What to Harvest and Plant in the Month of June
This article was updated on May 11, 2023
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It’s not too late to plant your own food this summer season here in Austin, Texas. In my garden, June is the peak season for harvesting all those wonderful spring veggies I planted. The eggplant, cucumbers and tomatoes are making a statement.
My 5 main tips this month are to:
Harvest early
Harvest often
Protect your plants (and self) from the sun
Watch for uptick in pests
Water deep
Your high yielding plants this month are all heavy feeders so increase your fertilizing routine to once a week for tomatoes, eggplant, peppers, cucumbers, squash and okra. I like to stick with a mild liquid fertilizer like FoxFarm or slow release 10-10-10 like Lily Miller + Epsom Salt.
What to Plant in June in Your Austin Garden
In order to maximize your time in the garden I would not recommend starting seeds in June for a summer garden. Your best bet is to buy seedlings at a local organic nursery that you trust. Because the pests and heat are taking a toll on the rest of your garden you want to ensure your newly planting seedlings have a strong start once planted so make sure to choose the healthiest options.
Keep reading to see the recommended plants you can purchase at your local garden center.
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Hot Season Plants for Central Texas to Buy
If you are low on herbs in your garden, I recommend purchasing any of the mediterranean herbs that like dry, arid conditions such as thyme, oregano, rosemary, sage and basil.
Vegetables to Plant
You can continue to plant eggplant, sweet and hot peppers, southern peas and melons, but okra is the best heat loving plant that will give you a great summer harvest. If you’re looking for salad greens try heat tolerant arugulas and malabar spinach and for a fantastic show of vines and flowers try your hand at growing sweet potatoes!
34 lbs of freshly harvested Japanese sweet potatoes from the previous year.
What to Plant Outdoors in June
Armenian cucumber
Basil
Yard-long beans
Chives
Eggplant
Hot peppers
Malabar spinach
Okra
Southern peas
Sweet potato slips
Melons
Winter squash
Summer squash
Pumpkins
Sweet corn
2021 cucumber harvest was prolific! I was harvesting up to 20 lbs a day for over the course of 2 months.
(the white coating on the cukes is Kaolin Clay which was used for pest control)
What are the Best Herbs and Flowers to Plant in June
Cosmos, marigolds, calendula, zinnia, strawflower, periwinkle, gomphrena, and sunflowers
Growing a productive garden in Central Texas (Zones 8b/9) comes with unique challenges, from unpredictable weather to intense summer heat. The 12-Month Central Texas Growing Guide is designed specifically for this climate, providing a month-by-month planting schedule, expert growing tips, and sustainable gardening strategies to help you cultivate a thriving garden year-round. Whether you’re growing in raised beds, containers, or backyard plots, this guide eliminates the guesswork, helping you plant at the right time and keep your garden productive in every season.
The mediterranean Herbs that do Well in Central Texas
Catnip, mint, lavender, oregano, basil, thyme, lemongrass, lemon balm, lemon verbena
Jennifer harvesting catnip! The bees go crazy for this herb.
Resources for Your June Garden
PRO-TIP: To keep up with a thriving Raised Kitchen Garden, plug in seedlings or direct sow your seeds in the bare areas of your garden. Always look ahead to what the next season holds and make sure to put compost on top of your soil at least twice during the hot, long growing season.
PRO-TIP: The most important thing this month...water! Read more here for how to deal with the heat in your summer garden. To help your soil retain moisture use a mulch like coconut coir a few inches on top of surface. This will help to suppress weeds, as well.
PRO-TIP: Let your herbs flower to attract beneficials and pollinators. A great way to keep the bees around is to have small dishes of water with rocks so they can drink and stay hydrated while they work hard to support your ecosystem.
If you are still needing help planning your garden this year, learn more through The Seed Sage’s Services. Order a custom garden design or plant plan to get a head start on the Fall Season. Follow us on instagram for the latest seasonal tips and tricks to keep your garden healthy!
You are not alone on your gardening journey! We are here to help you throughout all the season.
Happy gardening!
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Gardening in Central Texas, specifically in zones 8b and 9, presents a unique opportunity for growing a variety of flavorful and healthful crops. Among these, garlic and shallots stand out as excellent choices for both novice and experienced gardeners. Here’s why you should consider adding these culinary staples to your garden.