Best fruit and vegies to plant in summer

Water well

In summer’s heat, your vege patch can dry out quickly. Bunnings Greenlife buyer Riely Kerr-Phillips warns regular watering is key. “Do this early in the morning or late in the afternoon, outside of the heat of the day,” she says. “Focus the water on the soil and not on leaves, to help avoid potential diseases.” Irrigation systems set on a timer can maintain a watering routine and help prevent your plants from becoming stressed during dry spells.

Find a friend

Avoid thirsty patches of bare earth by applying mulch to help prevent water evaporation. Gardener, cook and author of cookbook Nostrana, Bri DiMattina also recommends using companion plants. “Try to plant a ‘full’ garden so the sun doesn’t hit the soil directly,” she says. “Companion planting will help fill the gaps – my favourites are ones I like to use together when cooking, such as basil between beans and tomatoes. I call it my Italian planter box.”

Include flowers such as marigold, borage, sunflower and nasturtium in the vege patch to attract pollinating insects, suggests Riely. “Nasturtium can also act as a ‘sacrificial plant’ when grown with lettuces, tomatoes and beans by attracting common pests such as aphids, caterpillars and whitefly, protecting the edible crops,” she says.

Give them a feed

Healthy soil helps to protect plants from stress in hot weather. “In turn, this can minimise how vulnerable plants are to disease, insect infestations and fungus,” says Bri. “Soil is everything – the healthier it is, the stronger the plants will be.” She recommends compost as a wonderful soil improver. “I use sheep pellets from Bunnings – they’re great value, easy to apply and they bring worm life to the whole garden,” says Bri. ‘Heavy feeders’ such as tomatoes and cucumbers require lots of nutrients from the soil, so giving them a dose of liquid seaweed solution or a specialist fertiliser can help keep these plants healthy and productive.

Prep for success

First pull-out pesky weeds then give garden beds a bit of care and attention. “Before planting, add organic material or mulch to increase soil water and nutrient-holding capacity,” advises Riely. “Mulch helps with weed suppression, which is important prior to spring when new weed seeds are germinating.”

Take your pick

Tomatoes can be planted now for crops well into autumn. The vining cherry tomato ‘Sweet 100’ is a prolific fruiter; Bri also loves larger varieties such as ‘Roma’ and ‘Beefsteak’. Plant seedlings when 10cm high in well-draining soil in full sun, stake when young to avoid root damage later and, as the plant grows, remove laterals (side stems). Keep tomatoes well fed and well-watered and protect the fruit with bird-safe netting.

Capsicums and chillies like a sheltered warm spot – next to a brick or concrete wall is ideal. Some varieties die back in winter but take off again in spring. “So one plant can be productive for a few years,” says Bri. “Chillies are heavy feeders and quite prolific – great to dry for winter cooking.” Try ‘Baby Bell’ capsicums (ideal for pots) and ‘Bird’s Eye’ chillies. Pick chillies regularly to keep the plant producing.

Courgettes (zucchini) enjoy full sun and will take over the garden if left unchecked, so train them up a trellis if you’re short on space. They can be susceptible to powdery mildew, especially in humid areas; remove affected leaves to minimise the impact. Harvest only the thin-stemmed male flowers so female flowers continue to produce fruit.

Eggplants (aubergines) love warm temperatures but can be difficult to cultivate in Aotearoa, so a greenhouse is a good option – especially for beginner gardeners. Bri’s suggestion is to grow them in a container or planter box. “They like sunny, warm conditions and will sulk if it’s a rainy summer,” she says.

Lettuce seeds can be sown directly into soil in summer, about 3mm deep. “Loose leaf, non-hearting varieties are great value as you just continually pick the outer leaves and allow the plant to grow,” says Bri. Be aware they may bolt in full summer heat, so find a spot with a bit of shade and keep them well watered.

Have fun with fruit!

If you have space – and patience – try watermelons. The sun-loving vine can spread more than 2m and fruit can take up to 100 days to ripen. They’re cold-sensitive, so wait until the soil temperature is at least 20°C, then plant seedlings in mounds of compost-rich soil and keep well-watered. The fruit is ready if it makes a deep hollow sound when tapped. If your summer growing season is short, try the early maturing, small-fruited ‘Sugar Baby’, which is also a less rampant grower. Bri suggests finding a variety that’s not available in stores when yours will be ready. “This can make the process more rewarding, and you get to try a new fruit,” she says.

Grow something new!

Explore the full range of herbs and vegetables and find your new homegrown favourite.