sow courgettes in June?

Yes, courgettes can still be sown in June. They grow quickly in warm conditions, so a June sowing can still produce a useful crop.

What can I sow in June for autumn and winter?

In June, you can sow kale, cabbage, purple sprouting broccoli, swede, turnips and other brassicas for later harvests. These crops help extend the growing season beyond summer.

What should I watch out for in the garden in June?

The main June problems are drying out, slugs, aphids, blackfly, bolting salad crops, overcrowding and plants needing support. Regular checks make these much easier to manage.

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