What are the best vegetables to plant in the summer?

Summer is the peak of the growing season, and this is when the vegetable garden really comes into its own. While some vegetables such as broccoli, spinach, and cauliflower prefer the cooler temperatures of spring and fall, others such as tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers need hotter weather in order to thrive.

These are the greatest summer veggies to cultivate, as well as some helpful hints.

TOMATOES

Fresh homegrown tomatoes are difficult to top. A robust crop of these popular veggies requires many months of mild summer weather. Tomatoes are voracious eaters that need rich soil and fertilizer to grow. For the best results, choose a location that gets full light and offer frequent water and additional fertilizer. Wait until nighttime temperatures are at least 55 degrees F before transplanting outside. To support fruits, plants will need trellising, caging, or staking.

Learn more about growing tomatoes.

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PEPPERS

This adaptable warm-weather vegetable comes in hundreds of distinct types, ranging from mild to scorching hot. Plants must be planted inside or obtained as nursery starts because to the extended growth period. Plant outside only when nighttime temperatures are regularly 60 degrees F or above. Peppers grow best in a sunny location with rich, well-draining soil. While planting, add an all-purpose fertilizer made for vegetables to the soil and keep plants equally hydrated. Staking or caging will be required to protect the plants from bending over or breaking due to the weight of the fruit.

Learn more about how to grow peppers.

Proven Winners sells Fire Away® Hot and Heavy pepper plants and seeds.

BERRIES

Berries, although not vegetables, are an essential component of every edible landscape. For a longer harvest, choose types that bear fruit at various periods throughout the year. Choose dwarf cultivars that can be grown in containers if you have limited room. Cross pollination of blueberries requires at least two plants, although other varieties are self-pollinating. Be careful to investigate each type’s cultural requirements. Put in broad sun, keep plants well watered over the summer, and cover with bird netting when the berries mature.

Learn more about growing strawberries.

Proven Winners sells Berried Treasure® strawberry plants and seeds.

CUCUMBER

These heat seekers are a popular crunchy addition to salads, as well as snacks for pickling. For best results, wait to direct sow seeds until the soil warms up to 60-70 degrees F. Let these vining plants to spread or train them on a fence or trellis. Make sure plants get sufficient of water on a regular basis to avoid bitter or deformed fruit. Harvest often to foster the growth of fresh fruit.

MELONS

One of summer’s greatest joys is biting into a luscious, juicy melon slice. To produce ripe, delicious fruit, melons need a lot of heat, water, quality soil, and fertilizer. Choose a south-facing site that receives reflected heat and allow plenty of room for vines to sprawl. Wait to sow seeds until soil temperature is 65-70 degrees F, or plant from nursery starts. Warm the soil and accelerate plant development by using heat-enhancing technologies such as a cloche or black plastic.

SUMMER SQUASH

These heat-loving veggies, unlike winter squash, do not keep well and are best eaten fresh. Types include green and yellow zucchini, crookneck, straightneck, pattypan, and zephyr. Choose a sunny location with rich, well-draining soil. Plant in rows or hills and direct sow seeds when soil temperature reaches 70 degrees F. Plants need one to two inches of water every week. To lessen the danger of foliar disease, use drip watering. Female flowers that yield fruit follow male blossoms.

BEANS

Beans are a nutritional powerhouse and one of the greatest sources of vegetal protein. Besides from the ever-popular green beans, there are also black, pinto, lima, and fava beans to cultivate. Sow seed outside when the soil temperature reaches 60 degrees F and the air temperature ranges from 65 to 85 degrees F. Pole beans can be harvested from mid-summer into fall, while bush types can be sown every couple of weeks throughout summer for a continuous crop. To optimize output, use space-saving trellises and containers.

Learn more about growing beans.

 

CORN

Fresh sweet corn is a classic summer crop and a popular snack at barbecues and picnics. To produce soft, plump kernels, this fast-growing food requires a lot of fertilizer and water. Plant in 4 x 4 foot squares or multiple rows to ensure successful cross-pollination. For the finest taste, harvest right before eating, freezing, or preserving. Grill fresh ears and experiment with various toppings like aioli, pesto, mayonnaise, or fresh herbs for a unique flavor.

