My Planting Calendar

What to plant in June in Massachusetts

In Massachusetts (MA), June is the heart of the growing season - about 7 weeks after the last frost (April 24) and 17 weeks before the first (October 14). The state averages 173 frost-free days a year (last frost April 24, first frost October 14; USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a).

11 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including brussels sprouts, rutabaga.

Dates here come from Massachusetts frost dates (last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 14). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Massachusetts.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 11Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 39

Massachusetts: planting activity through the year

1
24
65
78
66
11
24
32
8
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 24 – Oct 14
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 11 have one in June; the busiest month is April (78).

For fall and winter harvests (2)

Sowings counted back from Massachusetts's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
Brussels SproutsStart transplants for fallJun 14 – Jul 1Opens Jun 14
RutabagaSow for a fall cropJun 28 – Jul 15Opens Jun 28

Keep sowing (succession)

Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.

Harvesting in June

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Lettuce · May 10 – Jun 9Turnip · May 13 – Jun 2Rapini (Broccoli Raab) · May 13 – Jun 2Chervil · May 13 – Jun 2Beet · May 16 – Jun 5Kohlrabi · May 18 – Jun 2Kale · May 23 – Jun 7Cilantro / Coriander · May 25 – Jun 19Green Onion / Scallion · May 26 – Jun 15Collard Greens · May 28 – Jun 17Swiss Chard · May 30 – Jun 9Napa Cabbage · May 30 – Jun 24Watercress · May 30 – Jun 9Amaranth (Leaf) · May 31 – Jun 20Cabbage · Jun 2 – Jul 12Carrot · Jun 2 – Jun 22Dill · Jun 3 – Jun 23Borage · Jun 4 – Jun 24Basil · Jun 7 – Jul 7Broccoli · Jun 9 – Jul 4Cauliflower · Jun 9 – Jul 9Radicchio · Jun 9 – Jul 19Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Jun 10 – Jun 25Zucchini / Summer Squash · Jun 15 – Jun 30Tarragon · Jun 16 – Jul 16Potato · Jun 19 – Aug 8Parsley · Jun 19 – Jul 9Bush Bean · Jun 20 – Jun 30New Zealand Spinach · Jun 20 – Jul 10Fennel (Bulb) · Jun 21 – Jul 16Summer Savory · Jun 25 – Jul 10Mint · Jun 26 – Jul 16Lemon Balm · Jun 26 – Jul 16Cucumber · Jun 27 – Jul 17Okra · Jun 27 – Jul 12Tomato · Jun 30 – Jul 25Pole Bean · Jun 30 – Jul 10Sweet Corn · Jun 30 – Aug 9Sweet Marjoram · Jun 30 – Jul 20

Planting dates for popular crops in Massachusetts

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Massachusetts: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant tomato in Massachusetts →When to plant lettuce in Massachusetts →When to plant garlic in Massachusetts →When to plant bell pepper in Massachusetts →When to plant carrot in Massachusetts →When to plant onion in Massachusetts →When to plant pea in Massachusetts →When to plant spinach in Massachusetts →Massachusetts frost dates by zone →

Peak growing season: June garden jobs in Massachusetts

  1. Water deeply two or three times a week rather than a little every day - about an inch a week, more in heat. See watering a vegetable garden.
  2. 17 weeks until the average first frost (October 14). Fall crops start now: brussels sprouts, rutabaga. See the fall and winter garden guide.
  3. Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
  4. Harvest often: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Massachusetts

Massachusetts spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Massachusetts in June?

11 crops have a window in June: brussels sprouts, rutabaga and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Massachusetts in June?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Massachusetts have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 27.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Massachusetts in June?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Massachusetts the next lettuce window opens around August 9: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in Massachusetts?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 14 and the last spring frost around April 24. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Massachusetts in June?

From plantings made on time: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil, beet, kohlrabi, kale, cilantro / coriander, green onion / scallion, collard greens.

← May in MassachusettsJuly in Massachusetts →Full-year Massachusetts planting calendar →Massachusetts frost dates →

What to plant in June in other states

ConnecticutMaineNew HampshireNew YorkRhode IslandVermontAlabamaAlaskaAll states →

Dates are computed from Massachusetts’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.