🪴 What Should I Plant in My Kitchen Garden?

A Personalized Guide for June in the Pacific Northwest

If you’re standing in your backyard wondering what to plant right now, you’re not alone. June is a golden window for Pacific Northwest gardeners—it’s not too late to start, and there’s still plenty of growing season left.

But the right answer depends on your garden’s conditions: sunlight, space, microclimate, and your cooking preferences. Let’s break it down so you can make the most of this moment.

My own raised kitchen garden in early June with tomatoes, cabages, kale, onions, celery, etc. thriving in the sun.

🌞 Step 1: How Much Sun Does Your Garden Get?

Before we talk crops, let’s talk sunlight. Your planting choices depend on the light levels in each bed or container.

Sunlight Hours	Garden Zones	What to Plant
6+ hrs/day (Full Sun)	Most raised beds, patios, south-facing yards	Tomatoes, peppers, squash, cucumbers, green beans
4–6 hrs/day (Partial Sun)	Edges of fences, east-facing beds	Leafy greens (chard, lettuce), herbs (parsley, cilantro), carrots
<4 hrs/day (Shade)	North sides, areas near structures	Mint, salad mix, arugula, chives, kale

👉 Tip: Observe your garden for a full day to track sunlight before planting. Morning vs. afternoon sun matters.

Seasonal sunshine in Seattle varies. It peaks at 312 hours in July and drops to 54 hours in December. The total annual amount of sun is 2171 hours (Image Credit: 'Monthly Hours of Sunshine', Weather & Climate (https://weather-and-climate.com/average-monthly-hours-Sunshine,seattle,United-States-of-America)).

🗓️ Step 2: What’s Still Worth Planting in June?

Here’s the good news: June is the last call for summer veggies—and the first call for fall prep.

Start these from transplant (or large starts):

• Tomatoes (cherry and early varieties)

• Zucchini and summer squash

• Cucumbers

• Basil and heat-loving herbs

• Peppers (hot and sweet)

  
  

Start these from seed:

• Bush beans

• Carrots

• Beets

• Salad mix

• Green onions

• Cilantro

• Chard

• Dill

  
  

➡️ Direct sow fast-growers now and harvest through August. Many of these crops will carry you into early fall.

📏 Step 3: Consider Your Space & Timing

Even if you only have a few square feet or containers, you can grow a surprising amount—if you’re strategic.

• Small garden or patio? Prioritize cut-and-come-again greens and climbing plants on trellises.

• Family-sized raised bed (4x8 ft)? You can grow a salad bar on one side and a salsa garden on the other.

• Already planted tomatoes and lettuce? Great—now add beans, herbs, and carrots to keep it going.

  
  

Want to make sure your garden stays productive through the fall? Now’s the time to plan succession planting.

👩‍🌾 Need Help Making a Personalized Plan?

Choosing what to plant isn’t just about the calendar—it’s about your lifestyle, your space, and your goals. If you're feeling unsure or overwhelmed, I offer personalized consultations to help you:

✅ Choose crops that thrive in your conditions

✅ Maximize harvests in raised beds or containers

✅ Get a month-by-month planting calendar tailored to your location

👉 Let’s map out your summer and fall garden together. Book your consultation now →

Exploring the kitchen garden, discussing future planting ideas while examining the lush crops.

📌 Bonus: June Quick-Start Garden Ideas

• Sunniest Spot? Add a cucumber and basil.

• Shadiest Corner? Try kale or salad mix.

• Just cleared a spring bed? Plant bush beans and beets.

• No idea where to start? That’s what I’m here for. 😊