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Best 26 Vegetables to Plant in Summer in India

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As summer brings various health problems like dehydration, vitamin deficiencies, and skin allergies, seasonal vegetables become more critical. Additionally, it keeps health problems at bay and keeps your body feeling its best during the hottest part of the year. Hence, you no longer need cold drinks to cool you off. Growing vegetables is a popular summer activity.

You can grow these vegetables in your kitchen garden by increasing soil temperature and exposing them to intense sun. In India, summers average 38 degrees Celsius and have the longest days and the shortest nights. The season lasts for about three months, from March to May. Despite the high temperatures, which cause dehydration, and other health issues, it’s perfect for growing various vegetables.

Grow gourds, brinjal/eggplant, and tomato, among other summer vegetables, to make your garden thrive. These vegetables thrive in direct sunlight for 6-7 hours per day. Even though these vegetables enjoy sunlight, but not to this degree, make sure to use a green net that allows only 50% of light to pass through. In comparison with other times of the year, it requires more water. Most water evaporates in such hot conditions, so plants require more water. You will need the following:

  • Fertilizing soil before planting
  • seedlings
  • inside Grow Bags (30 cm)
  • Watering Can
  • Pesticide
  • Gardening Tools (gloves, scissors, weed puller)

Best 26 Vegetables to Plant in Summer in India

Tomatoes

Fresh homegrown tomatoes have an unbeatable taste. Despite this, these popular vegetables require several months of warm weather for a bountiful harvest. For tomatoes to thrive, rich soil and fertilizer are essential. Plant in a location that receives full sun, regular water, and supplemental fertilizer to maximize yield. Transplant plants outside only when nighttime temperatures are at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit. To support fruits, plants need trellising, caging, or staking.

In case you missed it: Nutritional Deficiencies in Tomato Crop: How to Fix, Solutions, and Treatment

Best 26 Vegetables to Plant in Summer in India: Tomatoes

Chilli

India’s cuisine cannot exist without this essential ingredient. You can, however, obtain the seeds from dried red chilies—mix cocopeat, compost, and perlite (or tiny pieces of thermocouple) equally. The potting mix must be soaked in water overnight in a small pot. The next day, you should cover each chili seed with mulch/hay after gently pressing it into soft soil. Water each seed daily until it germinates into a sapling. Once the saplings have left, move them to a bigger pot with a height of at least 20 inches. Water your plants daily until they bloom. After they flower, water less frequently. Pick fresh chilies when they are ripe. 

Eggplant

When planted during the summer heat, this delicious vegetable grows prolifically. Utilize heat-enhancing methods, such as black plastic mulch, to warm the soil and speed the growth of plants. Water regularly and expose the plants to as much sunlight as possible. For a tasty side dish, brush eggplant slices with olive oil and grill them on the barbecue while they are young.

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Eggplant Farming

Greens 

Salad greens are a great weather crop, but there are still ways to enjoy fresh greens throughout the summer in India. First, choose the best varieties that grow well in heat, such as Malabar spinach and New Zealand spinach. The heat and cold tolerance of mustard, collards, and Swiss chard is similar.

With enough shade and water, you can cultivate lettuce even in the heat of summer. Ensure that lettuce leaves are young and reseed every two weeks. When soil temperatures exceed 80-85 degrees F, germination rates drop. You can find heat-resistant lettuce varieties such as ‘Jericho,’ ‘Red Sails,’ and ‘Buttercrunch.’

Okra

In Southern cuisine, okra thickens soups, stews, and Creole gumbos. This vegetable thrives in warmer regions despite its extreme heat and drought tolerance. Within 50-60 days of germination, edible seed pods are produced. Suppose the soil temperature reaches 65 to 70 degrees F, direct-sow seeds outdoors in rich, well-draining soil. Despite being drought-tolerant, okra yields best when it receives regular water—Harvest pods soon after flowering if you want the best texture and productivity.

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Okra Farming

Peas

Although peas are usually a cool-weather crop, but they can be grown mid-to-late summer for a fall harvest. You can subtract the days to maturity listed on the seed packet from your average first frost date and allow an extra week for germination. Water the seeds overnight to speed germination. Mulch the soil with organic matter to help reduce soil temperatures and shade newly planted seedlings from the sun. Make sure plants receive ample water to grow flowers and pods.

