If you think June is too late to start a vegetable garden, think again! A lot of people give up on planting once summer kicks in, but honestly, there’s still plenty of time to grow something great.
The good news? You have more options than you’d expect. Some vegetables actually do really well when planted later in the season. Here are 20 you can still get in the ground right now.
1.) Green Beans
Green beans are a great choice for a June planting because they grow fast — most varieties are ready to harvest in about 50 to 60 days. They do well in warm soil, so the timing actually works in your favor this time of year.
Just make sure they get full sun and consistent watering. Bush beans are the easiest to manage since they don’t need any staking. Plant them about an inch deep and a few inches apart, and you’ll be picking beans before summer’s over.
2.) Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a great pick for June planting because they actually prefer warm soil — so you’re not even behind, you’re right on time. They grow fast and can go from seed to harvest in as little as 50–60 days.
Give them a sunny spot, consistent watering, and something to climb if you’re growing a vining type. They can get bitter if they dry out too much, so keep the soil moist and check on them regularly.
3.) Summer Squash
Summer squash is one of the best vegetables to plant in June because it grows fast. You can expect to start harvesting in as little as 50 days, which means you’ll still have plenty of time before the season ends.
It does best in full sun with well-drained soil. Water it regularly at the base to avoid mildew on the leaves. Zucchini is the most popular variety, but yellow crookneck is another easy option worth trying.
4.) Zucchini
Zucchini is one of the easiest vegetables to grow, and June is actually a great time to plant it. It grows fast in warm soil and really takes off once temperatures stay consistently above 60°F. Most varieties are ready to harvest in about 50 to 60 days.
Just make sure it gets full sun and plenty of water. Zucchini plants spread out, so give them some room. Check regularly once they start producing — they go from small to huge almost overnight.
5.) Bush Beans
Bush beans are a great option for June planting because they grow fast — most varieties are ready to harvest in about 50 to 60 days. That means you can still get a solid crop before the season winds down.
They do best in full sun and well-drained soil. Plant the seeds about an inch deep and a few inches apart. Unlike pole beans, bush beans don’t need any kind of support structure, which makes them pretty easy to manage.
6.) Carrots
Carrots are a great option for June planting because they actually prefer cooler soil for germination, and the roots develop well as summer heats up. They need loose, deep soil — at least 12 inches — so they can grow straight without splitting or forking. Aim for a spot with full sun and keep the soil consistently moist until they sprout.
Most carrot varieties are ready to harvest in about 70 to 80 days, so you’ll still have plenty of time before the first frost hits.
7.) Beets
Beets are a solid choice for a June planting. They grow well in cooler soil but can handle the summer heat as long as they get consistent watering. Aim for a spot with full sun and loose, well-drained soil so the roots have room to develop properly.
They mature in about 50 to 70 days, which means a late summer or early fall harvest is totally doable. Thin the seedlings to a few inches apart — crowded beets won’t size up the way you want.
8.) Radishes
Radishes are one of the fastest-growing vegetables out there, going from seed to harvest in as little as 22–30 days. That makes them a great pick for June planting, even if the season feels like it’s getting away from you.
Just sow them directly in the ground, keep the soil moist, and make sure they get some sun. They prefer cooler soil, so try planting them where they’ll get a little afternoon shade to keep them from bolting too quickly.
9.) Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a great pick for June planting because it handles both heat and cooler temps pretty well. It grows fast, so you won’t be waiting forever to see results. Plant it in a spot with full sun or partial shade, and make sure the soil drains well.
You can start harvesting the outer leaves in about 50–60 days. It also looks kind of nice in a garden bed, with its colorful stems standing out against the green.
10.) Kale
Kale is actually a great pick for June planting because it prefers cooler temps — and in many areas, you can get a solid harvest before the summer heat really kicks in. It also bounces back nicely in the fall, so a June planting can carry you through two seasons.
