Summer gardening looks different in Northern California than it does in many other parts of the country. Whether you’re planting vegetables, herbs, flowers or a monarch butterfly garden, summer is still an excellent time to add plants to your Bay Area landscape.
What Can You Plant in June and Summer in Northern California?
Many gardeners assume spring is the only planting season. In reality, summer is a great time to add vegetables, herbs and flowers to your garden.
Popular summer planting choices include:
Vegetables
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Zucchini
- Squash
- Green beans
- Eggplant
Herbs
- Basil
- Parsley
- Oregano
- Thyme
- Chives
- Rosemary
- Sage
Flowers
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Cosmos
- Sunflowers
- Salvia
- Lavender
These plants can provide color, food and pollinator support throughout the summer growing season.
Is It Too Late to Plant Tomatoes in Summer?
No.
In much of Northern California, June and early summer are excellent times to plant tomatoes. Gardeners in warmer areas such as Redwood City, San Mateo, Belmont and Palo Alto often enjoy a long growing season that allows tomatoes to thrive well into the fall.
If you’re gardening closer to the coast in Half Moon Bay or Pacifica, choose varieties known to perform well in cooler conditions.
Which Plants Attract Monarch Butterflies?
One of the most important plants for monarch butterflies is narrow leaf milkweed – NOT tropical milkweed.
Monarch butterflies lay their eggs on milkweed, and monarch caterpillars depend on milkweed leaves as their primary food source.
Without milkweed, monarch butterflies cannot complete their life cycle.
What Is the Best Milkweed for Northern California?
For most Bay Area gardens, Narrowleaf Milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) is one of the best choices.
Benefits include:
- Native to California
- Supports monarch butterflies
- Drought tolerant once established
- Performs well throughout much of the Bay Area
- Returns year after year
Narrowleaf milkweed is often recommended by monarch conservation organizations because it supports local butterfly populations while fitting naturally into California landscapes.
Can You Plant Milkweed in Summer?
Yes.
Summer is a great time to add milkweed to your garden. Like many plants, it will need regular watering while becoming established, especially during hot weather.
Once established, native milkweed varieties are generally low-maintenance and drought tolerant.
What Grows Best Near the Coast?
Gardeners in Half Moon Bay and Pacifica face unique conditions including fog, wind and cooler temperatures.
Plants that often perform well near the coast include:
- Lettuce
- Kale
- Chard
- Herbs
- Hydrangeas
- Fuchsias
- Native California plants
- Narrowleaf milkweed
These plants are often more tolerant of cooler summer temperatures than heat-loving crops.
What Grows Best in Redwood City, San Mateo, Belmont and Palo Alto?
Warmer inland areas generally support:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Cucumbers
- Squash
- Basil
- Zinnias
- Marigolds
- Sunflowers
These areas typically receive more sun and experience warmer temperatures throughout the growing season.
Summer Watering Tips for Northern California Gardens
Summer heat can stress even established plants.
To keep your garden healthy:
- Water deeply rather than frequently.
- Water early in the morning.
- Add mulch around plants to retain moisture.
- Monitor containers more often during hot weather.
- Watch for signs of heat stress during heat waves.
Common Signs of Heat Stress in Garden Plants
Watch for these signs during hot weather:
- Wilting leaves, especially in the afternoon
- Leaves that curl, roll or droop
- Yellowing leaves
- Brown or crispy leaf edges
- Blossom drop on tomatoes, peppers and squash
- Sunscald (white or pale patches on fruits and vegetables)
- Slowed growth
- Dry soil that pulls away from the edges of containers
It’s important to note that some plants will wilt during the hottest part of the day and recover by evening. If plants are still wilted the following morning, they likely need water or additional protection from heat.
Tomatoes experiencing heat stress may drop blossoms before fruit develops, stop setting new fruit, or develop sunscald on exposed tomatoes.
Looking for Summer Garden Plants?
Hassett ACE Hardware carries seasonal vegetables, herbs, flowers, milkweed and gardening supplies to help Bay Area gardeners succeed throughout the growing season.
Whether you’re planting tomatoes, creating a pollinator garden or looking for plants that thrive near the coast, our team can help you choose the right plants and supplies for your location.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I plant in summer in Northern California?
Summer is a great time to plant tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, squash, basil, parsley, zinnias, marigolds and other warm-season vegetables, herbs and flowers.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in June?
No. June is an excellent time to plant tomatoes throughout much of Northern California, especially in warmer inland areas.
Which milkweed is best for monarch butterflies in California?
Narrowleaf milkweed (Asclepias fascicularis) is one of the best choices because it is native to California, drought tolerant and serves as a host plant for monarch caterpillars. Monarch experts recommend planting only native milkweed species such as the narrowleaf. The tropical milkweed sold in many chain garden centers does not naturally die back in winter in many parts of California. It interferes with monarch migration patterns and contributes to the spread of a parasite called Ophryocystis elektroscirrha (OE), a parasite that weakens monarch butterflies wings and chrysalis’ making it harder for them to survive and reproduce.
Can I plant milkweed in summer?
Yes. Summer is a great time to plant milkweed, and most nurseries still have the narrow leaf in stock right now (June, 2026)
What grows well near the coast in Northern California?
Many herbs, leafy greens, hydrangeas, fuchsias, native plants and narrowleaf milkweed perform well in coastal areas.