Summer vegetable planting guide – 15 vegetables you should grow this summer

Number one: Plant Tomatoes in summer

Every gardener loves to grow tomatoes and it is a no-brainer to grow tomatoes in summer. We recommend growing heirloom tomatoes along with cherry tomatoes and yellow pear Tomatoes. These tomatoes are absolutely delicious!

• Tomatoes
  • Cherry Tomatoes
  • Heirloom tomatoes
  • Yellow pear tomato

What are Determinate tomatoes? What does Determinate mean?

The determinate variety of tomatoes produce tomatoes all at once.

What are indeterminate tomatoes? What does indeterminate mean?

Indeterminate tomatoes keep producing all summer long.

Number two: Plant Eggplants in summer

There are many different varieties of eggplants. Eggplants grow throughout the summer and keep producing up until Autumn/Fall. Eggplants are really good roasted.

Number three: Hotpeppers/Chillies

You must grow chillies or hot peppers in summer. Chillies are very easy to grow most varieties peak at about three feet which are 1m tall. Chillies have almost no pest problems once the plants establish. You will be able to harvest lots of chillies all throughout the summer.

Number four: Sweet Peppers

You can also grow sweet peppers in summer. The sweet pepper, capsicum or bell pepper are different names for the same plant group, depending on the part of the world you’re from. Bell peppers can be very difficult to grow depending on your soil and nutrient levels. Plant bell peppers in your garden with lots of compost and harvest and enjoy bell peppers all summer long.

Number five: Okra

Not many gardeners grow okra however okra is very easy to grow. Make sure to plant okra in soil containing some compost. Plants are indeterminate – which means a continued supply of okra all throughout the summer, as long as you keep picking regularly. Okra is really good stir-fried.

Number six: Green Beans

Green beans are one of my favourite vegetables to grow in summer. Most green bean varieties produce green beans determinately – ie they come all at once so plant in succession at two week intervals with this method you will have a continuous supply of green beans all throughout the summer.

Number seven: Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes don’t grow like potatoes. Sweet potatoes belong to the morning glory family of plants and you must grow sweet potatoes from slips. Grow slips for about four to eight weeks and then plant slips in your garden. Sweet potatoes will take another four months to harvest from the time you plant sweet potato slips. You will have alot of sweet potatoes by Autumn/Fall.

Number eight: Cucumbers in summer

You can grow many different varieties of cucumbers during summer. I love to grow English cucumbers and I love snacking on these; they’re so good I can just eat it off the plant. They’re amazing.

Number nine: Gourds

All gourds are very easy to grow in summer. I like to grow bitter gourd it’s extremely bitter however it is very good for your health.

Number ten: Squash

Squash grow like crazy and summer squash plants can grow really large so make sure you give them enough space to grow.

Number eleven: Pumpkins

Pumpkins also grow really well in summer. Pumpkins take about three to four months to harvest so for the northern hemisphere plant in June to harvest by Halloween, in the Southern hemisphere, plant from September and you’re likely to get a double harvest by the end of April.

Number twelve: Basil

Basil is very easy to grow. Space basil at about one foot(30cm) apart and prune basil for much bigger and bushier plants. Basil will keep producing up until the weather gets below 50 degrees Fahrenheit or 10 degrees Celsius at night. Basil will also grow well in shade or partial shade. Basil is one of the most popular herbs to grow and every gardener should grow basil to add to soups, salads, pasta and sandwiches. Basil and tomatoes grow very well together. They also cook verty well and we give them the 10/10 coomplimentary award 🏆.

Number thirteen: Mint

Mint is a perennial – all-year-round growth – in most climates. It will die back in winter and start growing again in spring and all summer. Be careful where you plant mint, it grows like a weed. Plant mint in a very confined space such as a raised bed – otherwise mint will overtake your garden. Plant mint in shade or partial shade. Full sun makes the mint leaves a bit tough. Planting in shade keeps the leaves bigger and softer.

Number fourteen: Parsley

Parsley is another herb that does really well in summer. Start parsley from seed indoors and then plant parsley outside in your garden in summer. Parsley is a grerat natural preventative for smelly breath from garlic.

Number fifteen: Corn

Most of corn is heavily genetically modified. Make sure you plant organic non-GMO corn seeds and plant seeds directly in your garden. Corn takes about three to four months(90-120 days) to harvest and tastes more delicious than any store-bought corn.

Summary: Summer planting guide

• Tomatoes
• Eggplants
• Hot peppers and Chillies
• Sweet Peppers
• Okra
• Green Beans
• Sweet Potatoes
• Cucumbers
• Gourds
• Squash
• Pumpkins
• Basil
• Mint
• Parsley
• Corn

Thanks for reading – let uus know in the comments if you would like us to add more 👍😊