Summer isn’t just about the hot heat and long gardeners’ days. While most people sweat in the fiery sun, gardeners can enjoy lemonade in the shade of a large tree.
The intense heat of the sun can stress many plants, but there are some outstanding varieties that actually thrive in warmer climates. These heat-loving vegetables can be treated like a summer roast and can be continued to produce with a little care.
Most plant plants require 6 hours of direct sunlight to thrive. However, these plants cannot withstand harsh afternoon sunlight on hot days. It is essential to use a shaded cloth or grow these vegetables in places where they can be saved from burnt sunlight.
Okra, tomatoes, cucumbers, sweet potatoes, spinach, and Swiss chard care take care of among the best summer vegetables to grow in your backyard.
Whether you’re working on raised beds, containers, or small backyard plots, there are plenty of low maintenance vegetables that don’t bother you a little heat.
In this article, we’ll walk through some of the easiest vegetables to share tips to help you grow and thrive in the summer, even if temperatures start to spike.
13 Easy vegetables that grow in the summer
1. okra
Okra is a heat-loving plant that thrives in the sun and drained soil. It prefers a slightly acidic to neutral pH (about 6.5-7.0) and benefits from rich organic matter in the soil.
Once established, okra is drought resistant and requires no fuss, but consistent watering during dry spells will boost pod production. Set the plants to about 12-18 inches apart to give them room for tall, bushy growth.
You will want to plant okra after the final frost when the soil temperature is warmed to at least 65F. In most areas, this means sowing seeds from late spring to early summer.
Usually, the pods begin to appear within 50-60 days. This means a stable summer harvest if you continue to choose regularly. Frequent harvesting encourages the plant to produce more pods throughout the season.
2. Bush beans
Bush beans are one of the easiest vegetables to grow in warm climates, especially for beginners. They prefer full sun (6-8 hours a day) and well-drained soils rich in compost.
Avoid excessive bloating with nitrogen-rich products. This is because it promotes lush growth at the expense of beans. Unlike pole varieties, bush beans do not require support and grow in a compact, self-supporting manner.
When the soil temperature reaches at least 60F, plant bush beans directly on the ground, usually at the end of spring. They grow fast – most varieties that mature in just 50-60 days – perfect for summer harvest.
You can also plant inheritance every few weeks for a continuous supply of beans throughout the season. Moisten the soil and choose a pod while the pod is still young and soft.
3. zucchini
Zucchini is one of the most rewarding summer vegetables to grow. It is essentially negligent and prosperous. It loves the full sun and loose, well flowing soil, rich in compost and aged fertilizer.
Zucchini plants are heavy feeders and drinkers, so they can continue to produce them all summer by feeding them occasionally with consistent moisture and balanced fertilizer. They tend to spread widely, so give them plenty of space.
When the temperature is consistently above 70F, seed seeds directly into the garden. With rapid germination and rapid growth cycles, zucchini harvesting can begin in just 40-50 days.
Choose them small and often. This will keep the plant production up and soften the fruit. A single plant can produce an astonishing number of zucchini during the season.
Also Read: 19 Vegetables for Your Winter Garden
4. Malabar spinach
Malabar spinach is not a real spinach, but it is a great summer alternative that loves hot and humid weather. This climbing grape grows completely from the partial shade to the full sun and requires moist, rich soil. Provide Trellis or some kind of vertical support, as it can grow rapidly once established.
After the danger of frost has passed, start seeds and seedlings. Malabar spinach takes about 55-70 days to mature. When the vines begin to actively vinify, they can begin harvesting the young leaves. As it is a cut-and-cam type crop, regular harvests promote new growth throughout the summer.
5. eggplant
Eggplants enjoy the heat, needing a fulfilling sun, warm soil and ample space to breathe. They grow best in rich, well-drained soils with a pH of about 6.0-6.8.
Eggplants also appreciate consistent watering and mulch layers, which coolly moisten the roots. In windy regions, it is helpful to stake plants as fruits can be heavier.
If nighttime temperatures exceed 60°F (16°C), seedlings are transplanted outdoors. Early start helps to ensure a window for a long harvest, as they usually require 70-85 days to produce fruit. When the eggplant is shiny and firm, harvest when it is not too hard or too soft for the best flavor and texture.
6. Sweet potato
Sweet potatoes thrive in hot climates and are well-drained soils on sandy beaches with plenty of organic matter. They don’t need much fertilizer and can even withstand poor soil.
These vast grapes like the perfect sun and extend over garden beds and large containers, so you can have room for diffusion.