It grows well in most hardiness zones and doesn’t need much fuss. Just give it full sun, regular watering, and some basic fertilizer, and you’re pretty much set.
11.) Lettuce
Lettuce is one of the best vegetables to plant in June because it grows fast — most varieties are ready to harvest in 45 to 60 days. It does best in partial shade during warmer months, so tuck it somewhere it won’t get too much afternoon sun.
One trick is to plant a new row every couple of weeks. That way, you’ll have a steady supply of fresh leaves instead of everything coming in all at once.
12.) Arugula
Arugula is a great choice for June planting because it grows fast — you can start harvesting in as little as 40 days. It does best in partial shade during summer, which actually helps prevent it from bolting too quickly in the heat.
Direct sow the seeds about half an inch deep and keep the soil moist. Thin the seedlings to around six inches apart. The peppery leaves are perfect for salads, sandwiches, or tossed with pasta.
13.) Spinach
Spinach is a cool-season crop, which makes it a solid pick for June planting — especially if you live somewhere that doesn’t get too hot too fast. It grows quickly, usually ready to harvest in about 40–50 days, so you can still get a decent yield before summer really heats up.
Plant it in a spot with partial shade to help it last longer without bolting. Keep the soil moist and consistent, and you’ll be pulling fresh leaves in no time.
14.) Collard Greens
Collard greens are a great choice for June planting because they actually do better in warmer soil. They’re slow to mature, taking around 60 to 80 days, but that means a fall harvest when the leaves are at their best.
Plant them in full sun and give them regular water. They can handle heat better than other leafy greens, so they won’t bolt as quickly. Just watch out for cabbage worms — they love collards as much as you do.
15.) Turnips
Turnips are a solid choice for June planting because they actually prefer cooler soil and grow pretty fast — most varieties are ready to harvest in about 45 to 60 days. That means a June planting can give you a nice fall harvest before the first frost hits.
They’re not too picky about soil, but they do best with full sun and consistent watering. Thin them out to about 4 inches apart so the roots have room to develop properly.
16.) Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is a cool-weather crop that actually does well when planted in early June, especially if your summers don’t get too brutal. It grows fast — usually ready to harvest in about 45 to 60 days — so you’ve still got plenty of time.
Plant it in full sun with well-drained soil, and keep it watered consistently so the bulbs don’t get tough or woody. Thin your seedlings to about 6 inches apart for the best results.
17.) Broccoli
Broccoli is a cool-season crop, which makes it a good fit for a June planting — especially if you live somewhere that doesn’t get brutally hot until late summer. It actually does better when it matures in cooler temps, so timing it right matters.
Give it full sun and consistent watering, and you should be harvesting in about 60–80 days. Watch out for cabbage worms — they love broccoli and can sneak up on you fast if you’re not checking regularly.
18.) Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a cool-season crop, which makes June a bit tricky depending on where you live. If you’re in a northern region with mild summers, you can still direct sow seeds now and harvest in the fall. In warmer areas, stick to a heat-tolerant variety.
Give it full sun and consistent moisture, since dry spells can cause the heads to turn bitter. Mulching around the base helps keep the soil cool and the roots happy.
19.) Cabbage
Cabbage is a solid choice for a June planting because it can handle both warm days and cooler nights as the season shifts. It grows best in full sun with well-drained soil, and it tends to do well when you keep it watered consistently.
Just give it enough space — about 18 inches between plants — so the heads have room to form properly. Watch out for cabbage worms, which can show up fast and do real damage if you’re not paying attention.
20.) Pumpkins
Pumpkins might seem like a fall thing, but they actually need to be planted in late spring or early summer to make it to Halloween. June is right on time, so don’t hold back.
Give them plenty of space since the vines spread out fast. They love full sun and warm soil, so pick a sunny spot in your yard. Water deeply but not too often to avoid root rot.
Expect your pumpkins to be ready for harvest in about 75–100 days.
