When most people think of gardening the most common assumption is that the activity can only be enjoyed during early to mid-summer, but this simply isn’t the case. In fact, these months can actually be the best time to get your shovel and garden gloves out from the garage. Still feeling skeptical? Well, stick around!
Here I have prepared a list of 5 of the most common summer vegetables you can still plant during late summer.
1. Carrots
The perfect time to plant this vegetable is during July – August. In addition, carrots can also be planted in your garden every 3 weeks. Keep in mind however that if you decide to lay down the seeds in August then they will likely sprout in the fall.
A pro tip: Instead of harvesting leave your carrots in the ground. This way, the top of the carrot will produce a flower and spread seeds during their second year.
Benefits of carrot: Some of the benefits include Vitamin A (which is known to prevent vision loss). In addition, carrots also contain antioxidants which are widely believed to prevent cardiovascular disease and cancers. The beta-carotene in carrots, in particular, reduce one’s chances for lung and colon cancer.
Click on this link for a full guide on how to care for this summer vegetable.
2. Spinach
Depending on the surrounding climate you can even plant spinach during the fall and winter.
A pro tip: To protect the seeds from the harsh nature of winter simply place a thick layer of mulch over them.
Benefits of spinach: Spinach is not only loaded with nutrients but is also a superfood. A vegetable such a spinach can provide important benefits to your skin, hair, and even bone health. Other benefits include overall improvement in blood glucose levels, diabetes, and lowering one’s risk of cancer.
Just to give you an additional overview on spinach, one cup of raw spinach will generally contain the following: 7 calories, 0.86 grams (g) or protein, 30 milligrams (mg) of calcium, 0.81 grams of iron, 24 milligrams (mg) of magnesium, 167 milligrams (mg) of potassium, 2,813 international units (IU) of Vitamin A, and 58 micrograms of folate.
Click on this link for a full guide on how to care for this summer vegetable.
3. Radish
It is important to plant radish in an area where the plant can soak up the sun. In addition, be sure to place the seeds about one inch apart and under the soil. For a good harvest, keeping planting seeds every 2 weeks.
Benefits of radish: These little guys are not only packed with potassium but as well Vitamin C and fiber. In addition, radishes are known to benefit the heart because they anthocyanin (which keeps the heart functioning and pumping properly). Other benefits include the improvement of one’s blood pressure, immune health, metabolism, blood vessel fortification, dry skin, and dehydration.
Click on this link for a full guide on how to care for this summer vegetable.
4. Onion
Not only are onions one of the most ideal summer vegetables, but they are rather strong-willed when it comes to all the tribulations winter brings. Just be sure to plant your onions in an area with lots of sun, nutrient-rich dirt, and space.
Benefits of onion: Onions have multiple benefits including the improvement of one’s overall mortality, diabetes, and heart disease. They are also considered to be among the allium family of vegetables (or, otherwise, a selection of vegetables that have specifically been cultivated over many centuries for characteristic traits, flavor, and medical properties.
Did you know: In Egypt onions were very often worshipped and used in burial rituals.
Click on this link for a full guide on how to care for this summer vegetable.
5. Cauliflower
If you plant your cauliflower in late August or September you can get away with your plant surviving the first frost over. Just be extra gracious of providing your plant an area with exposure to lots of sunlight.
A pro tip: To ensure that your cauliflower will grow efficiently place compost around the seeds when planting. This way, you can be ensured that the plant will absorb more than enough nutrients.
Benefits of cauliflower: This vegetable is a spectacular source for a variety of benefits. Such examples would include cauliflower being a good source of antioxidants (which protect your cells against inflammation), fiber, choline (which plays a key role in one’s brain development), and sulforaphane (which suppress cancer development enzymes).
