Summer Survival: 5 Crops to Prioritize in the Hot Season
Gardening in the Southeastern U.S. during the summer is not for the faint of heart. The region’s sweltering heat, sudden and heavy rainstorms, and relentless pest pressure can make even the most enthusiastic gardener consider throwing in the trowel. But while summer gardening presents real challenges, it’s also a season of rapid growth and abundant harvests—if you choose the right crops. Successful summer gardening in this region starts with selecting plants that can take the heat, tolerate the humidity, and grow vigorously enough to outpace pests and diseases.
When planning your kitchen garden for the hot months, it’s essential to think like a survivalist: which crops can thrive under stress? Not all vegetables appreciate the sauna-like conditions of a Southeastern summer, but a handful of hardy and heat-loving varieties will reward you with robust yields. By choosing resilient plants and employing smart strategies—like providing afternoon shade and ensuring consistent watering—you can maintain a thriving garden through the dog days.
One of the summer stars is eggplant. This crop loves the heat and often produces best when other plants are struggling. Choose varieties like ‘Black Beauty’ or the slender Asian types, and be sure to provide ample space and support, as the plants can get top-heavy with fruit. While flea beetles can be a nuisance early on, once the plant is established, eggplant is remarkably drought-tolerant and produces steadily through late summer.
Next on the list is okra, a true Southern staple. This plant not only tolerates heat—it seems to revel in it. Okra grows quickly and produces edible pods within 50 to 60 days. Harvest them young and tender for the best texture. Varieties like ‘Clemson Spineless’ are common, but heirloom types offer beautiful colors and flavors. As a bonus, okra’s tall, foliage can provide shade for plants like arugula (mentioned below) who struggle in the direct summer sun.
Hot peppers are another excellent choice for the summer garden. From jalapeños to cayennes and habaneros, these plants thrive in the sun and tend to be more pest-resistant than sweet varieties. They need consistent watering during fruiting but otherwise require little maintenance. Hot peppers are also incredibly productive—just a few plants can supply a season’s worth of spice for fresh cooking, fermenting, and drying.
For something vertical, pole beans are an efficient way to get a big harvest in a small space. These climbing legumes take off in warm weather and benefit from trellising, which improves airflow and makes harvesting easier. Unlike bush beans, pole beans produce over a longer period, giving you weeks of steady picking. My favorite is Thai Soldier Beans, which produce abundantly and don’t struggle in our heat.
Anything in the melon family (cucumbers, squash, etc.) can be very tricky to grow in a hot and humid climate because they are so susceptible to mold and mildew issues. However, one Asian variety of cucumbers called the yard-long cucumbers can handle our summer climate better than typical slicing types. They produce long, crisp fruits that are ideal for salads or quick pickling. Provide it with a strong trellis and plenty of water and keep up with your leaf pruning practices so the plant has plenty of air flow around it.
Finally, if you’re craving something leafy, arugula is one of the few greens that can make it through summer—if you plant it smartly. Tuck it under larger crops like okra or eggplant where it gets dappled sunlight and stays slightly cooler. You won’t get the tender spring leaves, but the spicy, more intense summer arugula adds bold flavor to any dish.
With the right plant choices and a bit of strategic planning, your summer kitchen garden can be both resilient and abundant. Embrace the heat by planting crops that love it, and you’ll enjoy fresh, homegrown harvests even through the Southeast’s steamiest months.