By June, most gardens are full of life. Plants are blooming, growing fast, and soaking up every hour of sunlight they can get.
But healthy growth takes more than just water and sunshine. Many plants need an extra boost of nutrients this month to keep their momentum going.
Fertilizing the right ones in June can mean better blooms, bigger harvests, and stronger plants through the heat of summer.
Here are five plants that benefit most from being fertilized now.
Roses
Roses are one of the most popular flowers in home gardens. Their soft petals, bold colors, and repeat blooming make them stand out across yards, patios, and flower beds.
By June, many roses have already had their first flush of blooms. But if they are going to keep flowering through summer, they will need more than just sunlight and water.
This is the perfect time to give them a boost. Roses are heavy feeders. They draw a lot of nutrients from the soil to support both flowers and new growth.
If they do not get what they need, the blooms may slow down or stop altogether.
Fertilizing in early summer helps them build up energy for their next round of flowers. It also strengthens the stems and roots, which keeps the plant healthy through the hotter months.
Use a fertilizer made for roses or one designed for blooming plants. Granular formulas can be scratched into the soil, while liquid options work well after watering.
Try not to overdo it. Too much fertilizer can burn the roots or cause excess leafy growth without any blooms.
It is better to follow the package instructions and add more later if needed.
Always water deeply after feeding. This helps move nutrients down to the roots and keeps the soil from drying out too fast.
If the plant still has dead or fading blooms, prune them away. That gives your roses a fresh start and allows the nutrients to go exactly where they are needed.
Healthy roses bloom again and again, but only if they have support. Fertilizing in June helps them keep up the rhythm, so your garden stays full of color through the rest of the season.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are one of the most rewarding crops in any garden. They grow quickly, fill in with rich green leaves, and produce fruit that tastes better than anything from the store.
But as the plant starts to stretch and set fruit, it begins to need much more support from the soil. June is when that shift really begins.
Tomatoes use nutrients at a fast rate. They need nitrogen early in the season to support their leafy growth.
Later, they require more phosphorus and potassium to produce flowers and fruit.
If they do not get enough nutrients, you may end up with tall plants that look healthy but produce very little fruit. Feeding them at the right time changes everything.
Choose a fertilizer made for tomatoes or one meant for vegetables. Look for a balanced blend with lower nitrogen once the plant starts to flower, so it focuses more on fruit than foliage.
Apply it to moist soil, and water well afterward to carry the nutrients down to the roots. If the soil is dry, hold off until after a good soak.
Keep the area around the plant clean. Remove fallen leaves and dropped fruit to discourage pests and disease. This also gives the roots room to breathe.
If you are growing tomatoes in containers, they may need more frequent feeding. Nutrients wash out faster in pots, especially once the summer heat kicks in.
You can feed again in a few weeks if the plant is still growing strong. Just keep an eye on the leaves.
Yellowing, curling, or slow growth usually means the plant needs a little extra help.
A single feeding in June gives tomatoes the strength to build fruit that is rich, juicy, and full of flavor. That one step often makes the difference between a good harvest and a great one.
Hydrangeas
Hydrangeas are known for their large, eye-catching flower heads and soft green foliage. Whether planted in garden beds or lining a shaded walkway, they bring a gentle beauty to any yard.
Their blooms begin to form as the weather warms, and by June, most are starting to show signs of what is to come. This is a key moment for feeding.
Hydrangeas need nutrients to grow strong stems and support the weight of their heavy flowers. Without enough food, the blooms may be small, the colors may fade, or the plant may stop producing altogether.
Feeding in early summer helps strengthen the plant before it reaches full bloom. It also improves flower size and richness, especially in varieties known for bold shades of pink, blue, or purple.
Use a fertilizer that matches your soil and your hydrangea type. Acidic soils can shift flower colors toward blue, while more alkaline soils bring out pink tones.
Some formulas are made specifically to encourage these color shifts.
Apply fertilizer near the base of the plant, and water well afterward. Try not to let it touch the leaves or stems, especially on hot days.
If your hydrangeas are newly planted, give them time to settle before feeding. A light dose is often enough in the first year.
For mature plants, you can fertilize in both early and midsummer if needed.
Keep an eye on the leaves. Pale foliage or slow growth may be signs that your plant is hungry. Overfeeding, on the other hand, can lead to lots of leaves and very few flowers.
Hydrangeas respond best when they are given just enough care at the right time.
Feeding in June supports their natural cycle and sets them up for a fuller, more beautiful display that lasts deep into the season.
Basil
Basil is a warm-weather herb that grows quickly and rewards you with sweet, fragrant leaves that go with almost everything.
By June, the plants are usually growing fast and starting to fill out, especially in sunny spots or containers. This is the perfect time to give basil a boost.
Unlike some herbs, basil benefits from a little extra feeding. It uses that energy to grow more leaves, branch out, and recover quickly after each harvest.
Use a mild, balanced fertilizer or one labeled for herbs or vegetables. Liquid options work well because they act quickly and are easy to apply with water.
Feed every few weeks while the plant is actively growing. Be careful not to use anything too strong.
Basil can suffer from too much nitrogen, which makes the leaves big but weak and reduces the flavor.
Focus on feeding the soil, not the leaves. Pour around the base of the plant and give it a good soak.
This helps carry the nutrients directly to the roots where they are needed.
If your basil starts to flower too early, pinch off the buds. That keeps the plant focused on making leaves instead of going to seed.
Fertilizing right after pruning gives it a strong push to regrow.
Basil grown in pots may need even more frequent feeding. With regular watering, nutrients wash out quickly, especially during hot, dry weeks.
Healthy basil grows fast and full. It responds quickly to light pruning and even faster to well-timed feeding.
With just a little care in June, you can keep harvesting flavorful leaves again and again well into summer.
Blueberries
Blueberries are one of the most satisfying fruits to grow at home. Their sweet flavor, bright color, and long harvest window make them a favorite in many gardens.
By June, most blueberry bushes are either forming berries or beginning to ripen. That means their need for nutrients is peaking.
Feeding now gives the plant support right when it matters most.
Blueberries prefer acidic soil, which makes them a little different from other fruiting plants. They do best with fertilizers made for acid-loving plants like azaleas or rhododendrons.
Choose a slow-release formula or a water-soluble one that’s gentle and balanced. Avoid anything too high in nitrogen, which can cause too much leaf growth at the expense of fruit.
Apply fertilizer around the base of the plant, keeping it a few inches away from the main stem. Water deeply afterward so the nutrients move down into the root zone.
Mulching also helps. A layer of pine bark or pine needles keeps moisture in and supports the soil’s natural acidity. It also protects shallow roots from summer heat.
If your blueberry plants are in containers, they may need more frequent feeding. Container soil loses nutrients faster, especially with regular watering during hot weeks.
Watch for signs of poor nutrition. Pale leaves, slow growth, or small berries may all point to a need for extra support.
Avoid feeding too late in the season. Blueberries need time to harden off before fall, and too much late fertilizer can delay that process.
With a little attention in June, blueberry plants can stay strong, finish their fruiting cycle well, and set themselves up for another productive season next year.
Final Thoughts
June is a turning point for many plants. They are growing fast, setting fruit, or preparing to bloom again, and that takes a lot of energy.
Feeding the right plants now can make a big difference in how they perform for the rest of the season. It does not take much.
Just a little extra care, a quick check of their needs, and a few handfuls of the right fertilizer.
With the right support in early summer, your garden can stay vibrant, healthy, and full of life well into the hottest months ahead.