What to Plant in June (UK): The Essential Guide for a Thriving Summer Garden

 Why June is a key month for gardening:

June is one of the most rewarding months for UK gardeners. With warm soil, long daylight hours (up to 16.5 hours of light), and stable weather, plants grow rapidly — making it the perfect time to sow, plant out, and refresh your garden for summer.  Whether you're growing vegetables, filling borders with colour, or boosting pollinators, this UK June planting guide covers everything you can grow right now.

Flowers to sow in June (UK) for summer colour:

June’s warm soil helps fast‑growing annuals and hardy favourites germinate quickly. These flowers are ideal for filling gaps left by spring blooms and adding instant colour to borders and containers.

Cosmos germinate quickly in warm weather and flower from late summer into autumn. Perfect for borders and cottage‑garden style planting.  They love heat, grow fast, and fill empty spaces beautifully.

Nasturtiums produce masses of trailing flowers that are perfect for hanging baskets, borders and edible gardens.  (The flowers are edible and are great for decorating salads.)  They germinate quickly and love the summer warmth.  

Nigella (Love‑in‑a‑Mist) produces masses of flowers with a delicate, airy texture.  They are perfect for softening borders and adding movement.  Nigella germinates fast and flowers within 8–10 weeks.  

Pollinator-friendly plants to add in June:

June is peak season for bees, butterflies, and hoverflies — making it the perfect time to plant nectar‑rich species.

There are so many pollinator-friendly plants available at this time of the year, with Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia) being the first highly fragrant bee magnet that comes to mind.  This classic lavender produces masses of nectar-rich purple blooms from early summer.  Its strong fragrance attracts bees and butterflies, while its drought tolerance makes it ideal for low‑maintenance borders and containers.

Echinacea (Coneflower) produce large daisy-like blooms with raised cones that pollinators adore.  Flowering from mid‑summer, it provides a steady and long-lasting nectar supply and adds bold colour to wildlife-friendly borders. Excellent for bees, butterflies, and seed‑eating birds later in the year.  

Tall and airy Verbena bonariensis produces clouds of tiny purple flowers on tall stems that butterflies can’t resist, making it a staple of pollinator gardens.  It blooms for months, thrives in dry soil, and adds height without blocking light. 

Summer bedding plants for containers and hanging baskets:

June is the safest month to plant out frost-tender plants such as petunias, begonias and geraniums. These plants deliver long-lasting colour and are perfect for patios, borders and hanging baskets. Bedding plants are available from our large Bedding House here at Poplar. (They can also be grown from seed from early spring in a heated greenhouse.)

Tips for success:

Water regularly - containers dry out quickly in warm weather.

Feed every two weeks with a high-potash fertiliser such as a tomato feed.

Remove dead flowers to encourage continuous flowering.

Vegetables to Sow in June (UK):

June is a great month for sowing fast‑growing vegetables, heat‑lovers, and second rounds of spring crops. 

Direct Sow Outdoors (Fast Germinators):

Sow salad crops, including beetroot, lettuce, rocket, Swiss chard, pak choi, peas, spring onions and radish. Leafy salad varieties may thrive more effectively when planted in partially shaded areas, as hot and dry conditions can result in leaves that taste bitter. 

Carrots are easy to cultivate from seeds, requiring minimal space, and they can also be grown in pots. Baby carrots can be harvested in just four to six weeks, whereas larger varieties typically take three months or longer. Opt for main-season types for planting from late spring to mid-summer. 

Warm June soil is also perfect for beans.  Sow French beans until mid-June for late summer harvests and runner beans which are quick to establish.  Runner beans require supports which are typically frames or wigwams constructed from bamboo canes bound together with twine to facilitate the climbing of the shoots.  Dwarf beans are perfect for pots and small gardens.  

Calabrese, turnips and kohl rabi can be sown now for an autumn crop.

Heat‑Loving Crops to Sow in June:

Courgettes, pumpkins, summer-squash and marrows can be sown directly outside in early June.  They will thrive in warm conditions and still have time to crop when sown in early June.  

Sweetcorn is most effectively sown in blocks, ensuring a spacing of at least 45cm (18in) between each hole, with two seeds placed in each hole. It is advisable to sow before mid-June. Any young plants that have been cultivated under cover can now be transplanted into the same block arrangement.

Plant Out in June (not sow):

Tender crops that are not frost hardy such as tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers and chillies can be planted out in June.  These can all be purchased here at Poplar if you haven’t raised them undercover yourself.  

Successional Sowing (Keep Harvests Coming):

Succession sowing in June keeps your beds productive right through summer and into autumn. The trick is choosing fast‑maturing, heat‑tolerant, and repeat‑sow crops that thrive in warm soil.  

Warm June soil means salad (lettuce, rocket, mizuna etc)  germinate fast — perfect for staggered sowings every two weeks, giving you a steady supply.

Sow root crops including baby carrots, beetroot and fast variety turnips in small batches every 10 - 14 days for staggered harvests.  (Ideal for filling gaps left by spring crops.)

Other crops that benefit from sowing little and often include spinach (choose bolt-resistant varieties),Kohlrabi and radish. 

Some herbs such as Coriander, Dill and Parsley bolt quickly in heat, so succession sowing keeps flavour fresh and the regular sowing prevents bolting gaps.

Top herbs to sow in June UK:

June is actually one of the easiest months for starting heat‑loving herbs that love warm soil and long days, encouraging them to produce fast summer growth. 

Basil thrives in warm weather, making June one of the best months to sow it.  It can be sown indoors or outdoors in full sun and is perfect for pots, greenhouses, and sunny patios.  Keep the soil warm and moist and pinch out tips to encourage bushy growth.

Coriander prefers slightly cooler conditions, so June sowings do best in partial shade to prevent bolting.  Sow thinly in pots or directly in the ground and water regularly. Great for  cut‑and‑come‑again harvesting.

Parsley can be slow to germinate, but June warmth speeds things up.  Sow in pots or borders and keep the soil consistently moist.  Flat‑leaf and curly varieties both do well from June sowings. 

June sowings of chives establish quickly.  Sow in clumps in borders and containers.  Chives produce edible flowers that are loved by bees.

A note from our Plant Team: 

This guide highlights some of the best plants, vegetables, and herbs to grow in June — but there are many more options depending on your garden style and space. Visit us in person to explore our full range and chat with our expert team for personalised advice.