Warm Season Vegetables and What I’ve Planted So Far This Year

As the temperatures begin to rise and the days get longer, it’s time to start thinking about planting your warm-season vegetables. These are the vegetables that thrive in the heat and sunshine of the summer months, bringing a bounty of fresh, delicious produce to your table.

For my growing zone, which is 8a, there are a few warm-season vegetables that I always make sure to plant. These include Rutger tomatoes, summer squash, okra, pepper, top pick pink eye peas, Chinese eggplant, and several herbs. Of course, the specific vegetables you plant will depend on your personal preferences and the growing conditions in your area.

Rutger tomatoes are a must-have for me every year. These juicy, sweet tomatoes are perfect for slicing up and adding to sandwiches or salads, or for making into a flavorful sauce. They are also quite versatile in terms of growing conditions and can do well in a variety of soils and with varying degrees of sunshine and water. They are too big for the tower below so they go into their own 5 gallon pots.

Garden Tower

Garden Tower 2 – Vertical Planter with composting and water capturing tray.

Garden Tower 2

Summer squash (straight neck or crook neck) is another staple in my garden. This tender, flavorful vegetable is great for cooking up in a stir-fry or grilling on the barbecue. It also grows quite quickly, meaning you can enjoy the fruits of your labor in just a few short weeks.

Okra is a vegetable that many people either love or hate. I happen to be in the former camp, and always make sure to plant a few rows of this spiky, green vegetable. Okra is great for adding to stews or frying up as a snack, and its large, robust leaves provide a natural shade for other plants in the garden.

Peppers come in all shapes, sizes, and levels of spiciness, making them a fun vegetable to experiment with. Whether you prefer sweet bell peppers or spicy jalapenos, there is sure to be a pepper variety that will thrive in your garden. And of course, peppers are not just great for eating fresh – they can also be dried, pickled, or roasted to bring out their full flavor.

Top pick pink eye peas are a Southern favorite and for good reason. These hearty, protein-rich legumes are perfect for adding to salads or stews, or for serving up in a classic dish like Hoppin’ John. They are also quite easy to grow, making them a great choice for beginners. Their compact bush shape makes them easy to grow in raised beds and does not require trellising.

Chinese eggplant is a lesser-known vegetable that I enjoy incorporating into my garden. This slender, purple eggplant is great for grilling or stir-frying, and its mild flavor makes it a versatile ingredient. Plus, it’s quite lovely to look at, with its dark, glossy skin and bright green stem. Try picking them young before the seeds fully form, slice, brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper then grill. Tasty!

Finally, herbs are a must-have in any warm-season garden. Whether you enjoy cooking with basil, cilantro, parsley, rosemary, or thyme, there is sure to be an herb that will thrive in your garden. Herbs are also great for attracting beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which can help pollinate other plants and keep your garden healthy. This year I added chocolate mint and sweet mint to my garden. Since mint will take over if not kept in check I’ve planted them in planters. I’ve also placed them in different areas of the yard so that they do not lose their unique fragrance which can happen if planted together.

This year there is a new addition to our garden, a Garden Tower. So far it is doing good, but the deer have found it several times and I ended up losing a lot of vegetables. To solve the deer problem we added some fencing this week and hopefully, things will perk back up. Over all this planting system will hold up to 50 plants, has a composting chamber, and can be used for vermiculture.

All in all, warm-season vegetables are a delicious and rewarding addition to any garden. By planting a few key varieties each year – like Rutger tomatoes, summer squash, okra, peppers, top pick pink eye peas, Chinese eggplant, and herbs – you can enjoy a summer full of fresh, flavorful produce. Just remember to plant what you love to eat, and what grows well in your growing zone, and you’ll be well on your way to a bountiful harvest.