June promises longer, sunnier days and warmer temperatures ideal for flourishing plants. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS): “Now’s the time to get your veg off the best possible start. So make sure anything you plant out is fed, watered and given appropriate support.”
Although many vegetables are nearing their harvest season, there are some which can be sown and planted throughout June.
If you want to get a head start, you should plant your vegetables sooner rather than later.
Here are five vegetables to plant in June:
Runner beans
Runner beans are tender plants which won’t survive the frost, which is why it is best to wait until the warmer weather before sowing seeds outdoors.
You can sow your runner beans into pots of multi-purpose compost to transplant into the ground later, or directly in large containers outside.
They thrive in rich, deep, fertile soil.
The RHS advised choosing a sheltered, sunny spot as their final growing site.
Runner beans will also need support as they grow tall.
The RHS said: “It’s also best to put the supports in place first – usually tall bamboo canes in a wigwam or double row.”
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Squash
Squash is ideally suited to being sown in April and May, though you can get last-minute crops planted out in June for an October harvest.
Seeds can also be sown outdoors in the spot where they are to grow in late May or early June.
Make sure to prepare the ground where your squash will grow by using a mixture of homemade compost or well-rotted manure and soil.
The surrounding soil and compost should be kept consistently moist, and plants should be fed every 10 to 14 days with a “high potassium liquid fertiliser, such as tomato feed” when the first fruits emerge.
Beetroot
Beetroots sown in June make for a great late-season harvest and can be stored for use in early winter.
Choose an area of well-drained, fertile soil to plant your vegetables.
Before sowing, make sure to dig in a bucketful of well-rotted garden compost.
During dry spells, beetroot plants should be watered every 10 to 14 days.
Nitrogen fertiliser can help to boost their growth.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a relatively easy plant to grow and comes in a variety of colours and flavours. Most plants can be sown right through until September.
The RHS recommended: “Grow lettuces in full sun in moisture-retentive soil.
“You can also grow lettuces in containers and growing bags, but be sure to water regularly.”
You should water your plants when the soil is dry, ideally early in the morning.
If you are having problems with local wildlife nibbling at your crops, a horticultural fleece can offer some protection.
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