Four beets with the ends sliced off lying in a row on a rock surface, with each beet a different color: yellow and white, red, yellow, and white.

What to Plant in Your Garden in June

Did you know you can still plant in your garden in June? Odds are good you’ve already transplanted your tomatoes and peppers and harvested lettuce or other greens to serve up fresh for dinner. Yes, your garden has sprung to life, but if you’re interested in more than just weeding and watering, plenty of crops are still ripe for planting in many regions of the United States.

Three pale yellow ears of corn with the husks pealed back

How Tos

Corn Hand-Pollination

In absence of isolation, hand-pollination ensures that the corn plant’s flowers are not contaminated by pollen from another variety. Hand-pollination prevents hybridization and ensures that the plant produces seeds that are true-to-type.

Two yellow ears of corn surrounded by their husks and silks

Recipes

Recipe: Sweet Corn Chowder

Sweet Corn Chowder by Lucia Watson, chef and author. We make this creamy chowder when the corn is so fresh and sweet that the farmers at market give away samples to eat just off the cob. It really doesn’t need to be cooked. If using fresh corn on the cob, scrape off and reserve the kernels, then add the cobs to the stock. Just before serving, remove the cobs and add the corn kernels. Garnish with bits of bacon and freshly chopped parsley.

Four white ears of corn, with the husks off, on the ground with green husks

Recipes

Recipe: Grilled Corn Salsa

Grilled Corn Salsa submitted by Lou Ann Hall, former Seed Savers Exchange Seed Rack Manager, adapted from Cooking Light. This exceptionally versatile salsa was featured at Seed Savers Exchange’s 2018 Tomato Tasting at Heritage Farm. Pair it with tortilla chips for a party, tuck it into tacos, or serve it over blackened fish or chicken. This easy-to-make salsa is also great served as a topping or side dish for fried green tomatoes.

A metal tray with four yellow summer squash, two zucchini squash, and two small green pumpkin squash

Recipes

Recipe: Colache (Summer Squash, Mexican Style)

Colache (Summer Squash, Mexican Style) submitted by Joan Weed “This recipe is a stovetop sauté of corn, tomatoes, summer squash, and onion in butter,” says Joan. “It seems ordinary, but it is fresh, delicious, and colorful too.”

A close up of a pile of large, black and purple-dappled runner beans

Stewardship Stories

Seeds, Resurrected

In the summer of 2018, Seed Savers Exchange regenerated, or “resurrected” three rare seed varieties from the collection, including a runner bean, black oats, and corn.

Recipes

True Grits

Grinding corn for grits is a great way to start your day. Eating grits for breakfast is simple, inexpensive, and versatile! Whether you take your grits sweet, with honey and milk, or savory with cheese and roasted alliums, the simplicity of this comforting dish will have you reaching for your grain mill in addition to your coffee grinder in the mornings.