Once the soil is warmed to at least 65°F (18°C), start with a slip (young shoot). Sweet potatoes take about 90-120 days to mature, so planting them at the end of spring allows them to be harvested by late summer or early autumn. In the meantime, you can cut out some young leaves and add them to stir-fry or soup.
7. Cucumber
Cucumbers are fast growing grapes that require complete sun, rich soil and consistent watering, especially during fruit production. They can be grown on the ground or trained trellis to save space and keep the fruit clean. Mulching retains soil moisture and reduces the risk of powdered mold.
The cucumber seeds are sown directly in warm soil or transplantation begins after the last frost day. Most varieties will mature within 50-70 days, so you will harvest fresh cucumbers in the middle of summer. Keep picking it up regularly to encourage continuous fruition.
Also Read: 30 Best Vegetables to Grow in Buckets, Bags and Containers
8. New Zealand spinach
This heat-resistant lush greenery is ideal for those craving fresh greenery in the middle of summer. Unlike traditional spinach, New Zealand spinach is hot and unbolted. It prefers full sun, but withstands some shade and grows best in sandy, well-drained soil with medium watering.
Direct sowing seeds when soil temperatures are consistently above 70°F (21°C). The plant starts late, but takes off when the heat arrives. In about 50-60 days, young leaves are harvested and pinched the stems to promote the growth and continuous production of the buccière.
9. Pepper (Bell & Hot)
Pepper loves heat and requires a full sun with a slightly acid to neutral pH and well draining soil. They benefit from regular watering and mulching to retain moisture and control weeds. Avoid excessive bloat with nitrogen-rich fertilizers that can slow fruiting.
Start pepper indoors, buy a port and jump into the season. When the night is over 55-60F, you will be moved outside. Most varieties take 60-90 days depending on the type. For a steady summer harvest, choose peppers as soon as they reach full size, even if they are green.
10. Yard Long Beans (Asparagus Beans)
Yard Long Beans are made for summer use. They love heat, humidity and soil that can stress other plants. These active climbers grow best in the full sun and need a sturdy trellis or support system. They are surprisingly pest resistant and very low maintenance.
If the temperature is consistently above 70F, seed directly into the garden. Yardlong beans grow rapidly and can begin harvesting in about 60-75 days. Choose a pod when the pod is long and thin.
11. Swiss Chard
Swiss chards are more heat-tolerant than many lush greenery, making them perfect for summer gardens. It thrives from partial shade under the perfect sun and grows well in rich, well flowing soil. Keeps the soil cool, especially between hot and dry spells and mulch.
Sow seeds directly into the garden after the final frost, or the transplant begins for faster harvesting. The chard matures in about 50-60 days, but can begin harvesting the outer leaves more quickly. Plants continue to be produced throughout the summer if they are not harvested too aggressively at once.
12. Armenian Cucumber
Armenian cucumbers are not true cucumbers, but they grow like them and love heat. They are best grown in trellis to promote air circulation and produce long, straight fruits. These plants do their best in regular watered full sun and fertile, well-drained soil.
Once the soil is warm, sow seeds directly in late spring. They usually mature in 60-70 days and are best chosen when they are 12-18 inches long and are still soft. Armenian cucumbers are especially great for raw slices and remain crispy even in hot weather.
13. Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Roselle is a tropical plant with edible leaves and bright red calixes used in tea and jams. It can handle short dry spells, but prefers full sun, well draining soil, and normal moisture. The plant grows into small shrubs, and also adds decorative value.
After all the hazards of frost have passed and the soil is warmed, indoors or sows are in the air. Roselle takes 90-100 days to reach maturity, but can begin harvesting young leaves early for salads and cooking. The calix, used in hibiscus tea, is ready for the end of summer.
Conclusion
Summer doesn’t have to be a challenging season for gardening. In fact, it’s the perfect time to grow a wide range of simple heat-resistant vegetables. From sun-loving staples like zucchini, okra and peppers to lush greenery like Malabar spinach and New Zealand spinach, New Zealand spinach never stops the heat, there’s something in all kinds of summer gardens.
Many of these vegetables thrive in the perfect sun and actually prefer warm soil and consistent heat. Others like Swiss Chard and Bush Beans grow a little better in the shade of the afternoon, especially in hot weather. Whether you’re working in a raised bed, container, or small garden, these resilient plants are built to minimize the baking steam in the summer.
By choosing the right variety and planting it at the right time, you can enjoy a productive and rewarding harvest all summer long after the final frost, which naturally warms the soil. With a little care, clever watering and attention to the quality of the soil, your garden could thrive even if temperatures rise.
Computer Science Alumnus Khaja Moinuddin is delighted with gardening and homestead. Join him on this blog as he shares his experiences in homesteading, gardening and composting
