June is such an active month for gardening! I have loved watching everything grow, but I feel a bit stumped about what to grow next in my vegetable garden. Surely, I’ve already sewn all I need?
But when you’re growing vegetables, you need to be ready to sow something each month so you’ve got a harvest of things to look forward to once the current crops are gone. And with June this year being such a great month with warmer weather, you don’t want to miss out! So let’s get sowing some fresh vegetables in our veg patch!
Here are the top 10 vegetable seeds that thrive if started now, plus handy tips for young plants and getting high yields.
Carrots
If you sow carrot seeds in June, you can expect a harvest late summer or early autumn, as the main sowing season for carrots extends into early July. I’ve already got two varieties of carrots on the go, and I may pop some more in at the end of the month for successional sowing.
Tips for growing healthy carrots:
- Carrots HATE being transplanted – so direct sowing is the best way. You can sow into large pots earlier in the season indoors, then sow directly outdoors when it’s warm enough.
- Carrots need a lot of moisture, so make sure to give them plenty of water, especially when it’s warm. Use a rose attachment when watering so you don’t damage the stalks.
- Once the true leaves form, thin the carrots out by removing the smaller seedlings so they have enough room to form.
- Sieve compost or add sand to ensure carrots don’t come across anything that will prevent them from growing long! If a carrot hits a stone, it may stop growing or grow in a funny direction.
- To check if they are ready to harvest, check the shoulders of the carrots where the green tops reach the root. Once they are ready, they’ll be easy to pull.
- To protect carrots from carrot fly, focus on prevention, such as physical barriers or companion planting.
Beetroot
June is a great time to sow beetroot seeds. I actually just sowed some today!
Tips for growing healthy beetroot
Growing beetroot is pretty straightforward if you know a few tricks. It loves the warmth and can add colour and taste to your garden.
- Choose a sunny spot. Beetroot seeds thrive in full sun. They need about 6 hours of sunlight daily.
- Prepare the soil with plenty of organic matter. This helps keep it fertile and well-draining.
- Sow seeds directly into the soil end of May or early June. They don’t like to be moved.
- Space your seeds 10 cm apart, with 30 cm between rows. This gives each plant enough room to grow.
- Water the plants regularly, especially during dry spells. Beetroot needs moist soil to grow well.
- Thin out seedlings when they’re big enough to handle. Aim for about 10 cm apart. This promotes larger roots.
- Harvest beetroot when they are the size of a golf ball for a sweet flavour.
- Keep an eye out for pests like slugs and use barriers if needed.
French Beans
Sow French beans in June for a great harvest. Ideal conditions for sowing French beans ensure healthy growth and a rich yield.
Ideal conditions for sowing French beans
French beans love warm weather. They grow best when the soil is nice and warm.
- Make sure the soil temperature has reached at least 12°C. This usually happens by late May or early June in the UK.
- Choose a sunny spot in your garden. French beans need plenty of sunlight to grow well.
- The soil should be fertile and well-draining. If it’s not, add some compost to help.
- Sow the seeds directly into the ground. This helps avoid root disturbance which can harm the plants.
- Space climbing beans 45 cm apart. For dwarf or bush varieties, space them 30–45 cm apart.
- Water the seeds gently after sowing. Keep the soil moist but not too wet as you wait for them to sprout.
- Use bamboo canes for climbing varieties. This gives them something to wrap around as they grow.
Following these steps helps ensure your French beans thrive, ready for a tasty harvest later on.
Peas
Peas are versatile and nutritious vegetables perfect for sowing in June. Sowing peas in June means you can go on to enjoy fresh, homegrown produce later in the season. I’ve got peas and mangetout growing in my garden!
Recommended types for June sowing
In June, the garden bursts into life with longer days and warmer temperatures. This is a great time to sow peas for a tasty crop.
- Mange Tout peas need picking as soon as you see peas forming. They thrive in sun and need something to climb on.
- Sugar Snap peas are best when their pods swell up. They like sunny spots too and will need support as they grow.
Both types love the early summer weather. Make sure to give them plenty of water and watch out for pests. With a bit of care, you’ll have fresh peas in no time.
