What to plant in June in Michigan
In Michigan (MI), June is the heart of the growing season - about 5 weeks after the last frost (May 10) and 16 weeks before the first (October 5). The state averages 148 frost-free days a year (last frost May 10, first frost October 5; USDA zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b).
51 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including basil, bell pepper, bitter melon, cantaloupe / muskmelon, chili pepper, cucamelon - and 28 of those windows close during June.
Dates here come from Michigan frost dates (last frost May 10, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant basil, bell pepper or cantaloupe in Michigan.
Michigan 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.
Michigan: planting activity through the year
Last chance in June
Basil (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Bell Pepper (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Bitter Melon (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Chili Pepper (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Cucamelon (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Cucumber (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Malabar Spinach (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Okra (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Watermelon (transplant outdoors, by Jun 3) · Basil (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Bitter Melon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Chayote (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Cucamelon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Cucumber (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Lima Bean (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Malabar Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Okra (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Peanut (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Southern Pea (Cowpea) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Watermelon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 7) · Eggplant (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Ginger (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Sweet Potato (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10) · Turmeric (transplant outdoors, by Jun 10)
Sow or plant outdoors in June (28)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | May 17 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 19 – Jun 7 | Last chance - ends Jun 7 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | May 24 – Jun 10 | Last chance - ends Jun 10 |
For fall and winter harvests (5)
Sowings counted back from Michigan'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels Sprouts | Start transplants for fall | Jun 5 – Jun 22 | Jun 5 – Jun 22 |
| Rutabaga | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 19 – Jul 6 | Opens Jun 19 |
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Jun 26 – Jul 13 | Opens Jun 26 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Jun 26 – Jul 13 | Opens Jun 26 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Jun 26 – Jul 13 | Opens Jun 26 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Jun 14
- Bush Bean: sow again on Jun 14 and Jun 28
- Pea: sow again on Jun 4
- Lettuce: sow again on Jun 1 and Jun 13
- Spinach: sow again on Jun 4
- Carrot: sow again on Jun 12
- Beet: sow again on Jun 5
- Radish: sow again on Jun 1 and Jun 11
- Sweet Corn: sow again on Jun 14 and Jun 28
- Cilantro / Coriander: sow again on Jun 1
- Arugula: sow again on Jun 11
- Turnip: sow again on Jun 14
- Kohlrabi: sow again on Jun 14
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on Jun 7
- Mustard Greens: sow again on Jun 14
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on Jun 14
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on Jun 14
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on Jun 7
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Jun 14
- Edamame (Soybean): sow again on Jun 14 and Jun 28
- Sunflower: sow again on Jun 14 and Jun 28
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on Jun 14
- Tatsoi: sow again on Jun 11
- Mizuna: sow again on Jun 11
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Jun 14 and Jun 28
- Chervil: sow again on Jun 14
- Watercress: sow again on Jun 7
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 Michigan
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Michigan: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: June garden jobs in Michigan
- 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.
- 16 weeks until the average first frost (October 5). Fall crops start now: brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage. See the fall and winter garden guide.
- Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
- Harvest often: tatsoi, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Michigan
Michigan spans USDA zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b. 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 Michigan in June?
51 crops have a window in June: basil, bell pepper, bitter melon, cantaloupe / muskmelon, chili pepper, cucamelon, cucumber, luffa (loofah gourd), malabar spinach, okra and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Michigan in June?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Michigan have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 15.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Michigan in June?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Michigan the next lettuce window opens around July 31: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Michigan?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around May 10. Michigan 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 Michigan in June?
From plantings made on time: tatsoi, mustard greens, mache (corn salad), lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil, pea, bok choy / pak choi, beet.
What to plant in June in other states
Dates are computed from Michigan’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.