13 Herbs to Direct Sow in June

If you’re itching to plant some herbs, now is a great time to get rolling. Mid-June marks the official start of summer, and the garden is bustling with tasty vegetables and beautiful, blooming flowers. As the weather heats up, planting seeds becomes tricky, but it’s not impossible. In fact, some herbs truly soak up the sun and will thrive if you directly sow them in the garden right now. 

When you plant herbs during the summer months, there are a few important things to keep in mind. Watering is vital; the time of day you water will make all the difference. Make sure to water your seeds and seedlings as early in the day as possible. This will give them the strength they need to stay hydrated in the heat. 

As soon as your herb seedlings sprout, lay down some mulch or straw. This will help to insulate the soil and hold moisture around the developing roots. If you live in an especially warm climate, sow your seeds in partial shade, offering them some added protection. Remember that the afternoon sun is hotter and more intense, so full sun in the morning is ideal. 

If you’re able, wait until before you expect a bit of rain. A good soaking rain will raise the water table and prepare the soil to receive more moisture. Here are some tasty and beneficial herbs to direct sow this June.

Mammoth Dill

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Mammoth Dill Seeds

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Rosemary

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Genovese Basil

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Genovese Basil Seeds

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Rosemary

	botanical name Salvia rosmarinus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-5’
	hardiness zones 8-10

Rosemary seeds need light to germinate, so technically, they germinate better in a more controlled environment. However, rosemary likes the heat, and if you have the patience to wait out their sometimes slow germination time, you’ll have beautiful, aromatic rosemary in a few months.

Rosemary is an evergreen herb, so as long as you get those roots established, it will look nice throughout the winter months. Surface sow them, lightly pressing the seeds into loose, loamy soil with excellent drainage. Once established, rosemary is exceptionally drought-tolerant. 

Mint

	botanical name Mentha spp.
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 3-11

Mint is one of those herbs that is hard to kill once it establishes in your garden. It can be invasive, so I recommend planting it in a large container or raised bed to keep it from taking over the garden. Despite its aggressive nature, mint has excellent uses. It’s a natural pest deterrent, and when it flowers it attracts beneficial insects. 

Mint likes a rich, moist environment, so it’s important to strike the right combination of nutrient-rich and well-draining soil. Sprinkle your mint seeds on top of the soil and lightly cover them. Once they have three true leaves, thin them to 18″ apart, choosing the strongest seedlings.

Borage

	botanical name Borago officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Borage is a beautiful flowering annual herb. Its blue blossoms attract pollinators and are edible for humans. They make a lovely garnish and taste similar to cucumbers. These plants will need plenty of water to survive the first month, but their moisture needs decrease once they establish a solid root system. 

Choose a sunny spot with excellent drainage and amend the soil with compost if it needs extra nutrients. Sow the seeds about 1/2″ deep and give them a week or two to sprout. Once they are a couple of inches tall, thin the seedlings to one plant every 12″. Borage is an excellent companion for tomato plants. 

Basil

	botanical name Ocimum basilicum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 10-11

Basil, like most herbs, loves warm soil, so it won’t mind if you plant it in June. In fact, it may germinate faster for you in this hot weather. Rich, well-draining soil is ideal, and plenty of sun in mild climates, with afternoon shade in hotter areas. Basil also likes a lot of nitrogen to produce those broad, tasty leaves. 

Sow your seeds about 1/4″ deep and 8″-12″ apart. Keep the soil moist; basil likes moisture. Once your seedlings sprout, mulch around them to hold moisture in the soil. Pinch your basil when it has three sets of true leaves. This will make it branch, creating a more attractive, shrubby plant. 

Dill

	botanical name Anethum graveolens
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-5’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Dill plants have a taproot, so it’s best to direct sow them. Plants with a taproot don’t transplant well. Work some compost into your soil before planting to give your herbs a nitrogen boost, and improve the drainage while creating an environment that holds onto some moisture. 

Plant your dill seeds in groups of three, about 1/4″ deep and six inches apart. Keep the soil moist, and apply mulch after your dill sprouts. Dill likes moisture and will let you know it’s dry by wilting in the afternoon. 

Sage

	botanical name Salvia officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 4-10

Sage is another warm-weather-loving herb, and summer is a good time for planting it directly in the garden. These seeds need light to germinate, and they take about three weeks to do so. Plant them in an undisturbed spot so they have time to germinate without washing away or being otherwise dislodged. 

