June Garden Mastery: Plant, Harvest, and Prep for Summer Resilience

What to Do in Your Vegetable Garden in June

Intro

June is the turning point for mountain vegetable gardens in Eagle, Garfield, Summit, and Pitkin Counties! Whether you're just getting started or nurturing young seedlings, there's still plenty you can plant, harvest, and prepare. With a few smart moves (and a little shade cloth), you can keep your garden thriving through the wild ups and downs of summer weather.

What You'll Learn

• What you can still plant in June

• How to care for tomato and squash family plants

• Key harvesting tips to make the most of early crops

• Skills to hone for summer success

• How to prep for fall gardens and preserving

Still Time to Plant: Herbs, Greens, and Roots

Don't hang up your garden gloves just yet! There's still time to plant a variety of herbs, greens, and root vegetables if you choose heat-tolerant varieties and provide a little afternoon shade.

Plant now:

• Herbs:

• Greens:

• Roots:

(Need help picking heat-tolerant greens? Check out our All About Greens guide for mountain gardeners!)

(Explore our All About Herbs post for flavorful herbs you can still plant this month!)

Prepping and Planting: Tomatoes and Squash Family Plants

Your warm-season favorites — tomatoes, peppers, and squash — are eager to stretch their roots in the warm June soil.

Tomato Family Tips:

• Transplant deeply:

• Stake or cage early:

• Deep water:

(New to growing tomatoes in the mountains? Dive into our All About Tomatoes guide for detailed tips!)

Squash Family Tips:

• Plant into soft mulch:

• Watch for pests:

• Plan for space:

(For squash lovers, our All About Squash blog has you covered!)

Bonus:

• Peppers

(Learn the best practices for strong, happy peppers in our All About Peppers post.)

Harvest Time: How to Know When Greens, Herbs, and Roots are Ready

Greens: Taste is your guide! Harvest tender leaves before they turn bitter in the heat.

Herbs: Harvest often to encourage new growth. Snip base growers (like basil) just above a set of leaves, and trim branchers (like thyme) lightly.

Roots:

• Radishes, turnips, and beets

• Carrots

Essential Skills for June Gardeners

Sharpening your skills now sets the stage for a resilient summer garden!

Watering:

• Test first:

• Soak deeply:

Mulching:

• Apply soft mulch to regulate soil temperature, retain water, and suppress weeds.

Covering:

• Use shade cloth for delicate plants and be ready to throw covers over everything during hailstorms.

Fertilizing:

• Feed plants now through August for continuous growth.

Advanced Bonus:

• Succession Planting:

• Season Extension:

Looking Ahead: Fall Gardening and Preserving Starts Now

It feels early, but smart gardeners know: Fall success starts in June!

Planning:

• Sketch out where fall crops (greens, brassicas) will go.

• Start seedlings indoors or under shade cloth.

Gathering:

• Collect seeds, jars, lids, bags, and preserving recipes.

Preserving:

• Start experimenting with small batches of greens now to master techniques before peak harvest season.

Conclusion

June is a month of vibrant possibilities for mountain gardeners! Whether you're planting one more round of carrots, tending to tomatoes, or sketching out your fall garden dreams, your work now builds resilience for seasons to come.

🌻 Need personalized advice or a little nudge to get growing? Visit Wiggle Worm Gardens to chat with our friendly team, stock up on plants, or sign up for an upcoming class!

(And if you're feeling curious, don't miss our All About Series for deep dives into all your favorite garden crops!)

Key Takeaways

• Discover what to plant in June for mountain climates

• Learn tomato, squash, and pepper care tailored to high-altitude gardens

• Master harvesting techniques for greens, herbs, and roots

• Build summer resilience with mulching, watering, and succession planting

• Plan for fall gardening and preserving now for smoother seasonal transitions