It’s summer! School’s out, pool season has arrived, and we’re already experiencing blistering heat here in Central Texas.
Even though outdoor activities that don’t involve a watering hole or beach might be the last thing on your mind, you don’t want to miss the planting opportunities we have in Texas Hill Country this month.
So take advantage of an overcast early morning to pop out to your garden and plant something new in June.
WHAT TO GROW IN CENTRAL TEXAS IN JUNE
We’re officially in our hot growing season now, as if you couldn’t tell that the second you stepped outside. You might be tempted to sneak in some gardening favorites like tomatoes, but they’re unlikely to fruit in this kind of heat. It’s better to wait until August to consider planting tomatoes and stick to hot season rockstars for the next few months.
Whatever you decide to plant this month, sow those seeds soon. By the end of the month, only the toughest of seedlings will thrive.
Here’s our short list of some heat-loving plants to add to your Central Texas garden in June.
Veggies
Black-Eyed Peas, Cantaloupe, Cucumber, Eggplant, Honey Dew Melon, Malabar Spinach, New Zealand Spinach, Okra, Hot Peppers, Pumpkin, Southern Peas, Sweet Potato Slips, Watermelon, & Winter Squash
Pro tip:
Neither Malabar spinach nor New Zealand spinach are actually spinach. They are both, however, delicious leaves that thrive in heat. Malabar spinach grows like a vine and needs a trellis. New Zealand spinach grows more like a succulent. You should give one or both of these delicious leafy greens a try!
HARVEST TIME IN JUNE
It may be scorching outside, but this is still a rewarding and fun season in your kitchen garden. It’s time to harvest homegrown produce, and if you set up your garden to be productive in May, you’re picking things daily in June. Cucumbers, summer squash, cherry tomatoes, eggplant, potatoes, peppers, lots of beans, armloads of yummy Swiss chard, and more!
Harvest from your garden regularly to encourage your plants to produce continuously and remain healthy—you’ll also ensure you get to bring in the most tender young fruits and veggies possible.
Central Texas Monthly Planting Guide
Take all the guesswork out of your seasonal planting.
$10
This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small profit if you purchase my recommendations. Thanks for supporting my small business!
TIPS FOR SUMMER GARDENING IN AUSTIN
-
Watering deeply is just as important as watering regularly.
-
Fertilize. Kitchen crops are heavy feeders. MicroLife is an excellent organic choice. (Check out our complete list of recommended fertilizers on Amazon.)
-
Walk through your garden first thing in the morning to hunt out any pests, prune, and make adjustments to your watering system. Irrigation timers are a summer garden lifesaver.
-
Harvest any and all veggies you can find! Crops are best enjoyed when picked in the early morning, before a plant is stressed from the heat. Get them before the birds do, and remember that most tomatoes can ripen on the counter even if mostly green.
For more tips on summer gardening, check out our complete post on keeping your plants cool in the heat.
LETTUCE HELP YOU GROW, AUSTIN!
There you have it! Even as the scorching heat sets in, there’s still room for planting and growth! If you’re just getting started, it’s not too late to get your kitchen garden set up so you can enjoy lots of summer harvests! Visit Our Services page to learn how we can help.
