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Growing Vegetables In Summer? 10 Best Tips You Need To Know

Growing Vegetables In Summer? Here is what you need to know.

The summer is a great time to grow fruit, plants and vegetables – any excuse to get outdoors! But extreme weather, even the “good” kind, can cause problems. Whilst sunshine and warmth is helpful, too much in the form of a heatwave is not.

So to make sure your growing plants don’t get burnt out this summer, here are some tips for growing vegetables successfully this season…

 

So what Vegetables Can Cut It In The Heat?

One key to a successful summer harvest is choosing the right vegetables. Wondering how to grow potatoes? Whilst regular potatoes are typically planted in spring, you can pick late season varieties or sweet potatoes for summer.

Opt for vegetables that can tolerate the hot weather. Some great heat tolerant vegetable choices include:

  • Tomatoes
  • Peppers
  • Cucumbers
  • Zucchini
  • Eggplant
  • Beans
  • Okra

 

 

Use a Planter when Growing Vegetables In Summer

With a planter, such as ones from VegTrug, you have more control and can therefore plant and grow wherever you want. If you’re careful, you may even be able to move the planter if you find it getting too much sunlight in a heatwave (or not enough in regular weather).

 

Provide Regular Water at Specific Times

As the high levels of heat can quickly dry out the soil, make sure you water your vegetable garden regularly to avoid this. Water deeply and consistently to keep the soil consistently moist, especially during extended heatwaves.

Timing when you do your watering is also key. The best time to water is early in the morning, as this helps to minimise the chances of evaporation and gives the vegetables enough time to absorb the moisture before the sun gets too intense, as it can at mid-day.

Hopefully you’re a morning person, but if not, watering in the evening when it is cooler is the next best time to do it. However, doing this regularly could also risk the soil staying damp for longer than it would if the sun was up, which could lead to growth of fungi, moss and even cause disease.

Extra water during the day if there’s a heatwave is a good idea too, as is using drip irrigation if that’s something you’re happy to invest in. It’s an efficient method too, as it delivers water directly to the roots. This reduces water waste and keeps the foliage dry, reducing the risk of the previously mentioned fungal diseases during humid summer months.

 

Mulch Your Garden when Growing Vegetables In Summer

Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as straw, wood chips, or compost, around your plants. Mulching helps retain soil moisture, reduce weed growth, and regulate soil temperature, which will help with keeping the roots of your vegetables cooler during hot days.

 

Provide Shade If Possible

If you’re worried about your plants getting exposed to too much direct or intense sunlight, consider solutions that will provide shade. You may want to do this for the hottest part of the day. You can use shade cloths or create temporary shade structures.

 

Fertilize The Right Way

Make sure you fertilize using balanced, slow release organic fertilizers. This will help to provide them with the essential nutrients needed throughout the growing season. Try to avoid over fertilizing, as doing so could lead to excessive growth or scorching in the hot weather. Scorching refers to when a plant can’t cope in its environment.

Growing Vegetables In Summer

Take Care of Pests

Check your plants regularly for signs of pests. As it’s summer, the warm weather can attract many different types of insects. Either handpick them when you see them or use organic pest control methods to protect your crops, such as physical barriers or organic sprays.

 

Regular Harvesting

Be sure to harvest your vegetables regularly. Doing so will encourage a continuous production, meaning the plants can focus all their energy in producing more vegetables. It also prevents over ripening.

 

Consider Air Circulation when Growing Vegetables In Summer

Avoid doing things such as planting vegetables too close together. Make sure you prune any excess foliage as this will improve airflow. Proper air circulation means lower humidity levels and minimises the risk of any fungal diseases.

 

Plan Things Out

Finally, you may want to start growing some heat loving vegetables indoors to get an early head start. Once the seasonal weather properly hits you can transplant them outside.

 

Grow Vegetables With Confidence, Even In The Heat

By following these tips, you can make sure your vegetable garden’s performance won’t suffer during the hottest months of the year. With a good strategy, you can enjoy a thriving crop of delicious homegrown vegetables. Best of luck!

 

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