Best Things to Grow in a Garden

July 14, 2021
As we approach the final months of summer and the fall and winter months to follow, you might be wondering, what in the world can I plant this time of year?

The best things to grow in a garden produce a lot of food and aren’t too hard to cultivate, even in late summer and fall.  

Not everyone has a green thumb, but even those with a knack for growing plants need some guidance on what they can plant when. As we approach the final months of summer and the fall and winter months to follow, you might be wondering, what in the world can I plant this time of year?

The Best Things to Grow in a Garden

The list of things you can successfully grow in a garden year-round is surprisingly long. While certain crops are a bit more selective about the climate in the upcoming months, you will be by no means limited in your selection. Between the ease of planting them to their ability to start growing right now, the following plants are the best things to grow in a garden as we transition between seasons.

The best things to grow in a garden produce a lot of food and aren’t too hard to cultivate, even in late summer and fall.


Lettuce

Lettuce is a fairly hardy plant that can survive some cold nights and moderate frost. It tends to be more abundant in the fall and even early winter. While it does well in the summer, too, the higher temperatures can contribute to tip burn. Home growers can solve this by simply snipping off the browning edges.

Kale grows into the winter months when it becomes sweeter.


If you are someone who likes some more nutrients in their salad mixes, kale and spinach fair well this time of year as well. Along with cabbage and turnips, kale is a member of the Brassica family that can survive freezing temperatures. Some people even prefer it as it grows into the winter months because it becomes sweeter. As for spinach, if you plant it in August, you can have a harvest by mid-October.

Carrots

Carrots are sweet and versatile treats that are great for everything from light snacks to savory dishes. These nutrient-dense veggies get even sweeter as the temperature starts to drop because they have starches in them that turn to sugars. So start planting them now because they can take two to four months to mature. Between their nourishment and deliciousness, carrots are a garden staple for this time of year.

Carrots are sweet and versatile treats that are great for everything from light snacks to savory dishes.


Okra

Okra is a perennial vegetable that loves the heat. It can grow up to seven feet high and yield a ton of food for you and your loved ones to enjoy. Okra will become more woody and fibrous if it’s left on the plant for too long, so you have to pick it early and often. But considering it reaches maturity in about two months, if you plant it right now, it will get the best of the August and September sun.

Horseradish

Horseradish roots are harvested in the fall and winter. This is a hardy and versatile plant, so it’s no surprise that it does well in various climates.

Not only can you get creative with it in the kitchen, using it as both a spice and condiment, but it also has some medicinal qualities that might help clear your summer sniffles. Not to mention, it’s rich in antioxidants that will help protect your body from free radicals all year round.

Marigolds

Maybe you are more of a flower person than a veggie person, and if so, August is the perfect month to plant some beautiful flowers that will begin blooming in early spring. Some to consider are Marigolds, Alyssum flowers, and Snapdragons.

Marigolds are known for their long-lasting blooms and are one of the best things to grow in a garden.