What You Can Start in Your Southern Garden in June

Gardening in the south during June might seem daunting with the heat ramping up, but don’t pack away your trowel just yet. For Zone 9 growers, June is still ripe with planting possibilities, especially if you’re working with heat-loving heirloom varieties that thrive in our long, hot summers. At Urban Garden Plants, we believe that summer is a time to lean into bold flavors, vibrant harvests, and resilient heirloom crops that keep your garden abundant well into fall.

Here’s what you can start in your garden this June and why heirloom seeds are the way to go.

Heat-Loving Heirloom Vegetables

Okra is a summer staple that loves the heat and doesn’t flinch at full sun. It germinates quickly in warm soil and produces continuously with proper harvesting. Try Clemson Spineless for a classic, tender pod; or Red Burgundy for striking color and flavor. Our Motherland Okra, originally from West Africa, is a customer favorite for its cultural richness and reliable productivity.

Southern peas like cowpeas, black-eyed peas, and purple hull peas are another ideal option. These legumes are not only drought-tolerant but also enrich the soil with nitrogen, making them perfect for summer succession planting. Their sprawling vines are tough and vigorous, and their earthy, protein-rich harvest is a Southern classic.

Bleeding Love Lies Amaranth, is a showstopper in both ornamental and edible gardens. This heirloom variety thrives in hot weather and poor soil, making it perfect for southern summers. With striking crimson plumes and tender, nutrient-rich leaves, Bleeding Love Lies Amaranth is both beautiful and versatile. The young greens can be sautéed, added to soups, or eaten raw in salads, while the mature plants produce edible seeds that can be toasted or cooked like grain. It's an eye-catching way to bring color, nutrition, and history into your garden.

Melons, Cucumbers, and More

If you're craving something sweet, heirloom watermelons and melons can still be sown in June. Sugar Baby watermelon is compact and matures quickly, perfect for smaller spaces. Tendersweet Orange and Yellow Crimson offer a fun twist with bright, sweet flesh and fewer seeds. For a cantaloupe with exceptional flavor, try Hale’s Best Jumbo, a classic heirloom known for its fragrant aroma, netted rind, and deep orange flesh. It thrives in the heat and produces large, juicy melons perfect for breakfast or summer snacks.

Cucumbers like Spacemaster 80, Straight Eight, and Lemon Cucumber can be started now for a bountiful midsummer harvest. Trellis them to save space and increase airflow. These heirlooms are known for their crisp texture and mild, refreshing flavor, ideal for snacking, pickling, or tossing into salads.

Herbs and Garden Companions

June is also a great time to direct-sow culinary herbs such as basil, oregano, thyme, and rosemary. Not only do these thrive in the heat, but they attract pollinators and repel pests, helping your whole garden thrive. Start your herb garden from Urban Garden Plants' Herb Garden Box to ensure rich, aromatic flavors that elevate every dish.

Why Choose Heirloom Seeds?

Heirloom seeds carry history in every pod. Grown and passed down for generations, they offer more than just flavor. They provide resilience, diversity, and a story worth growing. Unlike hybrids, heirloom plants are open-pollinated, meaning you can save seeds for next year and preserve flavor and tradition in your own backyard.

Stock Up and Sow Today

At Urban Garden Plants, we curate our seed selection specifically for Southern growers like you. Our heirloom seeds are organically grown, non-GMO, and selected for their flavor, beauty, and adaptability to our southern climate.

So don’t let the summer heat hold you back. June is bursting with growing potential, especially when you plant heirloom varieties that are made to thrive under the sun. Visit our website to explore our summer-ready seed collection and bring history, flavor, and life to your garden this season. 🌱

Shop now at Urban Garden Plants and let your garden grow with purpose.