Your June Garden Checklist: What to Plant, Prune, and Plan

June is the peak of the growing season here in Southeastern Massachusetts—and your garden is bursting with energy. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned green thumb, now is the perfect time to check in, tidy up, and lay the groundwork for a successful summer. Here’s your go-to checklist for June, complete with planting ideas, fertilizing tips, pest control pointers, and planning prompts.

🌿 What to Plant

June offers warm soil and long days—perfect for planting a range of heat-loving annuals, edibles, and perennials.

Annuals & Colorful Containers

• Supertunias, lantana, calibrachoa, and Proven Winners selections are ready to shine.

• Add pollinator-friendly flowers like salvia, cosmos, and zinnias to support bees and butterflies (and join our Plant a Pollinator promotion while you’re at it!).

Edibles

• It’s not too late to plant tomatoes, peppers, basil, squash, cucumbers, and beans.

• June is ideal for sowing successive crops like lettuce, spinach, and arugula in partial shade.

Perennials & Shrubs

• Native plants and pollinator-friendly perennials (like coneflowers and milkweed) thrive when planted now.

• Consider adding a few American Beauties Native Plants—perfect for our local ecosystem and included in our Grow Campaign focus.

✂️ What to Prune

Now that spring growth is in full swing, pruning is about guiding—not cutting back too aggressively.

• Spring-flowering shrubs like lilacs, forsythia, and viburnum should be pruned right after they bloom.

• Pinch back leggy annuals like coleus and petunias to encourage bushier growth.

• Remove spent blooms (deadheading) on perennials and annuals to keep plants flowering longer.

🐛 Pest Control

With the heat comes bugs—but smart prevention can keep your garden healthy.

• Inspect regularly for aphids, Japanese beetles, and slugs. A light blast of water or insecticidal soap can manage many pests early.

• Consider organic treatments from Bonide or Espoma, available at Redwood Nursery.

• Encourage natural predators by planting herbs like dill and fennel, which attract ladybugs and lacewings.

🌱 Fertilizing Tips

June is a feeding month—just don’t overdo it.

• Feed blooming plants every 2–3 weeks with Espoma Bloom! or Plant-tone.

• Use slow-release fertilizer for shrubs and perennials if you haven’t already done so.

• Container plants dry out and leach nutrients faster—use liquid fertilizer weekly for best results.

🗓️ Garden Planning & Upkeep

Now’s the time to think ahead while enjoying the present.

• Mulch garden beds to conserve moisture and suppress weeds—check out our Coast of Maine mulch and compost blends.

• Stake tall plants like dahlias and delphiniums before they flop.

• Consider refreshing container gardens with fresh soil (Espoma’s Organic Potting Mix is perfect) and a mid-season color change.

• Keep a garden journal or snap photos to track what’s thriving—helpful when planning next season.

📲 Pro Tip: Download the Redwood Nursery App

Stay up to date on what to plant, deals, and expert tips—right in your pocket. Download the Redwood Nursery app at https://apjl.app/redwoodnursery and join our Redwood Direct program for easy ordering, exclusive offers, and VIP updates.