Last Updated on January 11, 2022
It’s hot outside and you don’t want to spend your summer days working in the garden. The summer heat can be an obstacle to gardening in many locations, but there are ways of handling it!
The heat can be really tough on plants, but there are some heat tolerant vegetables that can handle the warm weather a little better than others.
Continue reading this blog post about the best heat tolerant vegetable varieties for the summer. We’ll tell you what those vegetables are, how to grow them, and tips for keeping them healthy in the hot sun.
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What are Some Heat Tolerant Vegetable Varieties?
Here are some of the easiest heat loving vegetables to grow, with tips to give you the best result in hot weather conditions:
Tomatoes
There are many heat tolerant varieties of tomatoes that do well in hot weather! They’re easy to grow and perfect for making sauces and canning.
Planting and hot weather care tips for tomatoes:
If you’re planting tomatoes in the hot weather, make sure they get lots of sun exposure.
They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day in order to grow strong, healthy plants that will produce plenty of tomatoes.
If you want to give your plants some extra help in the hot weather, plant them near a trellis or other support system . This way, their vines can grow upwards instead of outwards.
Eggplant
Another perfect vegetable to plant in the hot summer months, eggplant is a nutritious choice you can eat raw or use in soups and stir-fries. You can also pickle it with your favorite spices for later!
Planting and care tips for eggplants:
Plant eggplants in full sun exposure, with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day.
If you want to try growing eggplant in slightly shadier areas, choose varieties that are smaller or have a white flower color.
Eggplants need soil temperatures around 70 F (21 C) before they can grow, so be sure to plant them after the danger of frost is gone.
Okra
Incredibly tasty and easy-to-grow, okra provides a great harvest in just 75 days! It’s also very nutritious as it contains vitamins A, C and K as well as lots of fiber and iron.
Planting and care tips for growing okra:
There’s no need to grow your okra indoors and transfer it outside. Okra seeds can handle hot weather and should be planted directly in the ground once soils reach at least 70 F (21 C).
Okra benefits from full sun exposure, so make sure that you plant them where they’ll get as much direct sunlight as possible.
Peppers
Perfect for stuffing, frying or adding to soups and salads, peppers are a great way to add nutrients to your diet. They’re also fun because there are so many different kinds you can choose from!
Planting and care tips for bell peppers:
Make sure that the ground where you plant your peppers has good drainage for optimal growth.
You can plant peppers in the summer months once the danger of frost is gone and soil temperatures reach at least 70 F (21 C).
Peppers need lots of sunlight, so be sure that you choose a location that’s sunny throughout most of the day.
Green beans
Also called snap beans, green beans are a great addition to any garden! They’re tasty in salads and delicious when boiled and eaten with a little salt.
Planting and care tips for growing green beans:
Green beans should be planted in full sun exposure with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day.
In hot temperatures, you’ll have the best results with bush beans. Pole beans are better suited to cooler weather.
Harvest green beans frequently because they don’t keep for very long after maturity.
Cucumbers
Delicious in salads, appetizers, and sandwiches, cucumbers can be eaten raw or pickled! They’re also incredibly easy to grow and thrive in hot weather conditions.
Planting and care tips for cucumbers:
Cucumber plants love full sun exposure with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. They also prefer looser soils that are rich in organic matter, so be sure to work some compost or manure into the ground before planting your cucumbers.
You can begin planting cucumber seeds once the danger of frost is gone and soil temperatures reach at least 70 F (21 C).
Cucumbers grow upwards, so they’re a great choice for trellises. They also grow well alongside corn.
Squash
Delicious when fried or in soups, one of the most popular types of squash is zucchini! It’s also incredibly easy to grow, so if you want to have extra on hand for your summer meals, consider planting some squash.
Planting and care tips for growing summer squash:
Squash prefer full sun exposure with at least 6-8 hours of sunlight each day.
It’s best to plant summer squash seeds directly in the ground, because they cannot tolerate transplanting.
Squash needs rich soil that is well-drained and fertile. Add compost to the soil before planting your squash seeds for extra nutrients and a healthier seedling!
Carrots
Easy to grow and packed with vitamins and minerals, carrots are a great choice when it comes to eating healthy in the summer!
Planting and care tips for growing carrots:
Carrots prefer loose, rich soil that is full of organic matter. They also grow best when planted in a location with plenty of sun exposure, so be sure to choose a spot that gets at least 6-8 hours of sunlight daily.
When you choose which carrots to plant, be sure to consider your climate. Carrots are difficult to grow in climates with short growing seasons.
Basil
Easy to grow and great for adding flavor to summer dishes, basil is a staple in Italian cooking! It’s also easy to start from seed indoors if you’re not able to get outside until the heat subsides.
Planting and care tips for growing basil:
Basil grows best in full sun exposure with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.
Be sure to plant your basil where the temperature is a minimum of 70 F (21 C). F rom time to time, be sure to water it! Basil needs about 1 inch of water per week .
When it comes to basil, you can encourage growth by pinching off the top. If you want lots of basil leaves on your plant, pinch off new flowers as they appear.
Swiss chard
This colorful type of chard is not only beautiful in the garden, but delicious in the summer heat.
Planting and care tips for growing Swiss chard:
Swiss chard prefers looser soils that are well-drained. It’s also susceptible to root rot, so be sure you allow proper airflow around your plants. Swiss chard grows best in full sun exposure with at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.
Sweet corn
If you love fresh corn on the cob, consider planting some sweet corn in your garden.
Planting and care tips for growing sweet corn:
Sweet corn is much easier to grow than field corn. It’s also best when planted alongside trellises or other structures, because the heavy ears will weigh down the stalks.
Be sure to plant your sweet corn seeds about two weeks after the last frost has occurred.
Conclusion
There are many varieties of heat-tolerant vegetables that will grow very well in your summer garden. Whether you have just a few plants or a variety of crops, with heat tolerant vegetable varieties you can enjoy the fruits of your labors without having to spend hours laboring in the hot sun!
Several other veggies thrive in a garden situated in a hot weather area. You want to make the most of your given climate with the specific types of food you want to cultivate, so if something doesn’t do well in the heat, don’t be discouraged about it — try another vegetable instead.
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