Garden Notes June 2026

Written By Webmaster PMGA

In Zones 8a and 8b, June marks the shift from active planting to summer management. Heat intensifies, rainfall can become inconsistent, and plants grow rapidly. Success this month depends on consistent watering, mulching, harvesting frequently, and staying ahead of pests and disease before peak summer stress sets in.

🌞 VEGETABLE GARDEN – JUNE

🌱 Direct Sow (Early June Best)

You can still plant heat lovers:

  • Okra

  • Southern peas

  • Bush beans (final succession plantings)

  • Cucumbers (early June)

  • Summer squash & zucchini (early June)

  • Pumpkins (early June for fall harvest)

  • Melons (early June)

Late June plantings may struggle in extreme heat, especially in hot 8a regions.

🌿 Transplant

  • Sweet potato slips (early June latest)

  • Heat-tolerant herbs (basil, oregano, thyme)

  • Pepper transplants (early June only)

Avoid transplanting tomatoes now unless for a fall crop plan.

🥬 Harvest & Maintain

  • Pick beans and squash every 1–2 days.

  • Harvest cucumbers before oversized.

  • Begin harvesting early tomatoes in warm 8b climates.

  • Dig early potatoes once vines yellow.

Frequent harvesting encourages continued production.

🍅 Tomato Care in June

  • Remove yellowing lower leaves.

  • Prune lightly for airflow.

  • Mulch heavily (3 inches).

  • Watch for early blight and hornworms.

In extreme heat (95°F+), blossoms may drop — this is normal.

🍓 FRUIT CARE – JUNE

Harvest Season Expands

  • Blueberries

  • Blackberries

  • Early peaches

  • Plums (late June in warm areas)

Maintenance

  • Water deeply during fruit swelling.

  • Net remaining berries.

  • Remove fallen fruit to reduce pests.

Avoid heavy pruning during heat.

🌸 FLOWERS – JUNE

Direct Sow (Early June Only)

  • Zinnias

  • Sunflowers

  • Cosmos

  • Marigolds

  • Celosia

Heat-Tolerant Perennials Thriving Now

  • Echinacea purpurea

  • Rudbeckia hirta

  • Gaillardia pulchella

  • Asclepias tuberosa

  • Panicum virgatum

Deadhead regularly to extend bloom.

🐝 POLLINATOR SUPPORT

June is peak pollinator activity:

  • Milkweed in full growth

  • Salvia

  • Lavender

  • Coreopsis

  • Dill & fennel (host plants for swallowtails)

Avoid spraying insecticides during bloom periods.

✂️ PRUNING & SUMMER TASKS

Roses

  • Deadhead continuously.

  • Light shaping only.

Shrubs

  • Finish pruning spring bloomers early June.

  • Do not hard prune in high heat.

Garlic

  • Stop watering when tops begin to brown.

  • Harvest once 50% of leaves yellow.

🐛 PEST WATCH – JUNE

Common issues intensify:

  • Squash vine borers

  • Tomato hornworms

  • Aphids

  • Spider mites (especially in hot, dry 8a areas)

  • Stink bugs on tomatoes

Inspect plants twice weekly.

💧 WATER MANAGEMENT

Critical month for irrigation discipline:

  • 1–1.5 inches of water per week minimum.

  • Deep soak 2–3 times weekly.

  • Water early morning.

  • Maintain 2–3 inches of mulch.

In sandy soils (common in parts of 8b Southeast), watering may need to increase.

🌡️ WEATHER CONTINGENCIES

Extreme Heat (95–100°F+)

  • Blossom drop on tomatoes and peppers is normal.

  • Provide afternoon shade for leafy greens.

  • Increase watering frequency but not shallow watering.

Heavy Rain Periods

  • Watch for fungal disease.

  • Improve airflow.

  • Avoid working in wet soil.

🗓️ Late June Planning

  • Start planning fall garden.

  • Order seeds for late-summer planting.

  • Consider starting fall tomato seeds indoors late June.

Webmaster PMGA https://pmgv.org
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Garden Notes May 2026