What to plant in June in Montana
In Montana (MT), June comes about 4 weeks after the average last frost (May 15). The state averages 123 frost-free days a year (last frost May 15, first frost September 15; USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a).
69 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including ground cherry, new zealand spinach, peanut, pumpkin, rosemary, shiso (perilla) - and 55 of those windows close during June.
Dates here come from Montana frost dates (last frost May 15, first frost Sep 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant pumpkin, tomato or winter squash in Montana.
Montana 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.
Montana: planting activity through the year
Last chance in June
Ground Cherry (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · New Zealand Spinach (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Peanut (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Pumpkin (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Rosemary (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Shiso (Perilla) (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Summer Savory (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Sunflower (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Sweet Marjoram (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Tomatillo (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Tomato (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Winter Squash (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Amaranth (Leaf) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 5) · Bush Bean (direct sow (spring), by Jun 5) · Edamame (Soybean) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 5) · New Zealand Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Jun 5) · Pole Bean (direct sow (spring), by Jun 5) · Pumpkin (direct sow (spring), by Jun 5) · Shiso (Perilla) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 5) · Summer Savory (direct sow (spring), by Jun 5) · Sweet Corn (direct sow (spring), by Jun 5) · Sweet Marjoram (direct sow (spring), by Jun 5) · Winter Squash (direct sow (spring), by Jun 5) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (direct sow (spring), by Jun 5) · Basil (transplant outdoors, by Jun 8) · Bell Pepper (transplant outdoors, by Jun 8) · Bitter Melon (transplant outdoors, by Jun 8) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (transplant outdoors, by Jun 8) · Chili Pepper (transplant outdoors, by Jun 8) · Cucamelon (transplant outdoors, by Jun 8) · Cucumber (transplant outdoors, by Jun 8) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (transplant outdoors, by Jun 8) · Malabar Spinach (transplant outdoors, by Jun 8) · Okra (transplant outdoors, by Jun 8) · Watermelon (transplant outdoors, by Jun 8) · Basil (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Bitter Melon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Cantaloupe / Muskmelon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Chayote (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Cucamelon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Cucumber (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Lima Bean (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Luffa (Loofah Gourd) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Malabar Spinach (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Okra (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Peanut (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Southern Pea (Cowpea) (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Watermelon (direct sow (spring), by Jun 12) · Eggplant (transplant outdoors, by Jun 15) · Ginger (transplant outdoors, by Jun 15) · Sweet Potato (transplant outdoors, by Jun 15) · Turmeric (transplant outdoors, by Jun 15) · Brussels Sprouts (start transplants for fall, by Jun 2) · Rutabaga (sow for a fall crop, by Jun 16)
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 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Peanut | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Pumpkin | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Rosemary | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Summer Savory | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Sunflower | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Tomatillo | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Tomato | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Winter Squash | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Amaranth (Leaf) | Direct sow (spring) | May 17 – Jun 5 | Last chance - ends Jun 5 |
| Bush Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 17 – Jun 5 | Last chance - ends Jun 5 |
| Edamame (Soybean) | Direct sow (spring) | May 17 – Jun 5 | Last chance - ends Jun 5 |
| New Zealand Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | May 17 – Jun 5 | Last chance - ends Jun 5 |
| Pole Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 17 – Jun 5 | Last chance - ends Jun 5 |
| Pumpkin | Direct sow (spring) | May 17 – Jun 5 | Last chance - ends Jun 5 |
| Shiso (Perilla) | Direct sow (spring) | May 17 – Jun 5 | Last chance - ends Jun 5 |
| Summer Savory | Direct sow (spring) | May 17 – Jun 5 | Last chance - ends Jun 5 |
| Sweet Corn | Direct sow (spring) | May 17 – Jun 5 | Last chance - ends Jun 5 |
| Sweet Marjoram | Direct sow (spring) | May 17 – Jun 5 | Last chance - ends Jun 5 |
| Winter Squash | Direct sow (spring) | May 17 – Jun 5 | Last chance - ends Jun 5 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Direct sow (spring) | May 17 – Jun 5 | Last chance - ends Jun 5 |
| Basil | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 8 | Last chance - ends Jun 8 |
| Bell Pepper | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 8 | Last chance - ends Jun 8 |