Courgettes
Courgettes thrive in warm weather – it’s best to sow indoors a few weeks earlier to get a head start but you can still sow directly outdoors at the start of june. I’ve got a few courgette plants already which are now starting to flower.
How to ensure a high yield
For a high yield when growing courgettes, follow these steps:
- Plant in fertile soil with good drainage for optimal growth.
- Provide consistent moisture through regular watering to promote fruiting.
- Apply a high potash feed, such as tomato food, weekly to support growth and flowering.
- Remove any male flowers to encourage more female flowers, which result in fruit production.
- Harvest courgettes regularly to stimulate continuous production throughout the season.
Sweetcorn
Sow sweetcorn seeds in well-prepared soil with plenty of organic matter to encourage strong growth. Create a block of at least 4 rows for pollination, as the wind helps transfer pollen between plants, resulting in fully formed cobs. I’ve got seven sweetcorn plants out and I’m a bit worried about how they’re going to do!
Preparing soil for sweetcorn seeds
To prepare the soil for sweetcorn seeds, ensure the area receives full sun exposure. Drill the soil to a depth of 8-10 inches, removing any rocks or debris. Then incorporate compost or well-rotted manure into the soil for added nutrients. Next, create mounds of soil 12 inches in diameter and plant four seeds in each mound, spacing them 1 inch apart in a square pattern. Water thoroughly after planting and maintain even moisture throughout the growing season. Finally, cover with mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Pak Choi
Pak choi is a versatile and vegetable that thrives in the UK’s June climate. Growing pak choi requires attention to watering and spacing, it’s worth it with its crisp, mild leaves.
Sowing techniques for optimal growth
To ensure the best growth for your vegetables, here are some essential sowing techniques to follow:
- Regularly monitor the soil moisture, especially during dry periods, and water as necessary to maintain consistent moisture levels.
- Follow specific sowing instructions for each vegetable variety to ensure proper depth and spacing in accordance with the individual requirements.
- Provide plenty of sunlight exposure by selecting an appropriate location that receives sufficient direct sunlight for your chosen vegetable seeds.
- Consider using high-quality compost or organic fertilisers to enrich the soil and provide essential nutrients for healthy plant development.
- Protect young seedlings from potential pests and environmental stressors by employing suitable methods such as row covers or natural pest deterrents.
- Use mulch to conserve moisture, suppress weed growth, and regulate soil temperature around the base of the plants for optimal growing conditions.
Spinach
Spinach is a fantastic choice for summer sowing It’s quick and easy and is packed with nutritional value, it’s a must-have in your vegetable garden.
Tips for growing Spinach:
- For a continuous harvest, sow new rows every few weeks.
- Consider planting garlic or chives nearby to deter pests.
- Protect seedlings with garden hoops and mesh if needed.
- If it bolts, collect the seeds for future planting!
Florence Fennel
Florence Fennel is a vegetable that has a distinct aniseed flavour. It can be enjoyed raw in salads, roasted for a sweeter flavour, or cooked in various dishes. The leaves and stems are also edible and can be used as a garnish or in cooking.
Tips for growing fennel
- Florence fennel prefers slightly sandy soil with good drainage and dislikes heavy clay or waterlogged conditions.
- For direct sowing, sow in late spring/early summer once the soil warms up, in rows 30cm apart.
- Feed with a high-potassium fertiliser every two weeks once established.
- As the bulb starts to swell, mound soil up around it to blanch it, excluding light and creating a white, tender bulb.
- Pick the bulbs when they are no larger than a tennis ball, about 10cm in diameter.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard, also known as chard, is a leafy green vegetable with a slightly bitter taste, related to beets and spinach. It has large, green leaves and colourful stalks, which can be white, yellow, or red. The leaves and stalks can be prepared separately and cooked in various ways, including sautéing, braising, and roasting. I’m quite excited about this one as I’ve just planted some for the first time today!
- Swiss chard prefers full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade.
- For a continuous harvest, sow new seeds every couple of weeks.
- Chard can also be grown in containers, which is a good option for smaller spaces or areas with poor soil.
- Chard grows well with other root crops like carrots, turnips, and parsnips, as well as spinach and kale.
So there you have it, 10 vegetables to get growing in June! You may also want to consider runner beans, spring onions, salad leaves, Brussels sprouts and winter squashes!
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