Gather & Feast

What’s in season in June? Planting and produce this month

Slow Living LDNby Slow Living LDN
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What’s in season in June? Planting and produce this month

With warmer, longer days to relish in June, the summer is stretching out before us, teasing endless possibilities. After the spring season of regrowth, the summer to come boasts a sense of abundance in terms of seasonal produce and cut flowers.

June is the perfect month to celebrate all things homegrown. British Flowers Week takes place from 16th to to 22nd June. The event is now run by trade association Flowers from the Farm which advocates for nearly 1,000 independent, small-scale growers of local, seasonal cut flowers.

British Flowers Week raises awareness of the surprising fact that UK-grown flower farmers have just 14% of the UK cut flower market by encouraging local growers to put on events. At the heart of the event is London’s Garden Museum, which showcases immersive displays from prominent floral designers. This year, the designers include Arthur Parkinson, Leigh Chappell, Palais London, Rollo Skinner, Wild at Heart, and Yeon Hee Lee.

Much like those advocating for slow food and preserving local culinary traditions and independent businesses, British Flowers Week encourages us to support local slow flower growers and focuses on celebrating the seasons and sustainability.

Below you’ll find more ideas for celebrating seasonal living in June, the month of elderflower, strawberries and peonies.

What produce is in season in June?

More British grown greens are available in June, including peas and broad beans. Asparagus is still in season until around the Summer Solstice on 21st June. As a true slow food, it’s worth savouring the short-lived asparagus season while it’s here. Soft fruits also start to come into season, such as juicy British strawberries and cherries.

And it’s the perfect time to forage elderflower. The frothy white flowerheads make delicious cordial that works well in a number of refreshing drinks and cocktails, especially when paired with mint.

Paper bag of broad bean pods
Elderflower in trug

Vegetables in season in June:

  • Samphire
  • Aubergine
  • Asparagus
  • New potatoes
  • Courgette
  • Broad beans
  • Salad leaves
  • Mangetout
  • Watercress
  • Peas
  • Spinach
  • Peppers
  • Carrots

Fruit in season in June:

  • Rhubarb
  • Strawberries
  • Cherries

Browse the full list of seasonal fruits and vegetables by month in the UK.

June recipe inspiration:

Seasonal flowers and planting in June

Trug of pink roses
British peonies in a large vase

June boasts one of our favourite, show-stopping cut flowers, the peony. There’s something magical about how the tight buds of peonies open to become huge, unexpected blooms. A short-lived season that we savour every year. Roses and lupins also put on a show in June.

For further inspiration on slow living and seasonal living, read our slow gardening, slow flowers and slow food guides. You may also like our list of the best seasonal recipe books and our tips on how to press flowers.

More seasonal inspiration: