🌸 Annual Flowers: Color, Pollination, and Easy Care
June is an ideal month to fill your garden with bright, low-maintenance blooms. These annual flowers thrive in full sun and warm soil, attracting beneficial insects like bees and butterflies while beautifying your space.
1. Zinnias
Zinnias are among the easiest flowers to grow from seed, and they bloom from mid-summer until frost.
- Bloom Colors: Red, pink, yellow, orange, white
- Attracts: Butterflies, bees, hummingbirds
- Spacing: 12–18 inches apart
đź’ˇ Garden design tip: Mix zinnias with herbs like basil and thyme for a cottage-garden look.
2. Celosia
Celosia, or “cockscomb,” adds dramatic texture to borders and containers.
- Soil Needs: Rich, loamy, well-drained
- Colors: Fiery red, orange, pink, yellow
- Fertilization: Monthly feeding promotes lush blooms
3. Cosmos
Cosmos are drought-tolerant and self-seeding, making them perfect for low-maintenance gardens.
- Bloom Height: Up to 4 feet
- Colors: White, pink, crimson, orange
- Uses: Excellent in cut flower arrangements
4. Marigolds
Known for pest control properties, marigolds are essential companions in the vegetable garden.
- Varieties: French (compact), African (tall, large blooms)
- Benefit: Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies
- Bloom Time: Mid-June to frost
5. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are a summer garden icon that also support pollinators and birds.
- Planting Depth: 1–2 inches
- Height: 3 to 12 feet depending on variety
- Harvest: Seeds can be harvested and roasted
6. Dianthus
These dainty, fragrant flowers love the sun and well-drained soil.
- Colors: Pink, white, red
- Bloom Cycle: Deadhead regularly for extended blooming
- Bonus: Deer-resistant
🌽 Second Crop Options: Maximize Your Harvest Window
If you’ve already harvested your spring crops, or want to fill in empty beds, June is perfect for a second wave of planting. These crops love the heat and can produce harvests well into fall.
1. Squash (Summer & Winter Varieties)
- Direct Sow: Late spring through early summer
- Spacing: 24–36 inches
- Common Pests: Squash vine borers (use row covers early)
2. Peppers (Bell & Hot)
- Transplant Preferred: Start seeds indoors or buy transplants
- Light Requirements: 6–8 hours of sun
- Watering Tip: Even moisture to prevent blossom-end rot
3. Sweet Potatoes
This root vegetable thrives in hot, humid weather.
- Start with slips (not seeds or tubers)
- Maturity: 90–120 days
- Spacing: 12–18 inches between plants
4. Corn
Corn requires warm soil, consistent water, and full sun.
- Plant in blocks (not rows) for better pollination
- Companion Plants: Beans and squash (Three Sisters method)
- Harvest: When kernels are full and milky
5. Herbs & Leafy Greens (Heat-Tolerant Varieties)
- Arugula, Swiss Chard, Malabar Spinach continue growing in heat
- Bolting Tip: Choose bolt-resistant varieties or provide partial shade
- Herbs to Try: Lemongrass, Oregano, Chives
âś… Coming up next:
- Region-specific planting advice (Zones 3–10)
- Soil preparation and fertilization techniques
- Pest prevention and natural control methods
- Best irrigation strategies for June gardens
- Maintenance schedule and harvesting guide
