June is the height of the growing season in the UK. The risk of frost has passed across most of the country, the soil is warm, and there is still plenty of time for fast-growing crops to mature before autumn. If you have a garden plot or allotment, June is the month to make the most of every square foot.

Here is what to focus on this month.

Sow Direct in June

The following crops can be sown directly into the ground in June and will establish quickly in the warm soil:

  • French beans – sow in rows 45cm apart. They will be ready to pick in about 8 weeks.
  • Runner beans – if you have not already sown these, June is your last reliable window. They need a warm summer ahead of them.
  • Beetroot – a fast grower. Sow successionally every few weeks for a continuous harvest.
  • Courgettes and squash – sow into warm soil or plant out young plants you have raised indoors.
  • Lettuce and salad leaves – sow every two to three weeks to avoid a glut. Opt for cut-and-come-again varieties for the best value from a small space.
  • Radishes – these are ready in as little as four weeks from sowing. Great for filling gaps between slower crops.
  • Spring onions – sow directly for a summer and autumn harvest.
  • Carrots – your last chance for a main-crop sowing. Make sure the soil is loose and stone-free.

Plant Out in June

Any young plants raised indoors or under cover can now go outside:

  • Tomatoes – plant into grow bags, pots, or open ground. Pinch out sideshoots on cordon varieties regularly.
  • Cucumbers – plant in a warm, sheltered spot or in a greenhouse if you have one.
  • Peppers and chillies – these need the warmest spot you can give them. A south-facing wall is ideal.
  • Brassica seedlings – kale, purple sprouting broccoli, and Brussels sprouts sown earlier in the year can be planted out now for an autumn and winter harvest.
  • Leeks – transplant leek seedlings into dibbed holes about 15cm deep. Drop them in and water well.

Keep on Top of These Jobs

  • Watering – water deeply and less frequently rather than little and often. This encourages roots to go deeper.
  • Weeding – weeds grow as fast as your crops in June. Stay on top of them before they set seed.
  • Feeding – tomatoes and heavy feeders like courgettes will benefit from a weekly liquid feed once they start flowering.
  • Supporting tall plants – stake tomatoes, beans, and tall brassicas before they need it rather than after.
  • Pinching out – remove the growing tips of broad beans once they are in full flower to deter blackfly.

What to Harvest in June

Depending on what you sowed earlier in the year, June can offer a first wave of harvests:

  • Broad beans
  • Early peas
  • Spinach and chard
  • Radishes
  • Spring onions
  • Lettuce and salad leaves
  • Strawberries
  • Garlic (if the tops have started to yellow)

Do Not Have a Plot Yet?

If you are reading this and still on a council allotment waiting list, you do not have to wait. AllotMe connects you with private garden owners across the UK who have outdoor growing space available to rent right now. Find a plot near you and get started this season.

You can also browse our full growing guides library for crop-by-crop advice on sowing, growing, and harvesting.