7 Plants You Should Rip Out Before June

Sharing is caring!

Here’s the brutal truth: some of the plants in your garden are dead weight. They’ve done their job (kind of), they’ve had their 15 minutes, and now they’re just sitting there… flopping, bolting, spreading, or sulking. And the longer you let them stay, the more they mess things up for everything else.

This isn’t about being cruel. It’s about being smart. End of may is the gardener’s version of clean out the fridge before it smells weird. You’re not just ripping things out. You’re setting your garden up for the kind of June growth that makes your neighbors glance over the fence and whisper, “How do they do it?”

So grab your gloves, your trowel, and maybe a coffee you’re going to forget and leave on the raised bed. These are the seven plants you should kick out before June rolls in.

1. Spent Spring Bulbs (Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths… you know the type)

They showed up early, made everything feel poetic and Instagram-worthy, and now they’re just… flopped. If your garden currently looks like it’s wearing last month’s party decorations, it’s probably because of these guys.

• Foliage turned yellow and limp? That’s your cue. The show is over.
• Leaving them in? You’re just inviting rot, pests, and passive-aggressive looks from your tomatoes.
• Still green? Give them a bit more time. They need to photosynthesize and charge up for next year. But the moment they slump? Pull.

If you’re the sentimental type, dig up the bulbs, dry them, and store them somewhere cool and shady. If not? Toss them in the compost and call it a clean break.

Bonus tip: Don’t leave the space empty. Add mulch, sow zinnias, or sneak in some basil starts. Your garden will thank you in two weeks.

2. Bolted Lettuce and Spinach

They were fresh, sweet, and downright lovable… until the weather warmed up and they went full giraffe mode. Now they’re shooting skyward, flowering like they’re auditioning for a pollinator documentary, and tasting like disappointment.

• See a tall central stalk? That’s bolting. They’re officially done being salad.
• Leaves bitter? That’s not your imagination. Bolted greens are basically punishment food.
• Trying to wait it out? Don’t. They won’t unbolt. This isn’t a reversible mistake.

Rip them out and compost what you can. Then consider what actually thrives in late spring:

• Swiss chard (surprisingly chill)
• Bush beans (fast and reliable)
• Heat-tolerant greens like New Zealand spinach or Malabar spinach

Optional drama: Let one or two plants go to seed if you want free lettuce in weird places next year. It’s chaotic, but it works.

3. Sad Pansies and Violas

They were cheerful. They were adorable. They handled the cold like tiny floral warriors. But now? Now they look like they’ve seen things.

• Stretched out and floppy? That’s legginess — a clear sign they’re done performing.
• Blooms fewer and sadder by the day? They’re not being lazy. They’re overheating.
• Hoping for a second wind? Not happening. They’re spring stars, not summer ones.

Go ahead and pull them. It’s not betrayal. It’s timing.

Here’s what to plant in their place if you want drama, color, and actual enthusiasm for warm weather:

• Marigolds (practically unkillable)
• Zinnias (all the color, none of the whining)
• Petunias (bring the vibes if you keep them fed)

Pro tip: Before planting new things, fluff the soil a little and work in some compost. Think of it as a palette cleanser between acts.

4. Self-Seeding Weeds (Like Chickweed, Bittercress, and Friends)

They start out small. Harmless, even. Some are kind of cute. But give them a few weeks and suddenly your garden’s hosting a weed rave, and you were not on the guest list.

• Already flowering? Too late — they’re plotting their takeover via seed.
• Let them drop seed? You’ve just RSVP’d to their second annual invasion party.
• Pulling them early? That’s the only way to win this game.

If you spot chickweed, bittercress, or any other fast-spreading freeloaders, yank them out *before* they go to seed. And do it with gusto.

Some gardeners use mulch as a preventive layer. Others go full hawk-eye and patrol daily. Either way, you’re aiming for zero free-seeders by June.

Bonus move: After weed removal, give that space to quick-growing crops like radishes or baby greens. Let useful things occupy the space before weeds get other ideas.

5. Early Peas That Stopped Producing

You planted them when the air was still chilly and the hope was high. They gave you a few sweet pods. Maybe even enough for a smug little side dish. But now? They’re turning yellow, the vines are scraggly, and the pods — if any — are more string than snack.

• Yellowing vines? That’s heat stress. They’re over it.
• No new flowers or pods? That means they’ve retired, and they’re not coming out of retirement.
• Still waiting for a second flush? Save yourself the disappointment. Pull them.

Once peas get heat-tired, they check out completely. No pep talks, no amount of watering — they’re just done. And they’re taking up trellis space you could be using for something that actually wants to grow right now.

Here’s what to plant instead, depending on your vibe:

• Climbers? Try pole beans. They’ll race up the same trellis in no time.
• Short-season crops? Bush beans or cucumbers are solid rebound options.
• Feeling ambitious? Try a heat-tolerant tomato or squash if the space gets full sun.

Quick tip: Cut the vines at the base instead of yanking the roots if you want to disturb the soil less. The leftover roots will break down and feed the soil quietly like little nitrogen ghosts.

6. Bolted Herbs (Looking at You, Cilantro and Dill)

There’s always one herb in the bunch that decides it’s time to grow six feet tall and start a flower farm. And it’s never the basil. It’s always the cilantro. Or the dill. Or something equally dramatic.

• Central stalk forming? That’s bolting. Once it happens, flavor goes downhill fast.
• Leaves smaller and more bitter? That’s your culinary dreams slowly dying.
• Letting it flower for the bees? Respect. But know you’re not getting good garnish anymore.

7. Invasive Ground Covers That Got Out of Hand

They started as a cute little patch. “Oh look, it’s filling in so nicely,” you said. Fast-forward to now, and it’s a turf war. Creeping Jenny is strangling the thyme. Mint is sprinting across your beds like it pays rent. And violets? Violets have staged a quiet coup.

• Spreading faster than you can prune? That’s not growth. That’s an uprising.
• Choking other plants? You’ve got a problem. Ground covers are only charming when they stay in their lane.
• Already snuck into your lawn? Good luck. Better start pulling before they claim another zip code.

Get ruthless. Dig them up, roots and all. You’re not being harsh — you’re protecting the rest of your garden from a green monopoly.

Need a less chaotic replacement? Try:

• Thyme (smells great, plays nice)
• Ajuga (low, colorful, not a thug)
• Strawberries (ground cover and snacks — the dream)

Real talk: Mint belongs in a pot. Preferably across the yard. Maybe behind a fence.

Don’t Let May’s Mess Steal June’s Magic

I know it’s hard. Some of these plants feel like old friends. You nurtured them through cold snaps, whispered nice things to them in April, and now I’m telling you to pull them up by the roots?

Yes. Because gardening isn’t just about what’s growing — it’s about what’s thriving. And the stuff you’re ripping out? It’s making room for something better.

Every garden has its seasons. Clearing out the underperformers now sets you up for a summer full of color, growth, and plants that actually want to be there. That’s the kind of garden that feels good to walk through. That’s the one worth showing off.

See you tomorrow — I’ll send you a fresh list of what to plant next. The kind of stuff that doesn’t just survive June… it loves it.