 

EGGPLANT

When sown in the heat of summer, this delectable vegetable is prolific and simple to cultivate. To warm the soil and stimulate development in chilly climes, utilize heat-enhancing measures like as a cloche or black plastic mulch. Provide lots of sunlight, quality soil, and frequent watering. For the finest taste, choose fruits while they are fresh. Brush eggplant slices with olive oil and cook on the grill for a fast and simple side dish. Season with salt and pepper and garnish with fresh herbs, cheese, pesto, or other condiments.

GREENS

Though salad greens are normally a cool weather crop, there are still ways to enjoy fresh greens throughout the summer. Select heat-tolerant types such as Malabar spinach and New Zealand spinach. Mustard, collards, and Swiss chard can withstand both heat and cold. Even regular lettuce can be grown during the heat of summer when given shade and plenty of water. Re-seed every few weeks and harvest while the leaves are young. As the soil temperature rises over 80-85 degrees F, the rate of germination reduces. ‘Jericho,’ ‘Red Sails,’ and ‘Buttercrunch’ lettuce cultivars are heat-resistant.

OKRA

Okra, a Southern staple, is used to thicken soups, stews, and Creole gumbo. Because of its remarkable resistance to heat and drought, this easy-to-grow crop flourishes in warmer climates. After germination, edible seed pods are generated in 50-60 days. When the soil temperature hits 65-70 degrees F, direct sow seeds in rich, well-draining soil. While okra is drought-tolerant, it generates higher yields when watered on a regular basis. For the optimum texture and production, harvest a few days after blooming when the pods are still little.

PEAS

Peas are typically a cool-weather crop, although they may be replanted in mid to late summer for an autumn harvest. To calculate the best time to plant, determine your average first frost date, subtract the days to maturity listed on the seed packet, and allow an extra week for germination. To hasten germination, immerse seeds in water overnight. To assist lower soil temperature, shade young seedlings from the sun during the warmest part of the day and mulch with organic matter. Keep plants adequately hydrated in order for blooms and pods to grow.

SWEET POTATOES

This high-nutrient vegetable is high in beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, and trace minerals. Unlike regular potatoes, this tuberous vegetable is tropical in origin, needing several months of heat to thrive. Plant tuber slips in a sunny location with rich, well-draining soil after the soil temperature reaches at least 60 degrees F. Maintain uniform moisture with 1 inch of water every week. As the foliage starts to turn yellow, stop watering 2 to 3 weeks before harvest.

TOMATILLOS

This tomato relative’s little spherical green fruits grow within papery husks. The sour fruits are a mainstay in Mexican cuisine, where they are used to produce green salsa or enchilada verde sauce. Tomatillos are very cold-sensitive, preferring soil temperatures between 70 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Start seedlings inside four weeks before the final frost date, or buy nursery-grown plants. Most kinds mature in 75-100 days. For effective cross-pollination, cultivate two or more plants.

6 SUMMER VEGETABLE GROWING TIPS

1. Grow regionally: Choose types that will thrive in your location. Choose kinds that develop quicker if your growing season is shorter. Choose heat-tolerant cultivars for hotter areas.
2. Mulch: Surround plants with a 1- to 2-inch layer of compost or other organic debris. This will help conserve water, suppress weeds, and cool soil temperatures.
3. Watering: Irrigate plants in the morning to reduce evaporation and avoid foliar diseases. Drip irrigation saves water and prevents illness caused by overhead watering. Watering is very important while fruits are developing.
4. Provide shade: Crops such as greens, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, and beets benefit from partial shade during the hottest part of the day, particularly in warmer climates. Plant in a location that is shaded from the hot afternoon heat, or use a shade cloth.
5. Plant successively: Re-sow crops such as bush beans, beets, and lettuce every couple of weeks throughout the summer for continuous harvest. Plant autumn crops in the middle to late summer.
6. Harvest: Crops should be harvested early or late in the day. Produce will stay crisper, fresher and more flavorful than vegetables harvested during the heat of the day.

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