Still Time to Sow: What to Plant in June in Vancouver Gardens

Wondering what to plant in June in Vancouver? Good news—this beautiful month is a second planting window, perfect for sowing seeds that will flourish in summer and even carry you into fall.

Whether you garden in containers on a balcony, in a compact backyard, or a community garden, there’s still time to plant a satisfying mix of vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Read on for tips tailored to urban gardens in Vancouver and the Coast, and learn what to plant in June in Vancouver.

Succession sowing is the practice of planting the same crop at intervals (every 1–3 weeks) to ensure a continuous harvest over a longer period, rather than all at once. 

Why June planting still works

By June, soil is warm, days are long, and germination is fast. If your spring crops have already bolted or you’re just getting started, this is the ideal time to sow quick-growing plants that thrive in our coastal conditions.

Plus, staggered or succession sowing helps avoid a glut of harvest all at once—and keeps your garden productive through the summer. Sometimes, when considering what to plant in June in Vancouver, look to what you’ve already got going—and then plant some more!

What to plant now: Quick-grow veggies and herbs

All of these can be direct-sown in June, even into July, and are perfect for small-space and container gardening.

Annual herbs (basil, dill, cilantro, chives)
Sow basil and dill directly in containers or garden beds with full sun and good drainage. Cilantro prefers cooler conditions—try planting in light shade and harvesting young. Chives grow well in pots and can be harvested throughout the season.

Most bush bean varieties are ready for harvest in 60 days or fewer, making them a good candidate for June sowing.

Bush beans
These love the warmth of early summer. Choose a bush type for containers or small beds, and make sure the soil is warm (at least 15°C) before planting. Water consistently for even growth, and harvest often to keep them producing.

Lettuce and salad greens
Lettuce grows quickly in June but may bolt in extreme heat. Choose looseleaf or romaine types and plant in part shade if possible. Water deeply and regularly, and harvest the outer leaves to encourage new growth.

Root crops (carrots, beets, radishes)
Direct sow into well-drained soil that’s free of clumps and stones. Keep seedbeds evenly moist until germination (which can be slow, especially for carrots). Thin seedlings early for best root development.

Swiss chard and spinach
Swiss chard thrives in summer and tolerates some shade. Keep it evenly watered and harvest outer leaves regularly. Summer spinach varieties like ‘Seaside’ or ‘Renegade’ may still do well, especially if sown in partial shade and kept moist to prevent bolting.

Flowers to sow now for summer colour

These annuals are perfect for balconies, patios, and sunny containers—and they attract pollinators, too.

Cosmos
Cosmos grow tall and airy, filling in spaces with colour and movement. They thrive in average soil and need very little fertilizer. Great for pollinators and for cutting. Like zinnias, cosmos are a cut-and-come-again flower; harvest regularly to ensure more blooms.

Nasturtiums and sweet alyssum
Both are great for small spaces and edible gardens. Nasturtiums grow easily from seed and prefer lean soil (too much fertilizer leads to more leaves than flowers). Alyssum can be tucked along edges and does well even in shallow containers. Both make great companion plants for vegetable gardens.

Sunflowers
Choose dwarf or patio-friendly types for containers. Sow directly into a spot with plenty of sun and support taller varieties with stakes. Water deeply once roots are established.

Pinch zinnia seedlings at about 4″ tall for bushier growth. Fertilize at planting and again during flowering.

Zinnias
Zinnias love heat and full sun. They thrive in ground or in raised beds with well-drained soil. Keep soil moist but not soggy, stake to prevent breakage and harvest regularly to encourage more blooms.

Start indoors now, transplant later

June is also the time to start certain fall and overwintering crops indoors for transplanting later in summer.

Start indoors now:

• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Leeks
• Purple sprouting broccoli
• Overwintering onions
• Radicchio

Use a lightweight seed-starting mix and provide strong light once seedlings have emerged. Transplant into the garden in July or August for a fall or early spring harvest.

June garden tasks for Vancouver gardeners

After the frenzy of spring, June is a time to enjoy your garden. A few hours maintaining your work will ensure even better results in summer.

Here’s what else your garden needs this month:

• Fertilize: Apply a liquid organic fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks to support vigorous summer growth.
• Water deeply and consistently, especially in containers. Use mulch to conserve moisture.
• Stake taller plants like beans, cosmos, and sunflowers to prevent wind damage and breakage.
• Thin seedlings early to avoid overcrowding and improve yields.
• Keep an eye out for pests like aphids and slugs; use eco-friendly controls like diatomaceous earth.
• Deadhead flowering annuals regularly to encourage new blooms.
• Pinch back herbs like basil and cilantro frequently to delay bolting and promote bushier plants.

It’s not too late to plant—June is full of potential. With the right crops and a little care, your urban garden can keep producing right into fall.

Stop by Figaro’s Garden for fresh seed stock, organic fertilizers, potting soil, and everything else you need to get planting.

Want more like this? Get ahead by planning what to plant in July (and harvest all winter long).