15 Top Veggies to Grow in the Heat
Key Takeaways
- Many vegetables, such as sweet potatoes, okra, and melons, thrive in hot weather and require minimal maintenance once established.
- Several of these heat-loving crops, including yard long beans and cucumbers, also provide additional benefits like shade for other plants and easy, abundant harvests.
- Versatile plants like Southern peas and amaranth offer multiple uses, from fresh eating to long-term storage, making them valuable additions to a summer garden.
Try planting some of these veggies that thrive in hot weather.
Plants That Love the Heat
When summer heats up, certain vegetable garden crops naturally excel. Here's a list of some hot-weather superstars.
Sweet Potatoes
Sweet potatoes flourish in summer and can produce abundantly in just about 90 days. Plant them when the weather is good and hot for best results. Plus, once the vines start spreading, sweet potatoes need minimal maintenance.
Southern Peas
Southern peas, also known as cowpeas, are incredibly versatile. They can be eaten like snap beans while young, used as green-shelled peas for side dishes or salad toppings, and easily stored when mature and dried.
Yard Long Beans
Yard long beans, grown for their long green or purple pods, have a sweet, nutty flavor reminiscent of asparagus. Grown on teepees, they are prolific and provide shade for more sensitive crops.
Hot Peppers
Hot peppers thrive from spring through fall. While larger varieties may slow down in peak summer, smaller, spicier types continue to produce abundantly.
Green Beans
Green beans are easy to grow and very productive. Opt for bush varieties for a quick harvest or pole beans for a longer production season.
Okra
Okra is one of summer's most dependable veggies, loving heat and able to handle dry conditions. Harvesting the pods every other day ensures high quality and consistent production.
Zucchini Squash
Both summer and winter squash grow best in the heat. Where pests are a problem, start seeds indoors and transplant in late June or early July. Protect plants with row covers until they bloom, and bury stems to protect against pests.
Sunflowers
Sunflowers are perfect for the low-maintenance gardener. They grow and flower with minimal care, producing seeds for your family or local wildlife. A little extra water helps them germinate quickly.
Eggplant
Eggplant is a top hot-weather producer in the tomato and potato family. Choose globe-shaped or elongated Asian varieties, and monitor for flea beetles, treating with pyrethrin if needed.
Amaranth
Amaranth is a versatile summer green, perfect for salads or cooking. Though its flowers are beautiful, prevent them from going to seed to avoid baby plants everywhere.
Malabar Spinach
Malabar spinach is a vining plant with leaves perfect for summer salads or cooking. It’s best grown in areas where summers hit consistent 90-degree temperatures.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are a classic summer vegetable. With consistent moisture and good fertility, a few plants will yield plenty of salads and homemade pickles. Growing them on a trellis improves air circulation and makes harvesting easier.
Corn
Corn is a summer favorite due to its great taste and low maintenance. Keep an eye out for worms and ensure it’s well-watered as the ears develop for the best flavor.
Melons
Melons, including watermelons, cantaloupe, and honeydew, are perfect summertime desserts. Give them room to sprawl or choose bush types for smaller spaces. Some varieties even work for containers or trellises.
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- Plants That Love the Heat
- Sweet Potatoes
- Southern Peas
- Yard Long Beans
- Hot Peppers
- Green Beans
- Okra
- Zucchini Squash
- Sunflowers
- Eggplant
- Amaranth
- Malabar Spinach
- Cucumbers
- Corn
- Melons