June always feels like the bridge between two seasons.
The cool-season garden is winding down while the warm-season crops are finally beginning to stretch, climb, and settle into their new homes. It’s one of my favorite months because I get to enjoy the rewards of months of planning while looking forward to everything that’s still to come.
This month was filled with harvests, preserving food, a few garden projects, and plenty of time spent simply enjoying the space we’ve been building.
Here’s what June looked like in my Maryland Zone 7 garden.
Spring Ended on a High Note
One of the biggest highlights this month was harvesting the last of many of my cool-season vegetables.
The DePurple cauliflower easily became the star of this year’s spring garden. After a season of unpredictable weather, seeing those beautiful purple heads develop made all the patience worthwhile.
I also harvested some kale and collards growing under my Vego insect netting. It provided some shade to help cool them off and protected them from cabbage moths, which lay eggs and chew on the leaves.
June always reminds me that cool-season vegetables may only be around for a short time, but they certainly make the most of it.
Garlic Season Finally Arrived
After planting garlic last fall and patiently waiting through winter and spring, harvest season finally arrived.
Earlier in the month I harvested plenty of garlic scapes, one of my favorite bonus harvests because they’re so versatile in the kitchen.
As the month went on, some of the garlic plants began showing signs they were ready to harvest. Instead of pulling the entire bed at once, I harvested individual bulbs as they matured.
There’s something incredibly satisfying about brushing away the soil and discovering what has been growing underground for so many months.
Now the bulbs are curing, and before long they’ll be stored away for cooking—and of course, I’ll be saving my best bulbs to plant again this fall.
A Surprise Harvest from Manpukuji Carrots
One harvest that still makes me smile is my Manpukuji carrots.
These long Japanese carrots have become one of my favorite varieties to grow. Watching those extra-long roots emerge from the soil never gets old.
A few of them even overwintered under protection, giving me another harvest this spring before the beds transitioned to warm-season crops.
It’s always fun growing vegetables that surprise people when they see them.
The Summer Garden Is Finding Its Rhythm
While the spring garden was winding down, the summer crops were just getting started.
The tomatoes have grown significantly and are beginning to flower, and I’ve already caged them to support their growth.
Peppers are settling in nicely after transplanting, and I’ve already harvested some jalapeño peppers along with a few Quick Snack cucumbers for fresh eating.
Pole beans just sprouted and soon they will be climbing their supports, cucumbers are starting to vine, and my summer squash plants are getting bigger and have already started producing flowers. The melons are beginning to spread and climb, and I even had a watermelon sprout this month.
The ginger and turmeric are looking healthy and continuing to put on new growth, reminding me that some crops simply require patience.
I also harvested some blueberries and raspberries, adding a sweet touch to the month’s harvests. The strawberries are producing a ton of runners, most of which I’ve been cutting back to keep the plants focused on fruiting.
Before the end of the month, I harvested some kale and collards, and I’m especially happy that the Vego insect netting is keeping them protected from cabbage moths. I’m hopeful it will also help prevent the usual summer invasion of harlequin bugs that tend to find my brassicas when they’re left uncovered.
This stage of the garden isn’t as colorful as peak summer, but it’s exciting because every week brings noticeable growth.
The Deck Garden Keeps Getting Better
One of my favorite places to spend time this month has been the deck.
The citrus trees continue thriving in their self-watering planters, and seeing fruit developing on the variegated pink lemon tree never gets old.
Nestled between the citrus trees is my gardenia, which has been filling the deck with one of the sweetest fragrances of the season. Every time it blooms, it reminds me of my mother-in-law, who loved gardenias and gardening. Caring for that plant feels like a small way of honoring her memory.
The GreenStalk planters continue filling out beautifully with strawberries, herbs, and vegetables, while the first strawberries of the season were as sweet as ever.
Sometimes I catch myself standing on the deck a little longer than necessary, simply enjoying the view.
A Garden That Works Better
June wasn’t only about harvesting.
It was also about making the garden work better for me.
Reorganizing my patio with the Vego Garden potting bench, workstation, and sink has completely changed how I move through my gardening routine.
Having designated places for tools, potting supplies, and everyday tasks makes spending time in the garden much more enjoyable.
It’s amazing how much difference an organized workspace can make.
Preserving the Harvest
One thing I’ve been focusing on this month is making sure very little goes to waste.
Garlic scapes were chopped and preserved.
Fresh herbs found their way into everyday cooking.
And the garlic bulbs are now curing before they’ll be stored for the months ahead.
Growing food is rewarding, but preserving that harvest extends the joy of gardening long after the season has passed.
Lessons from June
If June taught me anything, it’s that every season has its purpose.
Spring is full of anticipation.
June is full of reward.
It’s the month when months of planning finally begin paying off, while reminding me that gardening is always moving forward.
Some crops are finishing.
Others are only beginning.
Not everything was a success this season, though. My beets, in particular, were a bit of a disappointment. Once I removed the cover, leaf miners quickly moved in and damaged many of the plants before they had a chance to size up. It was a good reminder of how important timing and protection can be, especially with more vulnerable crops.
And that’s one of the things I love most about gardening—there’s always another season, another harvest, and another lesson waiting just around the corner.
Looking Ahead to July
As June comes to a close, I’m looking forward to what July will bring.
The tomatoes won’t be green for much longer.
Peppers are beginning to produce.
Beans are climbing higher every day.
The melons are spreading.
The sweet potatoes are filling in.
Before long, the garden will be overflowing with summer harvests.
For now, though, I’m taking a moment to appreciate everything June had to offer.
Final Thoughts
Looking back, June was a month of transition, gratitude, and abundance.
It marked the end of a successful spring garden with memorable harvests like DePurple cauliflower, Little Jade Napa cabbage, bok choy, Manpukuji carrots, garlic, and garlic scapes. At the same time, it laid the foundation for the exciting summer harvests still to come.
Not every day was perfect, and the garden still had its challenges, but each harvest reminded me why I love growing food. Every bulb pulled from the soil, every basket of vegetables, and every quiet moment spent on the deck made the work worthwhile.
Now it’s time to see what July has in store.
Gingerfoot Garden 
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