What to plant in June in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania (PA), June is the heart of the growing season - about 6 weeks after the last frost (May 1) and 17 weeks before the first (October 10). The state averages 162 frost-free days a year (last frost May 1, first frost October 10; USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).
29 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 Pennsylvania frost dates (last frost May 1, first frost Oct 10). For one crop in detail, see when to plant eggplant, tomato or lettuce in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania: 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 (2)
Sowings counted back from Pennsylvania'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 10 – Jun 27 | Jun 10 – Jun 27 |
| Rutabaga | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 24 – Jul 11 | Opens Jun 24 |
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 Pennsylvania
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Pennsylvania: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: June garden jobs in Pennsylvania
- 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.
- 17 weeks until the average first frost (October 10). Fall crops start now: brussels sprouts, rutabaga. 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 Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania spans USDA zones 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 Pennsylvania in June?
29 crops have a window in June: eggplant, ginger, sweet potato, turmeric, brussels sprouts, rutabaga and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Pennsylvania in June?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Pennsylvania have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 6.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Pennsylvania in June?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Pennsylvania the next lettuce window opens around August 5: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Pennsylvania?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 10 and the last spring frost around May 1. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania’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.