Summer Planting Guide

Gardening and planting don’t have to be relegated to certain times of the year. Even in the scorching heat of Texas, there are still many things that you can grow in the summertime. Planting in the summer also allows you to get ahead and plan your garden for the upcoming seasons. Let’s discover which herbs, vegetables, and flowers thrive under your green thumb during the hottest months of the year.

Herbs

During the hot summer months, it’s important to choose herbs that do best with heat and lots of sun. Luckily, most herbs need full sun to thrive, so you have several options.

• Basil
  Basil is a good choice, especially if you’re a beginner. It’s great for pesto sauce and adding flavor to Italian dishes. It needs heat to grow, so plant when the soil temperature reaches 70 degrees. Ensure that the soil is moist, and take care to water basil during dry periods. Make sure basil is in a spot that gets full sun daily.
• Cilantro
  Perfect for adding zest to Mexican or Thai dishes, cilantro offers good planting potential in the summer. It calls for full sun, but it also does well in light shade, especially in very hot areas like Texas where the sun can be scorching.
• Oregano
  Oregano thrives in warm weather. Plant cuttings or transfer a small plant when the ground temperature reaches 70 degrees. Oregano does well in partial to full sun.

Vegetables

Get ready for late summer and early fall harvest with some delicious homegrown vegetables that will be perfect in a summer salad or soups in the fall.

• Green beans
  June is an ideal time to plant beans, but they can be planted as late as July and or even August for a later harvest.
• Corn
  Yes, you can grow sweet corn in your backyard garden! Plant by the first week in July for optimal results.
• Summer Squash
  Great for pizzas, soups, and more, summer squash does best in warm weather. Plant in June for it to be ready by July or August.
• Kale
  One of the superfoods, Kale is an excellent vegetable to grow in your garden. Plant from early summer to late summer to enjoy a fall harvest, and add it to everything from smoothies to pasta dishes.
• Tomatoes
  Though they take three months of work, tomatoes are well worth the time and effort when they turn out well. They love warm weather, so they are the perfect summer crop.

Flowers

April showers bring May flowers, but your gardening skills can keep the botanical beauty going all summer long if you pick the right blooms. Be sure to properly prep the soil for best results. Here are a few varieties that do well in the sunshine.

• Marigolds
  These gorgeous golden flowers can withstand the beating sun and sweltering heat to add color to your garden throughout the summer. They are easy enough to maintain even for beginners.
• Frangipani
  A staple flower of the tropics, frangipanis are relatively easy to grow and can stand up against Texas summers.
• Mexican sunflower
  To add some pops of color in your summer garden, consider the Mexican sunflower. It can grow up to five feet tall in just a short amount of time.

Planting your summer garden will add beauty and color to your yard, as well as provide you a relaxing pursuit. Be mindful of the heat when mapping out your summer planting guide. Get your garden started today!