From juicy tomatoes to crisp cucumbers to spicy peppers, ample fresh produce is one of our favorite parts of an Arkansas summer. While you can find many delicious vegetables and fruits at local farmer’s markets, growing your own is by far a more satisfying experience. Whether you live in the city or have a plot of land in the country, you can enjoy the literal fruits of your labor all summer long – you just need to have the right timing. Use the guide below to know when to plant your summer’s bounty.
May
May often sees more rainfall than any other month in the summer gardening season, and the soil is often still damp and cool. Hold off on summer staples that do best in warmer soil, such as corn and beans, and stick to the below fruits and vegetables.
- Asparagus
- Cantaloupe
- Cucumbers
- Eggplants
- Edamame
- Okra
- Peppers
- Pumpkins
- Summer Squash
- Southern Peas
- Sweet Potatoes
- Tomatoes
- Watermelon
June
By June, rain has typically become sparser, leaving the soil much drier and warmer. The below produce performs best in these hot, dry temperatures.
- Collards
- Pole Beans
- Snap Beans
- Summer Squash
- Sweet Corn
- Sweet Potatoes
- Winter Squash
July
Once we enter July, temperatures are consistently high. These harsher conditions allow for only a few specific crops to thrive.
- Collards
- Irish Potatoes
- Southern Peas
- Summer Squash
- Sweet Corn
- Tomatoes
- Winter Squash
August
Though we still experience some of our hottest temperatures in August, the promise of cooler weather and increased rainfall allows for a wider range of produce to be planted.
- Cabbage plants
- Carrots
- Collards
- Cucumbers
- Beans
- Broccoli
- Kale
- Lima Beans
- Mustard
- Southern Peas
- Summer Squash
- Swiss Chard
- Turnips
Planting, caring for and harvesting your own fruits and vegetables is a rewarding experience, as well as a fun way to incorporate more fresh produce in your diet. Get more tips on how you can eat well and live a healthier, more amazing life all year long.