Looking for some easy-to-grow vegetables for your garden this summer? There are lots of varieties that take little effort to grow right here in Ontario. Below, you’ll find 5 of our favourite vegetables that you can plant right now in the hot weather and enjoy a bounty full of produce throughout the summer and fall seasons.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes love the heat and grow exceptionally well during this time of year. They will require around 100 days to reach full maturity, so you should aim to plant them in June or July to enjoy ripe juicy red tomatoes later in the season. What type of tomatoes do best in Ontario? Heirlooms like Beefsteak, Brandywine, and Old Germans. Cherry tomatoes also do well here and are the easiest tomatoes to grow for beginners.
Cucumbers
Cucumbers are super easy to grow at home. They love hot weather, grow fast, and don’t need a ton of care. If you’re planting vine cucumbers, create a tent-shaped trellis to give it the support it needs to grow into a good-sized crop. Cucumbers also need consistent and adequate amounts of water, otherwise, you’ll grow oddly shaped fruit that lacks taste.
Eggplants
Eggplants love full sun and do well in high temperatures. They actually will grow faster in 21 to 30 degree Celsius temperatures, making them a great vegetable to plant in your garden here in Ontario. They will grow several feet high and become pretty heavy, so it’s best if you give them some support using stakes or a trellis.
Peppers
Peppers can be transplanted to your garden in June through July. Similar to tomatoes, they take upwards of 100 days to grow into large ripe bells, but you can always pick them early if you like the size and colour of the fruit. Just remember, the longer you leave the fruit the more vitamins they will accumulate.
Lettuce
You can still sow lettuce and baby greens now. The heat and moisture will help them to continuously grow so that you can have enough lettuce to enjoy on your sandwiches and in your salads in August through till September.
Buying the vegetables to plant is just one step to having a lush and bountiful garden. If you need help designing a garden that will work with your landscape design, we can help. Our team at Hansen Lawn and Gardens can assist you in designing the most beautiful outdoor living space and garden. Contact us today!