Growing at home: from late spring to early summer

In this article, we’ll guide you month by month from May to July with examples of what to grow at home, both indoors and outdoors. (Some early spring sowings are also included for context.)

May: Moving crops outdoors and sowing beans

Indoors

Spinach: Leafy greens like spinach and lettuce are quick to grow, have shallow roots and do not need too much space, making them ideal for small urban spaces and even large pots.  They are also a fantastic source of nutrients.

Tip: Use a container 2-4 inches deep. Sow seeds in small pots, maintaining them in moist, well-drained soil. Keep the pots in a warm location until they emerge, and then move them to a spot with indirect light, such as a windowsill. 

Outdoors

Beans (French and runner beans): As temperatures rise, French beans and runner beans can be directly sown into outdoor beds. French beans should be sown when the soil temperature is consistently above 10°C (50°F), usually from mid-May onwards. Runner beans require a bit more warmth and should be sown outdoors after the last frost, so late May. French beans should be sown in rows 50 cm apart, with 18 cm between each seed in a row.

Tip: Similarly to peas, beans will need a supporting structure to climb on during their growth.

June: Planting the last tender crops and sowing for autumn harvests

Indoors

Basil and coriander: June is a great time to start herbs indoors. Basil and coriander grow well in small pots on a sunny windowsill, requiring about 6–8 hours of sunlight daily. These herbs add fresh flavours to your cooking and can be harvested continuously throughout the season. Basil loves warmth and is best suited for indoor growing in the UK until mid-summer. 

Tip: To harvest basil and encourage healthy growth and a continuous supply, pinch off the tips of stems above a pair of leaves, rather than just picking individual leaves, and do this from the top of the plant. To harvest coriander leaves, use sharp scissors to cut the outer, mature stems, leaving the tender inner stems for continued growth. Harvest regularly to encourage more leaf growth and prevent bolting (flowering), which makes the leaves bitter. 

Outdoors

Lettuce: June is ideal for continuing to sow leafy greens such as lettuce. It thrives in partially shady spots with a maximum of 4–6 hours of sunlight per day. Excessive heat can cause greens to turn bitter, so providing some shade can be beneficial.

Tip: To harvest lettuce and encourage continued growth, use the "cut and come again" method: snip outer leaves with scissors, leaving the central crown intact, or simply cut the entire head just above the soil for a single harvest.

Carrots: Fast-growing root vegetables like carrots can be sown directly into garden beds or deep containers. For best results, keep the soil moist and free of weeds.

Tip: prepare loose, well-drained soil, sow seeds thinly in drills, and ensure consistent moisture, especially during germination.

July: Succession sowing and late summer planting

Indoors

Microgreens or fast herbs: Continue to grow quick-turnaround crops like microgreens or herbs such as basil and coriander indoors. These still thrive on sunny windowsills and add freshness to meals.

Tip: Sow microgreens thickly in shallow trays and keep them lightly misted daily.

Outdoors

Beets and chard: For continuous harvest into autumn, sow beetroot and chard in July. These hardy crops offer edible roots and greens and thrive in full sun or partial shade.

Tip: Sow thinly in rows about 30 cm apart and keep the soil consistently moist. Thin seedlings early for best growth.

A note on April

Some crops, like tomatoes and peas, benefit from an early indoor start in late March or April. If you’ve missed that window, don’t worry – fast-growing varieties or ready-started seedlings can still be transplanted in May and early June for a successful crop.