It’s Not Too Late: Planting a June Vegetable Garden in the Willamette Valley

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If spring slipped by before you had a chance to plant your vegetable garden, don’t worry. In the Willamette Valley, June still offers plenty of opportunity to grow a beautiful, productive garden. Our mild Pacific Northwest climate gives gardeners a more forgiving planting window than many national garden guides suggest, which means a late start can still turn into a rewarding harvest.

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Why June Is Still a Great Time to Plant

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Many warm-season crops thrive when planted after the soil has warmed and nighttime temperatures are more dependable. Tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, beans, peppers, and basil can still settle in quickly when given full sun, consistent watering, and healthy soil. In fact, planting later can sometimes help young plants avoid the stress of cold, wet spring conditions.

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Vegetables to Consider for a Late Start

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If you’re planting in June, choose vigorous starts, which we have in stock! Tomato and pepper starts can still perform well with attentive care, while squash, cucumbers, and beans often grow quickly once warm weather arrives. Leafy greens, beets, carrots, and radishes can also be planted with an eye toward late-summer or fall harvests.

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We start getting fall vegetables in August! Look to plant lettuce, greens, peas and short season root crops.

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