Sweet Potatoes

Beta-carotene, vitamin A, vitamin C, fiber, and trace minerals are found in this nutrient-dense vegetable. In contrast to regular potatoes, this tuberous vegetable needs heat for several months to thrive. Plant tuber slips in a sunny, well-draining site when the soil temperature reaches 60°F. Keep the soil evenly moist with 1 inch of water a week. Stop watering the plants two to three weeks before harvest when the foliage turns yellow.

In case you missed it: How to Start Sweet Potato Farming in Asia: A Guide of Cultivation for Beginners

Sweet Potatoes

Corn

Sweet corn is a favorite treat at barbecues and picnics, and it’s a quintessential summer crop. Plant this fast-growing vegetable in squares or multiple rows to ensure successful cross-pollination. Eat, freeze, or preserve it before it ripens for maximum flavor. Try grilling fresh ears and topping them with aioli, pesto, mayonnaise, or fresh herbs for a unique twist.

Beans

Beans are among the best sources of vegetative protein and one of the most nutritious foods. Many beans grow beside the ever-popular green bean, including black, pinto, lima, and fava. When the soil temperature is 60°F and the air temperature is 65 to 85°F, direct sow seeds outdoors. Pole beans can be harvested from mid-summer to the end of the season. On the other hand, Bush varieties can be sown every few weeks for a continuous harvest. Make the most of your space by utilizing trellises and containers.

Summer Squash

The heat-loving vegetables do not store well and are best eaten fresh. Zucchini types include green and yellow zucchini, crooknecks, straight necks, pattypans, and breezes. Make sure the site is sunny and rich, with well-draining soil when temperatures reach 70°F and plant seeds in rows or hills. Give plants a weekly watering of 1 to 2 inches. Give plants a weekly watering of 1 to 2 inches—water plants weekly with 1 to 2 inches of water. Use drip irrigation to reduce the risk of foliar diseases. The male flowers are followed by the female flowers that bear fruit.

Cucumber

Adding these crunchy heat lovers to salads, snacking on them, or pickling them, is a favorite. It would help if you directed sow seeds only when the soil has warmed to 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit. You can train these plants on a fence or trellis or give them plenty of room to spread. Regularly give plants plenty of water to keep fruits from becoming bitter or misshapen. Increase fruit production by harvesting frequently.

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Cucumber Farming

Peppers

Hundreds of these warm-weather vegetable varieties exist, ranging from mild to scorching hot. They must be started indoors or bought as nursery starts since they grow slowly—plant outdoors when the nighttime temperature is consistently 60 degrees F or higher. Sunlight and rich, well-draining soil are ideal for peppers. When planting, add an all-purpose fertilizer designed for vegetables to the soil and keep plants evenly moist. Fruit-bearing plants will require staking and caging to prevent them from bending over.

Bottle Gourd

Lauki, or bottle gourd, is known for restoring the body’s functions by creating a cooling effect. The high-water content of this calming vegetable helps digestion and reduces acidity. Additionally, its moisture content quenches thirst efficiently, keeping the body refreshed during the summer. Another benefit of the juice is that it is an excellent diuretic, which leads to increased urine production, which further helps detoxify the body.

White Onions

In addition to improving body strength and stability, white onions have a miraculous anti-aging effect on our bodies. Consuming white onions regularly improves digestion and treats bleeding disorders such as nasal bleeding and bleeding piles. It also relaxes your mind and calms you despite the scorching heat.

Carrots

Besides being a staple and a vital root vegetable, carrots are also famous worldwide. Carrots are available all year long and can be found at reasonable prices. A delicious vegetable loaded with essential nutrients, broccoli is best consumed raw, roasted, stir-fried, or even in juice.

Spinach 

It is a superfood with tons of nutrients packed in a low-calorie package, making it one of the healthiest greens. It nourishes skin, hair, and bones. In addition, spinach is rich in alpha-lipoic acid, an antioxidant that has been shown to lower blood glucose levels. Additionally, spinach is a good source of beta-carotene, which lowers the risk of asthma development.

In case you missed it: Growing Spinach Organically in Telangana: Cultivation Practices and Production Guide

Spinach 

Cowpeas 

Cowpeas, also known as Lobia, are black-eyed beans with an oval structure. Cowpeas contain vitamins and minerals: A, B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, C, folic acid, potassium, magnesium, calcium, selenium, sodium, zinc, copper, and phosphorus. Several health benefits are associated with them. Here are a few of them:

  • Blood Cholesterol Improved
  • Free Radicals are omitted
  • It helps you lose weight
  • Delay of signs of aging

Sponge Gourd

The spongy inner flesh of this squash-like fruit is encased in a crunchy outer skin. As a result, sugar levels are controlled, and weight is lost due to its Vitamin C content. Give this vegetable sunlight and water, rewarding you with the best harvest.

