What to plant in June in Alaska
In Alaska (AK), June comes about 4 weeks after the average last frost (May 17). The state averages 119 frost-free days a year (last frost May 17, first frost September 13; USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b).
68 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin, rosemary, shiso (perilla) - and 54 of those windows close during June.
Dates here come from Alaska frost dates (last frost May 17, first frost Sep 13). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pumpkin, tomato or winter squash in Alaska.
Alaska covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
Alaska: planting activity through the year
Last chance in June
Ground Cherry (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · New Zealand Spinach (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Peanut (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Pumpkin (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Rosemary (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Shiso (Perilla) (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Summer Savory (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Sunflower (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Sweet Marjoram (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Tomatillo (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Tomato (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Winter Squash (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Amaranth (Leaf) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Bush Bean (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Edamame (Soybean) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · New Zealand Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Pole Bean (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Pumpkin (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Shiso (Perilla) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Summer Savory (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Sweet Corn (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Sweet Marjoram (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Winter Squash (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Basil (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Bell Pepper (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Bitter Melon (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Chili Pepper (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Cucamelon (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Cucumber (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Malabar Spinach (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Okra (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Watermelon (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Basil (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Bitter Melon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Chayote (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Cucamelon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Cucumber (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Lima Bean (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Malabar Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Okra (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Peanut (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Southern Pea (Cowpea) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Watermelon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 14) · Eggplant (transplant outdoors, by Jun 17) · Ginger (transplant outdoors, by Jun 17) · Sweet Potato (transplant outdoors, by Jun 17) · Turmeric (transplant outdoors, by Jun 17) · Rutabaga (sow for a fall crop, by Jun 14)
Sow or plant outdoors in June (53)
Direct sowing and transplanting windows that fall in June, most urgent first. Windows are one-to-two-week bands around the ideal date.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ground Cherry | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 26 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 17 | Last chance - ends Jun 17 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 17 | Last chance - ends Jun 17 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 17 | Last chance - ends Jun 17 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | May 31 – Jun 17 | Last chance - ends Jun 17 |
For fall and winter harvests (17)
Sowings counted back from Alaska's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutabaga | Sow for a fall crop | May 28 – Jun 14 | Last chance - ends Jun 14 |
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Jun 4 – Jun 21 | Jun 4 – Jun 21 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Jun 4 – Jun 21 | Jun 4 – Jun 21 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Jun 4 – Jun 21 | Jun 4 – Jun 21 |
| Cucumber | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 11 – Jun 28 | Jun 11 – Jun 28 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 11 – Jun 28 | Jun 11 – Jun 28 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 11 – Jun 28 | Jun 11 – Jun 28 |
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 18 – Jul 5 | Opens Jun 18 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 18 – Jul 5 | Opens Jun 18 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 18 – Jul 5 | Opens Jun 18 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 18 – Jul 5 | Opens Jun 18 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 25 – Jul 12 | Opens Jun 25 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 25 – Jul 12 | Opens Jun 25 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 25 – Jul 12 | Opens Jun 25 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 25 – Jul 12 | Opens Jun 25 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 25 – Jul 12 | Opens Jun 25 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 25 – Jul 12 | Opens Jun 25 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on Jun 11
- Lettuce: sow again on Jun 8 and Jun 20
- Spinach: sow again on Jun 11
- Carrot: sow again on Jun 1 and Jun 19
- Beet: sow again on Jun 12
- Radish: sow again on Jun 8 and Jun 18
- Cilantro / Coriander: sow again on Jun 8
- Dill: sow again on Jun 7
- Arugula: sow again on Jun 6 and Jun 18
- Turnip: sow again on Jun 7 and Jun 21
- Kohlrabi: sow again on Jun 7 and Jun 21
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on Jun 14
- Mustard Greens: sow again on Jun 7 and Jun 21
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on Jun 21
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on Jun 21
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on Jun 14
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Jun 7 and Jun 21
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on Jun 7 and Jun 21
- Tatsoi: sow again on Jun 6 and Jun 18
- Mizuna: sow again on Jun 6 and Jun 18
- Chervil: sow again on Jun 7 and Jun 21
- Watercress: sow again on Jun 14
Harvesting in June
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Alaska
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Alaska: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: June garden jobs in Alaska
- With the average last frost on May 17, 36 crops can go in outdoors this month, including ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin.
- Transplant on a cloudy afternoon and water in well - see transplanting seedlings without shock.
- Once the soil has warmed, lay mulch around established plants to hold moisture and smother weeds.
- Sow quick crops little and often - lettuce, radish and beans every two to three weeks give a steady harvest instead of a glut (succession planting).
USDA zone chart for Alaska
Alaska spans USDA zones 1a, 2b, 3b, 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Alaska in June?
68 crops have a window in June: ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin, rosemary, shiso (perilla), summer savory, sunflower, sweet marjoram, tomatillo and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Alaska in June?
No - transplant outdoors runs May 17 – Jun 3 in Alaska, so do it before June 3.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Alaska in June?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Alaska the next lettuce window opens around July 9: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Alaska?
The statewide average first fall frost is around September 13 and the last spring frost around May 17. Alaska covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Alaska in June?
From plantings made on time: tatsoi, mizuna, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil, pea, bok choy / pak choi.
What to plant in June in other states
Dates are computed from Alaska’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.