While some vegetables cannot thrive in the summer, there are a lot of tasty crops that can allow you to reap a tasty harvest when you plant them during this time of the year.
What follows is our recommendation on the best late summer vegetables to plant which can get well planted and reach their full maturity before the hard frost arrives.
Which vegetables to plant in late summer?
Carrots
Though farmers can plant these beta-carotene-rich vegetables every three weeks, they will fully germinate and be best grown in consistent soil moisture and the temperature range from 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (16-21 degrees Celsius).
Therefore, make sure to provide your crops with full sunlight and good irrigation!
In summer, sow seeds outdoors for cool and cold seasons from 10 to 12 weeks before the average first winter frost-falling date. To give your seeds enough time to produce carrots in the autumn, late July to early August is the optimum time for carrot planting.
Five weeks after growing carrots, when the seedlings are developing, you should gradually and regularly apply fertilizer and mulch in your rotation to maintain a stable moisture level and eliminate any weed problems.
Note: Overheating can slow down the growth and reduce the yields of carrots planted in warmer inland, farmers living in these areas often avoid growing carrots at hotter times of a year.
Radish
Among all of the root crops that can produce crops within 30 days of planting, Cherry Belle radish is one of the fastest-growing ones that can mature within 22 days.
Plant the seeds of this easy-to-grow and quick-maturing crop wherever there is a lot of sunlight. And in order to not disturb their roots, make sure to dig the soil to a 6-inch depth, space these seeds from ½ to 1 inch deep in the soil & an inch apart, and finally gently firm the soil.
For the best regular harvest in the cool weather, you can also keep planting another round of radish seeds every two weeks.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a hardy yet sun-loving, cool-season vegetable. That’s why you can grow it approximately 55 to 85 days before the very first fall frost date so that you can harvest these broad, thick leaves when the average daily temperatures not as excessive as 75°F (23°C).
As this fast-growing crop often thrives in cooler weather (from 45° to 75°F), don’t forget to check the first and last frost dates in your specific location to ensure your veggie’s fullest strength! Generally, a safe bet is often between mid- and late August.
Those living in an area with mild or warm summers and those practicing a few succession gardening can continually get bluish-green heads within the summer and autumn.
Ideally, you should row the seeds a mere ½ deep and 30-60cm (12-24 inches) apart. And since close spacing limits the number of formed side shoots, those planning to plant at least two rows of broccoli should leave 45cm (36 inches) between each row to give them enough space to fully grow.
Spinach
Among the fastest-growing leaf crops, spinach, which can grow well in partial shade & in various different soil types and produce large yields of nutrient-loaded, dark green leaves within roughly 35 days after planting, is the greatest one.
Sow seeds of this popular crop as soon as your soil is properly worked or as early as two weeks prior to the very last frost date.
For example, if you want a hefty harvest in October, you can plant this beginner-gardener-friendly in mid-August.
For proper germination, you should not grow this satisfying cool-weather crop in the soil as warm as 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21 degrees Celsius).
Those living in an area with mild winters also can plant in the fall. However, they have to wait until the temperature of the soil reaches 40 degrees Fahrenheit (5 degrees Celsius) and use a thick mulch to protect the young plants through the cold months.
Loosening the soil at the depth of at least 1 foot is not a bad idea.
Onions
When it comes to colder weather, onions will struggle to thrive, which makes this cold-season crop ideal for the late summer planting season. From heavy clay to sandy loams, this versatile vegetable can grow in almost any types of soil but the soil should be well-drained, firm, nitrogen-rich, and moist.
Thus, expect to plant onions in a spot that receives a decent amount of sunlight so that they are not shaded by other plants. And to retain moisture properties, be sure to check the soil one day before sowing seeds and provide dry soil with enough water.
Though you can grow one short row or two of onions in big-sized, deep raised beds or containers at least 4 inches high, you can get larger bulbs if growing them in the open ground.
Lettuce
Farmers who want to get as much as possible out of every month of their summer gardening season love growing this salad staple. Lettuce is a quick-growing variety but these crisp salad greens thrive in cool weather.
Therefore, to get a bountiful supply of this old food plant known to man, you can grow it into the autumn season. Plan to plant autumn lettuce in late summer so that it can reach its maturity when the cool fall air comes. However, so as to prevent summer plant bolting, stop planting 30 days before it reaches the terrible summer heat.
Lettuce of any types germinates and grows best when the surrounding soil keeps constantly moist but not soggy, and the outside temperature ranges from 45 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 24 degrees Celsius). And healthy mature plants can even yield good crops in the temperature as low as 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-3.8 degrees Celsius).
For an extended harvest, you can plant this type of easy-to-grow annual vegetable in succession planting, about two weeks in between.
Conclusion
Instead of getting afraid it is too late to grow vegetables in late summer, why don’t you prepare to attain great results with some of the best late summer vegetables to plant?
I’m James J. Decker, a hobbyist and DIYs and also a big of home improvement and gardening tools. I immensely enjoy how these amazing products improve productivity and efficiency, and allow me to do jobs for which I would’ve otherwise needed professional help.
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