It is another scorcher! However, there are still plenty of planting options this month. If you have not planted monsoon crops yet, now is the time, especially since the rains have started.
If you have planted okra, eggplant, peppers, melons, and squashes, you may be harvesting these this month. You may also still be harvesting the last of the tomatoes. There are mangoes coming into season and an abundance of figs and grapes.
Here are some suggestions on what to plant this month.
Trees
We do not recommend planting any trees this month. Even trees that are tolerant of the heat can still become stressed during transplanting especially when temperatures are this high.
The Veggie Patch
- Amaranth: Direct sow. Amaranth will continue to provide a spinach alternative all summer long. If left to go to seed, the birds will be happy in fall.
- Long beans: Soak overnight, then plant. Fortunately, long beans love the heat. Continue to plant for succession sowing.
- Corn: Soak overnight then direct sow. Plant native varieties that can handle the extreme heat.
- Cow Peas: Soak overnight then direct sow. Another heat lover in the bean family. Leaves and blooms are also edible.
- Eggplant: Transplant seedlings. Eggplant will continue to grow despite the heat.
- Luffa: Direct sow or transplant seedlings Luffa comes into its own during the hot months. They will continue to flower and set fruit while covering fences, walls, and trellises.
- Melons: Direct sow. There is still time to direct sow melons for harvesting before the end of fall.
- Peppers: Transplant from seedlings. While peppers will not set fruit at this time of year, young plants will continue to grow and flower again in September.
- Pumpkin: Direct sow. This is the perfect time to plant pumpkins for harvesting in time for fall and Halloween.
- Summer Squash: Direct sow. Summer squash can still be planted by direct sowing.
- Winter squash: Direct sow. Winter squash can also still be planted for harvesting during the fall.
Roots
- Ginger: Keep under filtered sun.
Flowers and herbs
- Basil: Basil can be continually sown and harvested this month.
- Sunflowers: Continue sowing sunflower seeds to keep summer color going.
- Zinnias: Continue to plant zinnias for summer color.
- Cosmos: Cosmos can also be planted, keep soil evenly moist until germination.
Read our articles on Monsoon planting and also a 3 sisters garden to get more ideas and information. Amend soils with Earth’s Original Organics before planting this season.
Want to know ahead of time what to plant? Get our planting calendars. Find out the best times to direct sow, start seed, and transplant seedlings plus additional information.
