A number of fast-growing summer veggies and herbs can still be planted in July and August. If you have an open spot in your garden due to a lost crop or the end of a spring harvest, there are a few fast growers that you can plant in the heat of the summer.
Many plants need to be re-sown through the season anyway, and still others will produce well into the fall even if you don’t get the seeds in the ground until summer. In fact, some vegetable plants do even better and grow more quickly when you wait until the ground is very warm and crawling with worms.
Here are just a few plants you can still grow before the fall weather sets in.
Beans. Beans love warm, sunny days! Choose snap bush beans if your growing season is short – pole and dry beans take longer to mature. If you’ve already planted beans, consider putting in another crop.
Cucumbers. Cukes grow fast, especially in the warm summer months. You might be amazed at how quickly they explode!
Squash. Many squashes don’t produce until fall anyway, making them a good choice for late spring or summer planting.
Carrots. Carrot seeds can be sown any time from spring through early autumn, as long as you get them in the ground by 10–12 weeks before the first fall frost.
Herbs like basil, marjoram, chives and sage do well when planted in the late spring and summer, and can even thrive indoors throughout the winter.
This list is far from exhaustive. In fact, you might be amazed at what kind of seeds will grow and produce well even if you don’t get around to putting them in your garden until midsummer. Research your garden zone for more specific information about which seeds will do well when you’re ready to plant.