Planting calendar
June Planting Guide for Boston, MA: Raised Beds, Containers, and In-Ground Gardens
In June, Boston gardeners can focus on planting warm-season vegetables and herbs in raised beds, containers, and in-ground gardens. This is an ideal time to transplant seedlings and sow heat-tolerant crops directly outdoors. Be mindful of summer heat and water needs as plants establish.
Plant now (quick list)
Tomatoes, Peppers, Eggplants, Bush beans, Cucumbers, Summer squash, Basil, Dill
Plant now
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Eggplants
- Bush beans
- Cucumbers
- Summer squash
- Basil
- Dill
- Marigolds
- Zinnias
Start indoors
- Fall broccoli
- Cabbage
- Cauliflower
- Kale
- Brussels sprouts
- Lettuce (for late summer transplant)
- Spinach (for fall harvest)
- Herbs like parsley and cilantro
- Swiss chard
- Collard greens
Avoid
- Peas (too warm now)
- Potatoes (harvested in spring, avoid replanting)
- Cool-season crops like radishes and carrots (slow growth in heat)
- Newly sown lettuce (will bolt quickly)
- Excessive direct sowing of spinach (will bolt)
- Overcrowding seedlings
- Planting frost-sensitive crops too early in shaded areas
- Waterlogging soil
- Ignoring pest management
- Neglecting soil moisture
Next 2 weeks
- Transplant warm-season seedlings outdoors after hardening off
- Direct sow bush beans and cucumbers in raised beds or containers
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
- Monitor for pests like aphids and tomato hornworms
- Water deeply in the morning to reduce evaporation
- Pinch back herbs like basil to encourage bushy growth
- Stake or cage tomatoes and peppers
- Harvest early crops like lettuce and radishes regularly
- Fertilize container plants with balanced, water-soluble fertilizer
- Remove any yellowing or diseased leaves promptly
FAQs
Can I plant tomatoes directly in the ground in Boston in June?
Yes, June is a great time to transplant tomato seedlings outdoors in Boston once the risk of frost has passed and soil has warmed.
How often should I water container plants during June?
Container plants typically need daily watering in June due to heat and faster drying; check soil moisture regularly and water when the top inch feels dry.
Is it too late to start cool-season crops in June?
It's generally too warm to sow cool-season crops directly outdoors now, but you can start them indoors for a late summer or fall transplant.
What are good companion plants for tomatoes in raised beds?
Basil, marigolds, and nasturtiums are excellent companions that can help deter pests and improve tomato growth.
How can I protect my garden from pests in June?
Regularly inspect plants, handpick pests like hornworms, use insecticidal soaps if needed, and encourage beneficial insects by planting flowers.
Next steps
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