What to plant in June in New York
In New York (NY), June is the heart of the growing season - about 6 weeks after the last frost (May 1) and 16 weeks before the first (October 5). The state averages 157 frost-free days a year (last frost May 1, first frost October 5; USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).
32 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including eggplant, ginger, sweet potato, turmeric, brussels sprouts, rutabaga - and 4 of those windows close during June.
Dates here come from New York frost dates (last frost May 1, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant eggplant, broccoli or cabbage in New York.
New York 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.
New York: planting activity through the year
Last chance in June
Eggplant (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Ginger (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Sweet Potato (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1) · Turmeric (transplant outdoors, by Jun 1)
Sow or plant outdoors in June (4)
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Eggplant | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Ginger | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Sweet Potato | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
| Turmeric | Transplant outdoors | May 15 – Jun 1 | Last chance - ends Jun 1 |
For fall and winter harvests (5)
Sowings counted back from New York'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.
- Cucumber: sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 26
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Jun 5
- Bush Bean: sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 19
- Lettuce: sow again on Jun 4
- Carrot: sow again on Jun 3
- Radish: sow again on Jun 2
- Sweet Corn: sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 19
- Basil: sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 26
- Arugula: sow again on Jun 2
- Turnip: sow again on Jun 5
- Kohlrabi: sow again on Jun 5
- Mustard Greens: sow again on Jun 5
- Green Onion / Scallion: sow again on Jun 5
- Fennel (Bulb): sow again on Jun 5
- Mache (Corn Salad): sow again on Jun 5
- Edamame (Soybean): sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 19
- Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Jun 12 and Jun 26
- Sunflower: sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 19
- Rapini (Broccoli Raab): sow again on Jun 5
- Tatsoi: sow again on Jun 2
- Mizuna: sow again on Jun 2
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Jun 5 and Jun 19
- Chervil: sow again on Jun 5
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 New York
Every crop has its own full-year dates for New York: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: June garden jobs in New York
- 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: lettuce, turnip, rapini (broccoli raab), chervil should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for New York
New York spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 New York in June?
32 crops have a window in June: eggplant, ginger, sweet potato, turmeric, brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in New York in June?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in New York have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 6.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in New York in June?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In New York the next lettuce window opens around July 31: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in New York?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around May 1. New York 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 New York 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 New York’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.