What to plant in June in Virginia
In Virginia (VA), June is the heart of the growing season - about 9 weeks after the last frost (April 15) and 18 weeks before the first (October 20). The state averages 188 frost-free days a year (last frost April 15, first frost October 20; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a).
10 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including brussels sprouts.
Dates here come from Virginia frost dates (last frost Apr 15, first frost Oct 20). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Virginia.
Virginia 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.
Virginia: planting activity through the year
For fall and winter harvests (1)
Sowings counted back from Virginia'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 20 – Jul 7 | Opens Jun 20 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Cucumber: sow again on Jun 10
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Jun 17
- Bush Bean: sow again on Jun 3 and Jun 17
- Sweet Corn: sow again on Jun 3 and Jun 17
- Basil: sow again on Jun 10
- Edamame (Soybean): sow again on Jun 3 and Jun 17
- Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Jun 10 and Jun 24
- Sunflower: sow again on Jun 3 and Jun 17
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Jun 3 and Jun 17
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 Virginia
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Virginia: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: June garden jobs in Virginia
- 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.
- 18 weeks until the average first frost (October 20). Fall crops start now: brussels sprouts. 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: cilantro / coriander, green onion / scallion, collard greens, napa cabbage should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Virginia
Virginia spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a. 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 Virginia in June?
10 crops have a window in June: brussels sprouts. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Virginia in June?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Virginia have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 18.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Virginia in June?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Virginia the next lettuce window opens around August 15: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Virginia?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 20 and the last spring frost around April 15. Virginia 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 Virginia in June?
From plantings made on time: cilantro / coriander, green onion / scallion, collard greens, napa cabbage, amaranth (leaf), cabbage, carrot, dill, borage, basil.
What to plant in June in other states
Dates are computed from Virginia’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.