You'll never run out of summer garden crops to choose from this growing season? Here, we have a list of the perfect summer garden crops to grow during the hottest months of the year!
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Ideal Summer Garden Crops to Grow This Season
1. Basil
@epicgardening ♬ Dreamland – Alexis Ffrench
With the incredible flavor and health-boosting properties of basil, your summer garden must never be without it. It's super easy to grow and adds a distinct flavor to so many dishes. Make sure you're harvesting basil properly with this guide.
2. Bitter Melon
Bitter melon is certainly a strong flavor, but I learned to love it and I think you will too. And knowing the amazing health benefits of bitter melon, you'll definitely make it a permanent addition to your summer garden.
3. Chili Pepper
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Amusingly, hot chili peppers thrive well in the hot summer weather. Don't forget to include this hot spice in your summer garden for your hot and flavorful recipes.
4. Chinese Long Beans
Did you know beans grow well with squash and corn, thus dubbed the three sister plants? Similarly, all three thrive well in the hot summer weather.
5. Cucumber
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Cucumbers are great pickled and canned, which you can do after the harvest. Fortunately, a single vine grows A LOT of cucumbers with minimal effort. You'll probably have an excess, but that's fine–the more the better for your canning ideas.
6. Cantaloupe
With the dehydrating effect of the hot summer weather, you'll need refreshing fruits like cantaloupe. Good thing they grow well this season, so make sure to include this fresh and sweet fruit in your garden!
7. Okra
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Your soul food recipes like jambalaya and fried ladies' fingers will taste so much better with fresh okra. It's good thing this hardy plant is easy to grow and ideal for this summer growing season.
8. Shallots
If you want the healthy goodness of alliums this summer, grow shallots for its shorter growing season. You can also enjoy the greens while waiting for the bulbs to grow.
9. Summer Squash
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Whether it's butternut, Hubbard, spaghetti or calabaza, summer is the perfect time to grow any squash variety. Fresh squash is definitely ideal for any squash recipes.
10. Sweet Potato
Did you know you can regrow more sweet potatoes from the root crop? Think about the tasty treats you can make from sweet potatoes and grow them this summer in your garden.
11. Pumpkin
If you're planning to carve a Jack O'Lantern for Halloween, start sowing pumpkin seeds around August. They will be ready for you in the fall, just in time for Halloween.
12. Bell Pepper
Like most of you, bell pepper is something I use often in my recipes, so my garden is never without this tasty vegetable. Moreover, you can grow sweet pepper in containers if you have limited space for growing crops.
13. Eggplant
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Your summer garden isn't complete without the humble eggplant. The good news is you'll never run out of supplies for these healthy eggplant recipes.
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14. Garlic
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Garlic is one of the best companion plants for most summer garden crops like tomatoes and eggplants. Although it takes time to grow, garlic sure is a summer crop staple you would want to see in your garden.
15. Tomato
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Look for a spot where sunlight is sufficient is a great tomato gardening tip. Because of that, tomatoes are a perfect summer garden crop.
16. Corn
Along with sunflower, beans, and pumpkin, corn is one of the most notable summer garden crops. It is also one of the most drought-tolerant crops you can find.
17. Watermelon
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Amazingly, the water-packed watermelon is a drought-tolerant crop. Make sure you've got room to spare for this summer-relevant crop in your garden.
18. Bush Beans
Secret survival garden staple bush beans are perfect for the summer heat. They're relatively easy to grow and will provide you with a harvest that will last for the next season.
19. Peanuts
I love peanuts, so take it from me–growing peanuts is easy and rewarding. Think about roasted salted peanuts, homemade peanut butter, and simple boiled peanuts while enjoying the sunshine.
20. Sunflower
Did you know the flower heads of sunflowers are edible and can be consumed like artichokes? Now you know that sunflowers are enjoyed not just for their beauty!
21. Growing Zucchini
A lot of gourd, squash, and pumpkin varieties grow best in the hot weather, including zucchinis. Make this addition to your summer garden and you'll never regret it.
22. Tomatillos
To bring some international flavor to your garden, go with tomatillos. They grow on a vine, like tomatoes and even look like green tomatoes with husks. Their taste is distinctly different than tomatoes, though, and they really add a zesty flair to salsa or other sauce.
23. Amaranth
Amaranth is a colorful, leafy vegetable that comes in vibrant hues. Aside from adding color to your garden, it is an extremely nutritious addition to salads and makes a good side dish. The seeds of the plant can even be collected to pop, just like corn kernels!
24. Malabar Spinach
Perhaps more than anything else on this list, malabar spinach loves the sweltering heat. It thrives in areas that average 90° Farenheit during the day. If you live somewhere temperate, this might not be the crop for you.
25. Manoa Lettuce
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Generally, lettuce grows best in the winter and dries up in the hot summer. Manoa lettuce is one of the only varieties that actually loves the heat.
I don't have to tell you what lettuce is used for; it's an old standby!
26. Parsnips
Strikingly similarly to carrots, the sweet and rich flavor of parsnips offers an adventure for the palate. Directly sow the seeds on a sunny spot in your garden. Remember, patience is key in growing these summer plants as the seeds take time to germinate.
27. Sorrels
Growing sorrels is pleasing both to the eyes and tastebuds. Perfect for your salads and soups, these hardy plants are best grown in containers where you can also showcase their lovely foliage.
Watch this video about vegetable gardening.
There you have it, green thumbs! Healthy and tasty fruits and veggies to grow in your summer vegetable garden. I sure can't wait to get the seeds in the ground and have them harvested by the end of this growing season. Make sure you have these summer garden crops on your list too!
Which of these summer garden crops will you be growing this season? I'd be delighted to hear all about it in the comments below!
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Editor’s Note: This post was originally published in May 2016 and has been updated for quality and relevancy.
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