Capsicum

Warm weather activates the fruiting process in capsicum. Potted plants can be grown in sunny spots in the veggie patch. Although Capsicums can get sunburned, use shade cloth or move them to part shade if they’re in pots during the hottest summer days. Pick them young when the fruit isn’t stung by insects like fruit flies. 

Lettuce

Homegrown lettuce has higher nutritional value and superior flavor than store-bought lettuce. Whether sown in the ground or containers, they increase and mature after three to four weeks.

Radish

You can grow radishes quickly, and they have great taste. The fruit matures in about 3-5 weeks and is ready to be harvested. One of the fastest-growing varieties is Cherry Belle.

Fenugreek

The pungent aroma and bitter flavor of Fenugreek make it beloved by many. It is a healthy plant and matures within three to four weeks of planting the seeds. It is important to use wide containers with holes to allow drainage for better growth.

Arugula

The leaves of this fast-growing veggie are aromatic and have a tangy flavor. Terraces are ideal for growing arugula. After planting the seeds in containers or on your balcony, you can enjoy the harvest after about 5-6 weeks.

Beet

You can also opt for beets if you look for vegetables that proliferate. The leaves and roots of this plant are edible and ready to harvest after 3-4 weeks. When you enjoy homegrown beets in smoothies, they taste best.

Kale

Usually, the summer months are the best time for growing kale since it is a super nutrient-dense vegetable—most people like it as a salad ingredient. Kale is rich in fiber, minerals, and antioxidants and is most commonly found in baby, dinosaur, and Winter-born varieties.

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Kale Farming

Tinda

Another healthy vegetable that grows well in summer in India is Tinda, which loves sunlight. In addition, India savors tienda curry, which is relatively easy to grow and maintain. It keeps our bodies cool during hot weather and is essential for our health.

Tips for Vegetable Planting in Summer in India 

Expand Regionally

Your local climate will determine the type of plant you should pick. Select varieties that mature faster if your growing season is short. In hotter climates, select varieties that can withstand heat.

Mulch

Around plants, apply a layer of compost or other organic matter 1 to 2 inches thick. Conserving water, suppressing weeds, and cooling soil temperatures benefit from this technique.

Watering

Avoid foliar diseases by irrigating plants in the morning to reduce evaporation. Water is conserved by drip irrigation, and disease is reduced by overhead watering. During fruit formation, it is essential to water adequately.

Create Shade

Partially shaded crops, such as greens, peas, broccoli, cauliflower, and beets, are particularly beneficial during the hottest day. Choose a site where the sun will be less hot in the afternoon, or use a shade cloth.

Grow Successively

For continuous harvest throughout the summer, resow crops like bush beans, beets, and lettuce every two weeks. Then, in late summer or early fall, begin planting fall crops.

When to Harvest?

It is best to pick crops early in the morning or late at night. Vegetables harvested during the daytime will remain crisper, fresher, and more flavorful than those harvested during the more excellent hours.

Commonly Asked Questions About Vegetables to Plant in Summer in India

In India, What Vegetables Grow in 45 Days During Summer?

A cool-season crop, spinach, can be harvested after 4-6 leaves and matures in 45 days. Once it becomes too warm, your spinach will flower and bolt. Try Bloomsdale Spinach if you live in a cooler climate or New Zealand Spinach in a hotter climate.

Which Vegetables Grow Faster in India During Summer?

  • Carrots
  • Tomatoes
  • Radish
  • Fenugreek
  • Kale
  • Beet 

What Vegetables can be Grown at Home During the Summer in India?

CorianderMint
ChiliBitter gourd
SpinachCucumber
BrinjalTomato

Is It Possible to Grow Vegetables in India During the Summer?

A vegetable garden is at its best during summer when the growing season. However, some vegetables like broccoli, spinach, and cauliflower prefer spring and fall cool temperatures. Others include tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers that need hotter temperatures.

What is the Best Time to Plant Summer Vegetables In India?

Plant warm-season vegetables in the garden after the last frost date in your area. After this date, the threat of frost has passed in your area. The soil should also be warm enough for seeds to germinate or grow.

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Author: Jagdish

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