My Summer Garden: The Heat Killed 3 Things
Summer garden review. The heat killed 3 crops. The rest thrived. Here’s what happened.
What Thrived
- Cherry tomatoes: 47 fruits and counting.
- Peppers: Slow start, then productive.
- Basil: Continuous harvest.
- Zucchini: Too productive.
- Okra: Loved the heat.
What Died
- Lettuce: Bolted in June.
- Spinach: Bolted in May.
- Cilantro: Bolted in 3 weeks.
What I Learned
- Summer is for heat-lovers. Tomatoes, peppers, okra.
- Cool-season crops don’t stand a chance. Plant in spring or fall.
- Shade cloth helps. 30% shade extends lettuce by 2 weeks.
- Water is critical. Daily in July.
What I’ll Do Differently Next Summer
- Skip lettuce and spinach.
- Plant more okra.
- Use shade cloth from June.