Late Spring Planting Guide: What You Can Still Grow Now

Just because spring is winding down doesn’t mean your planting season is over! At The Dees’ Nursery & Florist, we’re here to help you make the most of the late spring sunshine and plant a garden that thrives well into summer.

Here’s what you can still plant right now in Oceanside, NY:

Annuals That Still Shine

Still have containers, window boxes, or garden beds to fill? These colorful, heat-tolerant annuals are fast-growing and bloom all summer long:

  • Petunias – These vibrant favorites love full sun and come in a rainbow of colors. Great for hanging baskets or mixed containers.

  • Marigolds – Easy to grow and natural pest deterrents, marigolds thrive in hot, sunny spots.

  • Zinnias – Bold, daisy-like blooms that attract butterflies and bring major summer color.

  • Impatiens – Perfect for shady areas, these shade-lovers bloom nonstop in pinks, purples, and whites.

  • Salvia – Spikes of blue, purple, or red that hummingbirds can’t resist.

Late-Start Veggies

Starting a vegetable garden in late spring? You’re still right on time for summer harvests with these:

  • Tomatoes – Choose patio or cherry varieties for quicker fruiting. Stake or cage early!

  • Cucumbers – Plant seeds or young plants now; they’ll love the warm soil.

  • Peppers – Bell, banana, or jalapeño—peppers thrive in heat and need plenty of sun.

  • Zucchini – Easy to grow and prolific, just give them space to sprawl.

  • Basil & Other Herbs – Basil, parsley, dill, and mint grow quickly and love warm weather.

Perennials for Pollinators

Plant now, enjoy for years. These summer-blooming perennials are not only gorgeous but support bees, butterflies, and other pollinators:

  • Coneflowers (Echinacea) – Sturdy, drought-tolerant, and stunning in purples and pinks.

  • Black-Eyed Susans – Cheerful yellow blooms that come back bigger every year.

  • Coreopsis – Sun-loving with sunny yellow or bi-color blooms that bees adore.

  • Yarrow – Fragrant foliage and clusters of tiny flowers that bloom all summer.

  • Milkweed – A must for monarch butterflies and easy to care for once established.

🛠️ Helpful Tips from Our Garden Experts

  • Water deeply in the morning to encourage deep roots and reduce evaporation.

  • Mulch new plantings to lock in moisture and keep weeds down.

  • Fertilize annuals every 1–2 weeks with a bloom booster for long-lasting flowers.

Visit The Dees’ This Week!

Whether you’re just getting started or filling in a few final gaps, The Dees’ Nursery & Florist has everything you need—vibrant plants, premium soil, quality tools, and friendly advice from local gardening pros.