Early June Garden To-Do List
Summer has arrived in Middle Tennessee and gardeners are settling into a slower pace. The name of the game this month is monitor and adjust. We aren’t in a rush to plant all of the plants. That’s done. Tomatoes and peppers aren’t producing huge harvests. Not yet. So these are the days to keep tabs on water needs, plant growth, and pest pressure. Slow down to enjoy the flowers, the first fruits in your harvest basket, and the lightening bugs creating magic around your garden space at night.
🌿 Harvest Now
Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, and kale: These cool-weather crops won’t last much longer, so harvest generously.
Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries: Eat them straight off the plant or toss them into freezer bags.
Cucumbers and squash: Pick them small for the best flavor and continued production.
Peas: Harvest frequently while pods are tender and sweet.
Garlic scapes: Snip them now to help bulbs size up—plus they taste amazing sautéed or blended into pesto.
🌱 Keep Planting
It’s not too late for tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, melons, and okra.
Beans and basil can be direct seeded throughout June.
Got open space? Try a late planting of zinnias, cosmos, or sunflowers.
Leaf lettuce or arugula can still be tucked into shadier garden spots—shade from a trellis or tomato plant is perfect!
🧵 Support & Prune
Guide cucumbers and pole beans up trellises.
Tie in wandering tomato branches.
Snip off damaged or yellowing leaves to prevent disease and improve airflow.
Still debating tomato suckers? Check out our Great Sucker Debate article for pros, cons, and how-tos.
🐛 The Birds and the Bees (and other critters)
Squash Pollination: If you aren’t seeing many bees visit your big squash blossoms, use a small paintbrush or cotton swab to rub pollen from the stamen of a male flower on the the stigma of a female flower (the one with a fruit at it’s base).
Scout under squash leaves for egg clusters—remove by hand and drop into soapy water. Squash Vine Borer eggs are small red dots near the base of the stem or leaf. Squash bugs lay a diamond-shaped cluster of purple eggs underneath leaves.
Use BT for cabbage moth caterpillars and iron phosphate for slugs.
Leave flowering herbs like cilantro and dill in place—they attract ladybugs, lacewings, and other beneficials.
✨ Got ladybugs? Don’t spray where they’re working—let them feast on aphids in peace. Remember that many bugs in the garden are good bugs! Be sure to identify them before freaking out. Did you know that lighting bugs eat slugs?! Major heart eyes.
If you haven’t yet, protect your blueberries from birds and squirrels with these covers.
💧 Water & Weather Watch
If you’ve had heavy rain, pause irrigation for a few days.
Avoid working in the garden when leaves are wet to prevent disease spread.
Once things dry out, remove rain-damaged leaves to improve plant health.
🧘 Garden Mindset
Mornings are your best friend. Get your chores done early before the heat kicks in.
Make a pitcher of lemon balm or mint tea from your herb bed and take five to just be in the garden.
This is the part of the season where we watch, learn, and enjoy the fruits of our labor—literally.
