June Gardening Tips

No one likes to get the bitter taste of “tired” veggies. There is a simple solution. Keep planting.  Continual planting assures quicker growth and less die-off. Starts are in stock and seeds are still available to sow.  By continually planting lettuce, spinach, radishes, broccoli, cauliflower, cucumbers, etc. you are assured better tasting veggies throughout the growing season with an on-going harvest.

Once your crop is done with its main production, be prepared with new transplants of a different type of crop to take their place.  Remove the old plants and replace them with seedlings you grew or starts purchased.

If peas are finishing up, replace them with squash or cucumber plants. Or something else that can utilize the existing trellis.  When broccoli is all done, put some tomato plants in. Never leave a good planting area stagnant.  Take advantage of the space and weather as much as possible.

How is the soil doing?

When doing succession planting, keep in mind your soil nutrients may need a boost.  If you mixed a granular, slow-acting fertilizer into the soil when you first prepared the area, it should carry you through even an extended season.  When in doubt, mix more slow release fertilizer into the soil just prior to a second planting.

Aerating the soil between plantings is another great tip to getting the most out of your crop. It shouldn’t take too long to cultivate.  The soil is already in prime condition. You just want it to be leveled out and freshened up.  Again, if you had some heavy feeders in there, drop in the fertilizer while you are doing the cultivating.

Crop Succession Ideas

Try to have as many plants seeded and grow in peat pots as you can or purchase them from the local nursery. This gives the plants a head start to getting firmly established. Once you do a second harvest, you should have enough time to get the cool weather crops in.

Choose varieties of late season crops that are early maturing. This way you can get one more harvest in before winter.

Perennial Crops

Asparagus, Rhubarb, Chives, Horseradish, Winter Onions

Common Early Season Producers

Common Veggies Around Most of the Growing Season

Veggies To Use For Fall and Winter Harvest