In the San Joaquin and Central Valley, we are not strangers to heat. Here in Visalia, our summer highs are often around 96 degrees. With this average summer heat, we want to plan and prepare our gardens for surviving the summer battle. Some of us may wonder what the best flowers and vegetables to plant are. We’ve compiled a list of plants and vegetables that love the heat and can be grown from seed.
1. Corn
Summer BBQ’a are never complete without sweet, delicious corn on the cob. Corn comes in many varieties and tastes the best when homegrown. Corn harnesses the power of that amazingly hot summer sun to create those hallmark sweet kernels. You can even grow your own movie night popcorn.
A few varieties:
- Martian Jewel – purple stalks and husks with a sweet flavor
- Glass Gem – a great corn for popping with a rainbow of colors
- Amaize – sweet corn for eating
- Strawberry popcorn – great for popcorn
Corn can be planted usually in April/May here in Visalia, but you can plant it later. Corn will cross-pollinate so be wary of what you plant nearby.
2. Zinnia Flowers
These beautiful annual flowers will attract bees to your garden and increase pollination. They also look pretty in a vase on your table. Zinnia loves the heat and grow quickly. They don’t like moist conditions and will bloom into late Fall.
3. Okra
Okra is either loved or hated, but it loves the heat. Okra seeds should be planted when it warms up. They love the heat and grow quickly. Clemson Spinless is a dependable okra to grow, and it’s got the classic green color and shape.
4. Tomatoes
Some like it hot, well tomatoes do. Tomatoes taste even sweeter with the summer heat. Nothing tastes better than a homegrown tomato.
A few varieties:
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- Thorburn’s Terra Cotta – great for slicing, jammy and meaty
- Lucky Tiger – Floral and fruity, great for sun drying
- Sungold – a delicious cherry tomato
- Cherokee Purple – meaty heirloom
- San Marzano – great for tomato sauce
- Black Krim – an heirloom with anthocyanins and a great flavor
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5. Beans
Beans are easily grown and grow well in the heat. Beans can be grown vertically which saves a lot of space. Grow what you like to eat, and you will have plenty. You can even dry some for storage!
A few varieties:
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- Monte Gusto – yellow pole bean
- Purple King – purple bean that turns green when cooked
- Fortex – a green bean
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6. Basil
Basil is amazing for the kitchen. You can dry it for storage. Basil grows fast and is delicious.
A few varieties:
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- Italian Genovese- great for pesto or drying
- Sweet Thai – great for basil chicken or pho
- Tulsi Holy Basil – great for tea
- Spicy Globe – The leaves are very small and it’s great for pizza with a kick
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7. Sunflowers
Sunflowers are beautiful and attract pollinators. They grow super-fast from seed and love heat.
8. Cosmos
These flowers love the heat and attract pollinators. They are beautiful in a vase as well. They love to drop seeds and come back the next year as well.
9. Melons
Melons are heat loving and even better when grown at home. They need time and consistent water, and they can easily take over.
A few varieties:
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- Orangeglo watermelon – sweet and meaty
- Charntais – Similar to a cantaloupe
- Crimson sweet – Very sweet and easy to grow
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10. Marigold
These flowers are cheery and make great companion plants. They are heat tolerant and deter pests.
A few varieties:
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- Mission giant yellow
- French Marigold
- Lemon and Tangerine Gem
These are just a few of the many heat loving plants and flowers that you can grow. Come on by the nursery and we can help you find what you’re looking for!
