Feeling behind this season? Don’t worry—you’re not alone, and more importantly, you’re not too late. Whether spring passed you by or summer snuck up on you, there’s still plenty of opportunity to dig in and enjoy a thriving garden. In fact, starting now comes with some surprising advantages: longer daylight hours, warmer soil, and an incredible selection of fast-growing, heat-loving plants ready to explode into color.
Here’s how you can still plant your dream garden—even in June.
☀️ Embrace the Heat: Choose Summer-Loving Favorites
The trick to late planting is selecting varieties that thrive in warm weather and don’t need a long head start. Here are some heat-tolerant superstars:
Fast-Growing Annuals
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Zinnias – Bold, colorful, and practically foolproof. These germinate quickly and flower in just weeks.
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Cosmos – Delicate daisy-like blooms on feathery stems, excellent for cutting and attracting pollinators.
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Sunflowers – Choose shorter varieties like ‘Teddy Bear’ or branching types for fast flowers and long-lasting color.
Heat-Loving Edibles
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Cucumbers, Squash & Zucchini – Sow directly into warm soil and harvest in as little as 45 days.
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Bush Beans – A quick crop that loves heat and produces fast.
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Tomatoes & Peppers – Already-started plants from your local garden center can still be transplanted successfully now.
🌱 Instant Impact: Go Big with Grown Plants
For those craving immediate results, opt for larger container-grown plants:
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Perennials in bloom – Many are still in stock at garden centers in 1-gallon pots or larger. Look for summer-flowering options like coneflowers, coreopsis, black-eyed Susan, or daylilies.
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Custom hanging baskets – A quick way to add color and fullness to porches or patios without waiting for growth.
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Pre-potted herbs and veggies – Great for decks and small-space gardening, and they’ll reward you with fresh flavor all summer.
🐝 Bonus Tip: Join the Pollinator Parade
If you’re planting now, why not make a difference too? Participate in the Plant a Pollinator movement with vibrant, pollinator-friendly perennials like salvia, bee balm, yarrow, and milkweed.
💚 Special Offer: Spend $50 and get a FREE 1-gallon perennial—perfect for attracting bees and butterflies. Use promo code pollinator25 at checkout!
🌿 Garden Smarter, Not Harder
Late starters often feel pressured to “catch up,” but summer gardening is about enjoying the moment and planting what thrives now. With smart selections and a little help from your local garden center or nursery, you can create a garden that’s every bit as lush, colorful, and delicious as those who started in spring.
Visit Town and Country Nursery or explore our mobile app to find:
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Direct-ship plants (over 3,500 available!)
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Proven Winners selections
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Custom-created baskets
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Coast of Maine soils, Espoma fertilizers, and more
Your dream garden isn’t behind schedule—it’s just getting started.
