What to plant in June in Minnesota
In Minnesota (MN), June is the heart of the growing season - about 6 weeks after the last frost (May 6) and 15 weeks before the first (September 28). The state averages 145 frost-free days a year (last frost May 6, first frost September 28; USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a).
46 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including basil, bitter melon, cantaloupe / muskmelon, chayote, cucamelon, cucumber - and 18 of those windows close during June.
Dates here come from Minnesota frost dates (last frost May 6, first frost Sep 28). For one crop in detail, see when to plant basil, cantaloupe or cucumber in Minnesota.
Minnesota: planting activity through the year
Last chance in June
Basil (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Bitter Melon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Chayote (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Cucamelon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Cucumber (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Lima Bean (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Malabar Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Okra (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Peanut (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Southern Pea (Cowpea) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Watermelon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 3) · Eggplant (transplant outdoors, by Jun 6) · Ginger (transplant outdoors, by Jun 6) · Sweet Potato (transplant outdoors, by Jun 6) · Turmeric (transplant outdoors, by Jun 6) · Brussels Sprouts (start transplants for fall, by Jun 15)
Sow or plant outdoors in June (17)
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 | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 15 – Jun 3 | Last chance - ends Jun 3 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 6 | Last chance - ends Jun 6 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 6 | Last chance - ends Jun 6 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 6 | Last chance - ends Jun 6 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | May 20 – Jun 6 | Last chance - ends Jun 6 |
For fall and winter harvests (8)
Sowings counted back from Minnesota'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 | May 29 – Jun 15 | Last chance - ends Jun 15 |
| Rutabaga | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 12 – Jun 29 | Jun 12 – Jun 29 |
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Jun 19 – Jul 6 | Opens Jun 19 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Jun 19 – Jul 6 | Opens Jun 19 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Jun 19 – Jul 6 | Opens Jun 19 |
| Cucumber | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 26 – Jul 13 | Opens Jun 26 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 26 – Jul 13 | Opens Jun 26 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Sow for a fall crop | 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 10
- Bush Bean: sow again on Jun 10 and Jun 24
- Lettuce: sow again on Jun 9
- Carrot: sow again on Jun 8
- Beet: sow again on Jun 1
- Radish: sow again on Jun 7
- Sweet Corn: sow again on Jun 10 and Jun 24
- Arugula: sow again on Jun 7
- Turnip: sow again on Jun 10
- Kohlrabi: sow again on Jun 10
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on Jun 3
- Mustard Greens: sow again on Jun 10
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on Jun 10
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on Jun 10
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on Jun 3
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Jun 10
- Edamame (Soybean): sow again on Jun 10 and Jun 24
- Sunflower: sow again on Jun 10 and Jun 24
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on Jun 10
- Tatsoi: sow again on Jun 7
- Mizuna: sow again on Jun 7
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Jun 10 and Jun 24
- Chervil: sow again on Jun 10
- Watercress: sow again on Jun 3
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 Minnesota
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Minnesota: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: June garden jobs in Minnesota
- 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.
- 15 weeks until the average first frost (September 28). 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: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Minnesota
Minnesota spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. 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 Minnesota in June?
46 crops have a window in June: basil, bitter melon, cantaloupe / muskmelon, chayote, cucamelon, cucumber, lima bean, 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 Minnesota in June?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Minnesota have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 11.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Minnesota in June?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Minnesota the next lettuce window opens around July 24: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Minnesota?
The statewide average first fall frost is around September 28 and the last spring frost around May 6. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Minnesota in June?
From plantings made on time: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil, pea, bok choy / pak choi, beet, kohlrabi, kale, cilantro / coriander.
What to plant in June in other states
Dates are computed from Minnesota’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.