5 Easy Things to Plant This Summer for a Quick and Rewarding Harvest

Think you missed your chance to plant a garden this year? Think again! While spring gets most of the gardening attention, summer offers plenty of opportunities to grow fast-producing vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Whether you’re working with a backyard garden, raised beds, or containers on a patio, these easy-to-grow plants thrive in warm weather and can provide a harvest before fall arrives.

1. Bush Beans

Bush beans are one of the easiest vegetables for beginner gardeners. They germinate quickly in warm soil and produce abundant harvests in as little as 50 to 60 days.

Why they’re great for summer planting:

• Love warm temperatures
• Grow quickly
• Require little maintenance
• Produce heavily over several weeks

Plant seeds directly in the garden and keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings emerge.

2. Cucumbers

Few crops embody summer quite like fresh cucumbers. Fast-growing and productive, cucumbers thrive when planted in the heat of summer.

Growing tips:

• Plant in full sun
• Provide a trellis to save space and improve airflow
• Water regularly to prevent bitter fruit

Many varieties begin producing within 50 to 70 days, making them a great mid-season addition.

3. Basil

Basil is a warm-weather herb that practically explodes with growth during the summer months. It’s perfect for containers, raised beds, or tucked among vegetable plants.

Why gardeners love basil:

• Fast-growing
• Ideal for beginners
• Perfect for homemade pesto, salads, and sauces
• Helps attract pollinators

Pinch off flower buds as they appear to encourage more leafy growth.

4. Zucchini

If you’re looking for a vegetable that offers big rewards with minimal effort, zucchini is hard to beat. Just one or two plants can provide an impressive harvest.

Success secrets:

• Plant in rich, well-draining soil
• Give plants plenty of room
• Harvest fruits when they’re young and tender

Most zucchini varieties begin producing within 45 to 60 days.

5. sunflowers

Not all summer planting has to be edible. Sunflowers are among the easiest flowers to grow and add dramatic beauty to any landscape.

Benefits of planting sunflowers:

• Attract bees, butterflies, and birds
• Tolerate heat and drought
• Create stunning cut flowers
• Produce seeds for wildlife or snacking

Sow seeds directly into the soil and watch them shoot skyward in just a few weeks.

Summer Planting Success Tips

To help your summer garden thrive:

• Water deeply during hot, dry periods.
• Add a layer of mulch to help retain moisture.
• Plant in the cooler morning or evening hours.
• Choose varieties with shorter “days to maturity” if you’re planting later in the season.

Don’t Let Summer Pass You By

Even if spring planting season has come and gone, there’s still plenty of time to enjoy a productive garden. These five easy-to-grow plants can provide fresh vegetables, fragrant herbs, and colorful blooms throughout the rest of the growing season. Grab a packet of seeds, head outside, and make the most of summer’s warm weather.