Late June Garden To-Do List
It’s. So. Hot.
This means two things at the end of June. 1.) your garden is probably growing FAST. Does it seem like the plants are 6” taller than last time you checked on them? and 2.) you’d pretty much rather do anything than check on your garden.
We get it, but don’t give up so easily. There are still a few things to monitor and do this time of year. Just get out there early or late (how much are you loving the after 8pm sunset?!)
🌿 Harvests Are Heating Up
We’re moving from spring’s leafy greens into summer’s bold flavors. Keep harvesting to encourage production and enjoy the best flavors at their peak.
Cool-season crops: If you’re still holding onto cabbage, snap peas, or lettuce—harvest now. They’re almost done.
Carrots & onions: If carrot tops are poking above the soil, it’s time to pull. Thin onions by harvesting every other plant and enjoy them as fresh scallions.
Garlic: Your garlic might be ready too!
Summer stars: Cucumbers, green beans, cherry tomatoes, shishito peppers, and basil are starting to roll in. Harvest young and often!
Herbs & flowers: Snip basil and other herbs regularly to prevent flowering and keep new leaves coming. Same goes for flowers—cut bouquets and enjoy the beauty indoors.
🌱 What to Plant Now
Late June is still a great time for succession sowing and filling in empty spaces.
Direct sow: Beans, cucumbers, cowpeas, summer squash.
Transplant: Peppers, okra, eggplant, and basil in any gaps left by spring crops.
Try this: Sow heat-tolerant greens like ‘Jericho’ lettuce or amaranth in the shade of taller crops.
🍅 Support & Prune
Vines and tall plants are taking off—help them grow strong and stay healthy.
Train vines: Weave cucumbers, pole beans, and melons onto trellises. Tie as needed.
Try squash staking: Some gardeners are experimenting with staking summer squash for airflow and visibility—worth a try!
Tomato care: Prune lower tomato leaves below the fruit cluster for airflow. Pinch suckers to keep plants manageable (or embrace the chaos—it’s your call).
Clean up: Remove yellow or damaged leaves to prevent disease and make room for healthy growth.
Feed: Long-season plants like tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and melons need a boost of nutrients to keep them producing for months. Late June is a good time to add a side-dressing of a fertilizer like TomatoTone which has a lower percentage of nitrogen.
🐛 Pest & Disease Patrol
Pests are partying in the heat. Stay one step ahead with daily check-ins.
Squash bugs, cucumber beetles, hornworms: Handpick and drown in soapy water.
Squash vine borers: Check for red eggs near stems—remove immediately.
Japanese beetles: Skip the traps (they attract more). Handpick instead.
Powdery mildew: Common on squash, zinnias, and bee balm. Remove infected leaves and avoid overhead watering.
Watch for bacterial wilt: Transmitted by striped cucumber beetles. If a plant collapses, pull it quickly and replant something new.
🐞 Tip: Celebrate the good bugs too—ladybugs, assassin bugs, lightning bugs (slug eaters!) are all working hard for you.
Squash bugs lay a cluster of eggs under leaves.
💧 Water & Weather Wisdom
Water check: Soil is drying out fast. Water deeply in the morning and pause irrigation after heavy rain.
Heat wilt vs. drought: Wilting midday is normal; wilting in the morning means your plants need water.
Garden hygiene: Avoid handling plants when leaves are wet to reduce disease spread.
Drink some water yourself, while you’re at it! This is the rhythm of summer—steady, sweaty, and full of flavor. Take time to notice the daily changes, snack on a sun-warmed cherry tomato, and celebrate how far your garden has come. It doesn’t have to be perfect to be abundant. You’re doing great.