| Bitter Melon | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 8 | Last chance - ends Jun 8 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 8 | Last chance - ends Jun 8 |
| Chili Pepper | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 8 | Last chance - ends Jun 8 |
| Cucamelon | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 8 | Last chance - ends Jun 8 |
| Cucumber | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 8 | Last chance - ends Jun 8 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 8 | Last chance - ends Jun 8 |
| Malabar Spinach | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 8 | Last chance - ends Jun 8 |
| Okra | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 8 | Last chance - ends Jun 8 |
| Watermelon | Transplant outdoors | May 22 – Jun 8 | Last chance - ends Jun 8 |
| Basil | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Bitter Melon | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Cantaloupe / Muskmelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Chayote | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Cucamelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Cucumber | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Lima Bean | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Luffa (Loofah Gourd) | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Malabar Spinach | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Okra | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Peanut | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Southern Pea (Cowpea) | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Watermelon | Direct sow (spring) | May 24 – Jun 12 | Last chance - ends Jun 12 |
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 15 | Last chance - ends Jun 15 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 15 | Last chance - ends Jun 15 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 15 | Last chance - ends Jun 15 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | May 29 – Jun 15 | Last chance - ends Jun 15 |
For fall and winter harvests (18)
Sowings counted back from Montana'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 16 – Jun 2 | Last chance - ends Jun 2 |
| Rutabaga | Sow for a fall crop | May 30 – Jun 16 | Last chance - ends Jun 16 |
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Jun 6 – Jun 23 | Jun 6 – Jun 23 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Jun 6 – Jun 23 | Jun 6 – Jun 23 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Jun 6 – Jun 23 | Jun 6 – Jun 23 |
| Cucumber | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 13 – Jun 30 | Jun 13 – Jun 30 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 13 – Jun 30 | Jun 13 – Jun 30 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 13 – Jun 30 | Jun 13 – Jun 30 |
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 20 – Jul 7 | Opens Jun 20 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 20 – Jul 7 | Opens Jun 20 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 20 – Jul 7 | Opens Jun 20 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 20 – Jul 7 | Opens Jun 20 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 27 – Jul 14 | Opens Jun 27 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 27 – Jul 14 | Opens Jun 27 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 27 – Jul 14 | Opens Jun 27 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 27 – Jul 14 | Opens Jun 27 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 27 – Jul 14 | Opens Jun 27 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 27 – Jul 14 | Opens Jun 27 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Pea: sow again on Jun 9
- Lettuce: sow again on Jun 6 and Jun 18
- Spinach: sow again on Jun 9
- Carrot: sow again on Jun 17
- Beet: sow again on Jun 10
- Radish: sow again on Jun 6 and Jun 16
- Cilantro / Coriander: sow again on Jun 6
- Dill: sow again on Jun 5
- Arugula: sow again on Jun 4 and Jun 16
- Turnip: sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 19
- Kohlrabi: sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 19
- Bok Choy / Pak Choi: sow again on Jun 12
- Mustard Greens: sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 19
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on Jun 19
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on Jun 19
- Endive & Escarole: sow again on Jun 12
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 19
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 19
- Tatsoi: sow again on Jun 4 and Jun 16
- Mizuna: sow again on Jun 4 and Jun 16
- Chervil: sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 19
- Watercress: sow again on Jun 12
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 Montana
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Montana: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Main planting month: June garden jobs in Montana
- With the average last frost on May 15, 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 Montana
Montana spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a. 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 Montana in June?
69 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 Montana in June?
No - transplant outdoors runs May 15 – Jun 1 in Montana, so do it before June 1.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Montana in June?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Montana the next lettuce window opens around July 11: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Montana?
The statewide average first fall frost is around September 15 and the last spring frost around May 15. Montana 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 Montana 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 Montana’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.