June Garden Guide

June Gardening Guide for the PNW

June is a vibrant month for gardeners in the Pacific Northwest. With longer days and warmer temperatures, this month offers ample opportunities for sowing a variety of vegetables and flowers. Here’s a detailed guide to help you make the most of your June gardening.

Outdoor Sowing in Early June

Beet Family:
Lambsquarters, Orach, Quinoa

• Lambsquarters: This nutritious leafy green thrives in cooler weather, making early June an ideal time for sowing. It’s rich in vitamins and can be used similarly to spinach.

• Orach: Also known as mountain spinach, orach is another cool-weather crop that adds vibrant colors to salads. Sowing in early June allows it to mature before the heat peaks.

• Quinoa: Sowing quinoa in June ensures it benefits from the long daylight hours and matures before the wet fall season. Quinoa is a high-protein grain that's easy to grow.

Carrot Family:
Cilantro, Dill

• Cilantro: Best sown in early June to avoid bolting in hot weather. It adds fresh flavor to a variety of dishes and also attracts beneficial insects.

• Dill: Dill grows quickly and prefers cooler temperatures, making early June sowing ideal. It’s perfect for flavoring pickles and attracting pollinators.

Onion Family:
Broadleaf Chives, Garlic Chives, Scallions

• Broadleaf Chives: These can be sown in early June for a steady supply of flavorful leaves throughout the summer.

• Garlic Chives: Known for their mild garlic flavor, garlic chives are great for adding a subtle taste to dishes. Early June sowing ensures robust growth.

• Scallions: Fast-growing and versatile, scallions can be sown in succession starting in early June for continuous harvests.

Pea Family:
Snap Bush Beans, Snap Pole Beans

• Snap Bush Beans: These beans are quick to mature and do well when sown in early June. They are excellent for fresh eating and can be continuously harvested.

• Snap Pole Beans: These require support but yield abundantly. Early June sowing takes advantage of the growing season, providing beans throughout summer.

Sowing in Late June

Beet Family:
Beets, Swiss Chard

• Beets: Late June sowing allows beets to grow in the cooler end of summer, ensuring tender and sweet roots by fall.

• Swiss Chard: This hardy green thrives in both heat and cold, making it perfect for late June sowing for an extended harvest season.

Carrot Family:
Carrots, Bulbing Fennel

• Carrots: Sowing carrots in late June helps avoid the carrot fly infestation and ensures a harvest in early fall.

• Bulbing Fennel: Fennel prefers cooler conditions to form bulbs, making late June the perfect time to sow for fall harvest.

Mustard Family:
Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower, Rutabagas, Turnips

• Brussels Sprouts: These need a long growing season and taste best when matured in cooler temperatures. Late June sowing allows them to develop fully.

• Cauliflower: Needs consistent cool temperatures to form heads properly, so sowing in late June is ideal for a fall harvest.

• Rutabagas: These root vegetables thrive in cooler weather, making late June perfect for sowing to mature in fall.

• Turnips: Fast-growing and versatile, late June sowing ensures they are ready for fall harvesting.

Onion Family:
Pearl Onions, Scallions

• Pearl Onions: Best sown in late June for harvesting as small, flavorful bulbs in late summer or early fall.

• Scallions: Continuous sowing every few weeks ensures a steady supply throughout the growing season.

Sowing Flowers

Borage Family:

Borage (Borago officinalis)

• Borage: Sowing borage in June attracts pollinators and beneficial insects, enhancing the health of your garden.

Ivy Family:

Blue Lace Flower (Trachymene coerulea)

• Blue Lace Flower: These delicate flowers are great for attracting bees and butterflies. June sowing ensures summer blooms.

Nasturtium Family:

Nasturtium (Tropaeoleum spp.)

• Nasturtium: Known for their edible flowers and leaves, nasturtiums are excellent for adding color and flavor to salads. They deter pests and thrive when sown in June.

Sunflower Family:

Calendula (Calendula officinalis), Creeping Zinnia (Sanvitalia procumbens), Sunflower (Helianthus annus), Zinnia (Zinnia spp.)

• Calendula: These bright flowers are easy to grow and attract beneficial insects. June sowing ensures blooms through summer and fall.

• Creeping Zinnia: Perfect for ground cover and container gardens, they thrive in the warm summer months and add vibrant color.

• Sunflowers: June is an ideal time for sowing sunflowers, which will grow tall and strong, providing beauty and seeds for birds.

• Zinnias: These hardy flowers bloom profusely and are great for cutting gardens. Sowing in June ensures a colorful display all summer long.

By following this guide and sowing these specific plants, you’ll be able to maximize your garden’s productivity and beauty throughout the growing season in the Pacific Northwest. Each selection has been carefully chosen to thrive in our unique climate, ensuring you get the best results with minimal effort. From vibrant flowers that attract beneficial pollinators to robust vegetables that promise a delicious and healthy harvest, your garden will be a source of food and joy.