Hey everyone! I'm new to having an in-ground garden and this spring brought an unexpected amount of rain. Now, my plants are stunted, struggling with shallow roots in this dry summer heat. Currently, I have tomatoes, peppers, cucumbers, carrots, onions, peas, and a few others. I'm looking to replant some things for a late summer or early fall harvest. What do you suggest I should plant now?
3 Answers
You can’t change the rain, but using shade cloth and mulch could help salvage some of your existing plants. For late plantings, sweet potatoes, beans, and melons could be good, though they take about 90-100 days to mature. Keep an eye on the weather to help your garden recover!
First, check when your area typically experiences the first frost, as this will help you choose the right vegetables that will mature just in time. For instance, I planted cucumbers recently, as my first frost date is October 10, and they should be ready before then. Late summer is also ideal for carrots and peas since they love cool weather. When it comes to tomatoes, consider quick-growing varieties like Early Girl if you're hoping for a late harvest, but peppers might be iffy this late in the season.
Make sure to check the seed packets for grow dates! There are some fast varieties of tomatoes, peppers, corn, and even eggplants that can work within 50-65 days. Beans and herbs are also great options for a quick yield, along with some greens or radishes for something faster. Additionally, if you want to grow cold-tolerant crops like broccoli or cauliflower, starting seeds indoors now might be a smart way to get them out by late July or August.
If your first frost is early November, you might have time for pumpkins too—just make sure to get them in soon for Halloween! I’d also recommend planting lettuce and spinach in late summer since they thrive in cooler temperatures.