Don’t worry as much about beefing up the soil for this herb. It likes a moderate amount of nutrients but is tolerant of poorer terrain. Water gently when you do so that your seeds stay put. Sage likes a lot of sun, so give it a sunny space, and it will thrive. 

Lemon Balm

	botanical name Melissa officinalis
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 3-7

Lemon balm is a valuable herb famous for its stress-relieving and calming properties. A tea made from the plant can aid digestion, help with depression, and even help you sleep better! Needless to say, it’s a must-have for the herb garden. 

June is a good time for sowing these herb seeds directly in the garden because they like warm soil to germinate. They need light to germinate, so lightly press them into the soil’s surface. Don’t cover them. While it’s not officially considered invasive, lemon balm can be aggressive. Consider planting it in a pot or raised bed to keep it contained.

Catmint

	botanical name Nepeta x faassenii
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Catmint isn’t an herb you would typically eat or use to season food, but it’s useful in the garden. Its spikes of pretty, purple flowers are attractive to pollinators, and it’s great for the soil structure. The aroma of its foliage is a deterrent for deer and some rodents, so it helps to protect your vegetable garden from nuisance animals. 

Sow your catmint seeds in rich, well-draining soil. Amend yours with compost if it needs some extra nutrients. Make sure to loosen up the soil to help roots establish faster. The sooner those roots settle in, the more drought-tolerant this one will be. It’s quite tough once established. Surface sow the seeds so they get enough light to germinate. 

Oregano

	botanical name Origanum vulgare
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 4-10

Oregano is another herb that doesn’t transplant well, so direct sowing is ideal for this plant. It’s evergreen in warm climates and highly cold-tolerant in places where it behaves as semi-evergreen. Oregano seeds are tiny and need light to germinate, so lightly press them into the soil and keep them moist until they sprout. 

Once it has a few sets of true leaves, pinch your oregano to encourage branching for a bushier plant. Once established, oregano is a drought-tolerant herb, and its strong aroma deters many nuisance insects. Some sturdy varieties make excellent, fragrant ground covers. 

Thyme

	botanical name Thymus vulgaris
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 6”-12”
	hardiness zones 5-9

Thyme is another fragrant herb that wards off nuisance insects, but its tiny flowers will entice beneficial insects. This is the case with many herbs, making them great for pest control in the garden. Once established, thyme is drought-tolerant and plays an integral role in many recipes. 

Sprinkle your thyme seeds on loose soil. Don’t cover them, as they need light to germinate. It takes about two to three weeks for these seeds to germinate, so be patient and keep the soil moist during this time. Once they have a few true leaves, thin seedlings to one every six to eight inches. 

Lemongrass

	botanical name Cymbopogon citratus
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 2’-4’
	hardiness zones 9-11

Many gardeners grow lemongrass for its mosquito-deterrent ability. Pesky mosquitoes dislike the scent of this herb, which is similar to citronella. Lemongrass is also an essential ingredient in many Southeast Asian dishes, supports digestion, and promotes restful sleep. 

Lemongrass likes warm soil and weather in general. Sow your seeds about 1/4″ deep and an inch apart. Keep the soil moist, but don’t let it become waterlogged. This plant likes a lot of light, and will thrive and grow fastest in full exposure.

Cilantro

	botanical name Coriandrum sativum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-2’
	hardiness zones 2-11

Cilantro is a love-it-or-hate-it kind of herb. It can make or break a bowl of salsa. If you are on the love side, this is a terrific herb to direct sow in the month of June. Cilantro seeds have a hard covering, and you will want to release the seeds inside before sowing them. 

Break open the husks and remove your cilantro seeds. Soak them in water overnight and then sow them about 1/4″ deep. Keep the soil moist; it doesn’t take long to germinate these. You’ll begin to see them sprout in about a week. If sowing in the summer, it’s important to choose a heat-tolerant variety like ‘Caribe’ or ‘Leisure.’ These will be slower to bolt. 

Parsley

	botanical name Petroselinum crispum
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 1’-3’
	hardiness zones 5-9

Parsley is one of the most popular herbs in the kitchen, and it’s easy to grow in the garden. In zones 5-9, it’s biennial and will survive the winters outdoors. It often survives the hot summers in warmer zones, but not dependably. The Mediterranean native frequently shows up in the cuisines of that region.