The best summer plants that can be grown in the home garden

Arabia Weather - Nothing is more beautiful in summer than a thriving garden full of fruiting plants ready to harvest. Fresh vegetables are picked and used directly to prepare healthy and delicious dishes. Learn about plants that grow in the summer heat, and get some tips and tricks on how to care for these plants in your garden.

Cucumber

The cucumber plant produces a rich crop, and it is an ideal plant to be found in the home garden and to pick fresh cucumbers for use in a refreshing summer salad dish. Unconventional cucumbers can be chosen that are small in size and difficult to find in the store, such as:

• Persian option
• lemon cucumber
• cocamillon

Cucumbers are planted in rich soil in full sun in the spring, and watered regularly to enjoy their harvest throughout the summer months, and some plants that are compatible in the garden with cucumbers and help in their prosperity, such as corn, beans and peas.

tomatoes

Tomatoes generally need a long growing season with plenty of heat and full sun, at least 6 to 8 hours a day. Some types of tomatoes have shorter growing seasons. As a general rule, it is best to plant tomatoes as soon as the weather warms up in spring to ensure a bumper crop by August. Tomatoes thrive when planted with basil and chives.

gourd or zucchini

Like tomatoes, squash or squash have a long growing season, are grown in well-drained soil, and need plenty of sun and consistent deep watering with a raised garden sprinkler or hose with a spray nozzle. Regular harvesting will encourage persistence of flowers and fruits. Squash grows well with cucumbers, corn, and beans.

Pepper

Peppers can be grown alongside tomatoes as well as eggplants because they have similar growing requirements. These plants prefer full sun, rich soil, and deep, consistent watering. To help keep the peppers well watered, use a bubble or thumb-pressing spray nozzle. Be sure to water as close to soil level as possible to prevent soil-borne diseases from spreading to the lower leaves. Peppers can be grown near carrots, radishes and squash, or onions and garlic, as well as tomatoes and eggplant.

beans

Thanks to the symbiotic relationship with the rhizobium bacteria, the beans fix nitrogen in the soil as they grow. Like cucumbers, beans can grow as an upright tree or as a climbing plant, so space is generally not an issue. Seeds can be planted directly in the garden or seedlings can be planted as soon as the soil warms up, but be careful with growing seedlings indoors because the bean plant is very sensitive when transporting, sow the bean plant in a fully sunny area and in fertile soil. Beans benefit from planting them with broccoli, carrots and peas.

Leafy vegetables

Heat-tolerant leafy greens can be planted. To maintain a bountiful harvest all summer long, plant new plants in succession every 3 to 5 weeks, depending on how much garden space you have. Water regularly, and remember to give a little extra water on the hottest days of summer.

cowpea

Cowpea needs warm weather. Sow directly in the garden, or germinate seedlings indoors about 6 weeks before they are transplanted. Plant in full sun or partial shade in sandy, well-drained soil. Cowpeas are great for helping to improve the soil. Keep the soil moist and don't let it dry out. It is recommended to irrigate at the base of the plants instead of spraying water on top of the plant so that the delicate flowers and young pods do not fall off. Planting black-eyed cowpeas with some plants such as onions or garlic is not a good idea because they can stunt each other's growth. It only goes well with strawberries and cucumbers.

okra

Okra is a warm-weather plant. If you start sprouting seeds indoors, be extra gentle with the seedlings, as their roots are very sensitive. Plant them in full sun in rich soil and be sure to harvest regularly. Okra pods can be picked when they reach 3 to 4 inches in length. Do not allow the pods to ripen too much, or the plant will stop producing. When looking for companion plants for okra, consider melons, cucumbers, and eggplant.

eggplant

Eggplant is a warm weather crop that is harvested in mid to late summer. Eggplant thrives in high temperatures like peppers or tomatoes. It needs well-drained soil, and although it loves heat, eggplant roots should be cool and moist throughout the growing season, so be sure to add mulch in the ground to help the root systems retain as much moisture as possible. Eggplant grows well when planted with beans, peppers, spinach or thyme.

Maize

Growing corn is a little tricky compared to some other summer vegetables, but with the right knowledge and a little attention to the details of when and where to plant it, it can be a rewarding and tasty crop all season. Corn needs a lot of space as well as proper pollination to produce a successful crop. Plant them in short rows about 1 foot apart for the best chance of pollination. Water regularly, as corn is a shallow rooted plant and will not tolerate dry soil. Plant corn with squash and beans for what is commonly referred to as the "Three Sisters" planting.

Leeks

It's easy to plant leeks in early summer or early spring for a late summer harvest. Plant in full sun in loose, fertile, nutrient-rich soil that drains well. Companion plants that promote leek growth include cabbage, beets, and tomatoes.

watermelon

Watermelons provide a bumper crop throughout the summer. Cantaloupes are among the most popular as they are easy to grow and ripen surprisingly quickly. Watermelons do best when planted in well-drained, sandy loam soil. They should be grown in full sun and the soil should be kept moist between watering periods. Since they are very sensitive to drought, plenty of water is needed for them to start fruiting. There are many different companion plants that will protect your watermelon, including sunflowers and marigolds.

berries

Berries aren't a vegetable, but they're easy to grow and great for adding to salads or for a healthy summertime snack or dessert. There are a range of new varieties designed to thrive in pots, making berries easy to care for. Look for cultivars like 'Raspberry Shortcake' and 'Blackberry Baby Cakes' to plant in your yard. Plant in full sun in well-drained, acidic soil with a moderate pH. There are some great companion plants for berries, but not all cultivars do well with the same companion plants. For example, strawberries work well with lettuce, spinach, and thyme, while berries would benefit from being planted with garlic, onions, and oats.

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