GreenlyWhat to plant in June in the Pacific Northwest
Worked out for 11 cities from their own weather and frost dates, by zone.
What to sow and plant in June in the Pacific Northwest, by zone: frost-free, highs above 82 °F (Boise and Yakima): zucchini, green beans, cucumber, melon, watermelon and 16 more; frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F (Portland, Spokane and 5 more): zucchini, green beans, cucumber, melon, watermelon and 15 more; frost-free, highs of 61–72 °F (Seattle and Olympia): broad bean, peas, onion, cabbage, cauliflower and 29 more.
In the Pacific Northwest, June is summer.
Frost-free, highs above 82 °F: Boise and Yakima
In June, on average, these cities have highs of 84 to 85 °F and lows of 57 °F, 0.4 to 0.9 in of rain on 2 to 4 days; the day lasts 15 h 25 min to 15 h 49 min (on the 15th). A dry month: whatever is sown needs watering.
No frost in June in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| sow direct | Zucchini, green beans, watermelon, pumpkin, sweet corn, basil, bok choy, borage, chayote, corn, Florence fennel, kiwano, luffa, moringa, Napa cabbage, okra, peanut, soybean | Yakima |
| start indoors, plant out in July | Cucumber, melon, achocha | Yakima |
Compared with May: new — soybean; no longer sown — tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, arugula and chili pepper.
Not starting in June: tomato (no month outdoors by these rules), bell pepper (no month outdoors by these rules), lettuce (October, sown direct), peas (October, sown direct) and spinach (October, sown direct) — dates for Boise.
Ready to harvest in June in Boise, if sown in the right month: broad bean (March), peas (April), lettuce (April), Swiss chard (April), beet (April), parsley (April), cilantro (April) and arugula (May).
Frost-free, highs of 72–82 °F: Portland, Spokane, Salem, Idaho Falls and 3 more
In June, on average, these cities have highs of 73 to 81 °F and lows of 49 to 53 °F, 0.8 to 2.1 in of rain on 4 to 9 days; the day lasts 15 h 16 min to 15 h 58 min (on the 15th).
No frost in June in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| start indoors, plant out in August | Tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, chili pepper, moringa | Portland, Salem and Tacoma |
| start indoors, plant out in July or sow direct | Zucchini, watermelon, pumpkin, basil, luffa, okra, peanut | all |
| sow direct | Green Beans, sweet corn, bok choy, borage, chayote, corn, Florence fennel, kiwano, Napa cabbage | all |
| start indoors, plant out in July | Cucumber, melon, achocha | all |
| sow direct | Arugula | Portland, Spokane, Salem and 3 more |
| sow direct | Soybean | Spokane, Salem and Idaho Falls |
Compared with May: new — green beans and soybean; no longer sown — peas, lettuce, radish, Swiss chard, beet, parsley, cilantro, celeriac and 5 more.
Not starting in June: lettuce (September, started indoors), peas (September, sown direct) and spinach (September, started indoors) — dates for Salem.
Ready to harvest in June in Salem, if sown in the right month: broad bean (March), peas (April), lettuce (April), radish (May), cabbage (February), broccoli (March), Swiss chard (April) and beet (April).
Frost-free, highs of 61–72 °F: Seattle and Olympia
In June, on average, these cities have highs of 71 °F and lows of 50 to 52 °F, 2.1 to 2.7 in of rain on 8 to 11 days; the day lasts 15 h 53 min to 15 h 58 min (on the 15th).
No frost in June in 10 years of data: frost-tender crops can go in too, if it is warm enough for them.
| How | What | Where |
|---|---|---|
| sow direct | Broad bean, cabbage, chickpea | Seattle |
| sow direct | Peas, beet, green beans, sweet corn, parsley, cilantro, arugula, bok choy, borage, chamomile, chayote, corn, dill, Florence fennel, kiwano, mustard greens, Napa cabbage | all |
| plant sets | Onion, shallot | Seattle |
| start indoors, plant out in July | Cauliflower | Seattle |
| start indoors, plant out in July | Zucchini, cucumber, melon, watermelon, pumpkin, basil, achocha, luffa, okra, peanut | all |
| start indoors, plant out in August | Brussels Sprouts | Seattle |
Compared with May: new — green beans; no longer sown — lettuce, radish, Swiss chard, tomato, bell pepper, eggplant, celery, chili pepper and 2 more.
Not starting in June: tomato (March, started indoors), bell pepper (March, started indoors), lettuce (August, started indoors) and spinach (September, started indoors) — dates for Seattle.
Ready to harvest in June in Seattle, if sown in the right month: broad bean (March), peas (April), spinach (April), lettuce (April), radish (May), carrot (April), broccoli (March) and Swiss chard (April).
How we work it out
For each city we use its average weather in June and the months after (highs, lows and rain for 2016–2025, ERA5 reanalysis via Open-Meteo) and its average frost dates. A crop starts in June if the month's mean temperature reaches the minimum soil temperature for germination on its card (we use the mean air temperature as a stand-in for the soil's) and if, over its first months (up to three), the average highs stay within its group's range, with no frost for crops that cannot take it. Crops started indoors count from the month they are planted out.
Temperature groups from Colorado State University Extension: cool-season crops prefer 60–80 °F and lose quality in heat; hardy ones grow in days as cool as 40 °F, semi-hardy ones from 40–50 °F (we use 50 °F); warm-season crops need days above 55 °F, and the most tender (tomato, pepper, eggplant, melon, watermelon, squash) above 60 °F, up to 95 °F. Crops the guide does not name go into the stricter group by their frost hardiness. Fava (broad) beans, which the guide does not name, count as hardy: hardy varieties are sown in fall and overwinter (RHS). Garlic and bulbs: a month before the first frost, and later only while the ground is not frozen (as on each city's page).
This is a general rule from averages: your garden can be a week or two earlier or later, and a greenhouse or a cold frame brings the season forward. Greenly works out the dates for your location.
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