Summer planting, generally defined as sowing seeds or setting out transplants from mid-June through August, maximizes garden productivity. This period requires adjustments to deal with consistently high ambient temperatures and warm soil, unlike spring gardening. The goal is to select crops that either thrive in the heat or use the remaining warm season to establish themselves for a later harvest. Understanding which plants prefer the summer environment ensures a continuous supply of fresh produce and vibrant color well into autumn.
Heat-Loving Vegetables for Summer Sowing
A summer garden is the ideal place for vegetables that require prolonged warmth for optimal growth and fruit set. Crops like summer squash, including zucchini and pattypan varieties, flourish when the soil temperature consistently reaches 70°F, leading to rapid development. These plants are prolific producers and benefit from direct sowing into the warm ground. Okra, a classic southern staple, similarly requires soil temperatures between 65°F and 70°F to germinate and grow successfully.
Peppers, both sweet and hot varieties, thrive in the heat, with hot peppers often holding up better during prolonged high temperatures. For the best yields, the soil temperature should be in the 65°F to 70°F range when transplanting. Sweet potatoes, which are tropical in origin, need several months of heat to form their tubers; they are planted from slips once the soil temperature is at least 60°F. Providing consistent water is necessary to prevent stress and blossom drop since these plants are actively growing during the hottest part of the year.
Succession Planting for Continuous Harvest
Succession planting is a strategy of staggering plantings of the same or different crops to ensure a steady, manageable harvest rather than a single overwhelming glut. For fast-maturing crops, this means sowing small batches every two to three weeks through the summer.
Bush beans are excellent candidates for this method, as new sowings can be made every few weeks until about 50 to 60 days before the first expected frost. Certain root vegetables, such as radishes and carrots, can also be succession planted, though they may require afternoon shade and consistent moisture to prevent bolting. Specific varieties of lettuce, such as ‘Red Sails’ or ‘Buttercrunch,’ show greater heat tolerance and can be planted in small amounts, even though many popular greens struggle in the heat.
Ornamental Plants and Herbs for Summer Installation
Integrating ornamental plants and herbs that tolerate summer heat adds fragrance and color when many spring bloomers fade. Heat-tolerant annuals are perfect for filling gaps and providing season-long color. Marigolds and vinca (periwinkle), for instance, perform reliably in high temperatures and full sun, requiring minimal maintenance once established.
Herbs originating in the Mediterranean region are well-suited to summer conditions. Rosemary and thyme are woody perennials that prefer hot, sunny spots with excellent drainage and are often best established in the summer months. Basil is a classic summer herb that requires warmth, only growing vigorously once temperatures are reliably high.
Planning for Fall: Late Summer Planting
Late summer, typically July and August, is the window for planting crops destined for a fall and early winter harvest. This timing is determined by counting backward from the average first fall frost date, allowing enough time for the plant to mature before cold weather arrives. Cool-weather vegetables, particularly brassicas like broccoli, cabbage, and kale, must be started now to reach maturity during the cooler, shorter days of autumn.
Because these crops cannot tolerate mid-summer heat, seeds for brassicas are often started indoors or in a nursery area with significant afternoon shade. Once the seedlings have established their first set of true leaves, they can be transplanted into the garden. Leafy greens such as spinach and Swiss chard also benefit from late summer sowing, as cooler fall temperatures reduce the risk of bolting and enhance their flavor.