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There are so many advantages to planting a summer garden, and without a doubt, making your own food and picking it fresh is the best! Nothing beats fresh produce from a summer garden. Of course, the kids will love it too. Gardening is a great way to get the family together and move towards a healthier life. Like with any activity, this will depend on where you live. However, some vegetables will grow just about anywhere with ease.
Summer Garden Vegetables
Winter Squash is a great option, no matter where you live.
Even in desert habitats, squash is pretty easy to keep in a summer garden. They like full sun, so if it rains every day where you live, keep that in mind and try to pick an area that is exposed to the sun as often as possible. You’ll want to harvest before the first frost, which is typically in September or October, depending on your area.
Pro Tip: There are vining varieties of squash and bush varieties. Make sure to allow more room for vining varieties.
Peppers are a great summer garden vegetable! You’ll want to wait two weeks after the last frost before you plant them, but once you do, they’re relatively easy to grow, even in hot climates. If you do plant in a more humid climate, be aware that they may not produce until the weather begins to cool slightly. Peppers also like full sun, but they need a fair amount of moisture. They’re perfect for a summer garden because they’re easy, and you can do so much with them when you harvest!
Tomatoes are an excellent choice for any summer garden, no matter the climate. Typically they should be planted in containers indoors about a month and a half before the last frost. Once the temperature has warmed up a bit and you’ve got night temperatures above 50 degrees F, you can move them outside. They need anywhere from 6 to 8 hours of sun, so plant them in an area that will allow them the exposure they need.
Pro Tip: Tomatoes need to be planted deeper than most vegetables, so you want to have at least two-thirds of the tomato stem underground.
Though it requires lots of sunshine, Eggplant can pretty much be planted anywhere successfully. It makes a great addition to a summer garden. In places with colder climates, you’ll want to start indoors about two months early, and then move them outdoors three weeks after the last frost. Make sure to keep the ground moist as they will grow best in these conditions.
Corn is a perfect summer garden vegetable and arguably the most delicious when it’s eaten fresh! Keep in mind, corn needs much more space to grow than most plants, and you’ve got to plant them about a foot apart. So make sure this is something you have room for if you plan to grow it! It grows in most climates, as long as it’s watered frequently.
Pro Tip: Plant corn in short rows to increase the chance that the corn will be
All of these vegetables are sure to make a perfect summer garden and allow for some delicious, fresh food! Of course, there are many other vegetables you can plant in a summer garden; these are just some of the most versatile climate-wise and easiest to grow. Which ones would you like to try?
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