June is a great month to start growing vegetables as there is heat so just about anything should germinate quickly within about a week (there are some exceptions).

If you haven’t started any vegetables this year, grab yourself any type of container, put drainage holes in it and sow lettuce, peas, herbs or dwarf beans. These are low maintenance and as long as you water if it is in very hot heat, they will grow in no time.

For more Vegetables to sow from March to May, Read more in my Vegetables to Sow Series.

1. Dwarf Beans

This vegetable could not be easier to grow, the seeds can now be sown straight into the ground or are perfect sown in containers and will germinate within a week at this time of the year.

Dwarf beans do not need canes to support them, they support themselves, they just need a sunny or partially sunny position and lots of water in hot temperatures, once established.

If you get any rain and the seedlings are still small, watch out for slugs and snails as they love young seedlings to munch on.

Varieties we are growing are:

• Dwarf Italian Borlotto Bean ‘Lingua Di Fuoco’ from Premier Seeds
• Dwarf Green Bean ‘Slenderette’ from The Organic Catalogue
• Dwarf Yellow Bean ‘Roquencourt’ from Seeds of Italy

2. Sweetcorn

Our first batch of Sweetcorn didn’t germinate as it was too cold. We also don’t have a greenhouse so we haven’t been able to get them to germinate. In June however we sowed Sweetcorn last weekend and within a week in the shed by the window they had all germinated.

We are Sowing Sweetcorn in RootTrainers as they like a deep pot to get their roots established before planting out. You’ll need at least 9 to plant in a block (not rows) as the pollinate themselves by the wind swaying them.

We are growing variety: Sweetcorn ‘Swift‘ from Kings Seeds

3. Mange Tout or Sugar Snap Peas

This is the month to sow Mange Tout (flat pea pods) or sugar snap peas (full pea pods). Seeds can be sown direct into the soil or in pots and then planted out.

They will need a wigwam made of canes and string netting to climb up. Water well in hot weather.

We are growing a beautiful flower variety of Mange Tout: Carouby De Maussane

4. Lettuce

There is such a colour palette of lettuce varieties available which can brighten up your vegetable garden in the form of lime greens, dark reds and speckled varieties.

Lettuce sown in June will not take long to germinate and can also be sown direct into the ground. You will need to water regularly as they can wilt in heat.

We are sowing:

• Lettuce Heirloom Red Velvet from Premier Seeds Direct
• Lettuce Black Seeded Simpson (on of my favs)
• Lettuce Red Cimmaron Romaine
• Lettuce Gourmet Looseleaf