Best Hot Weather Plants

Here in the Wilmington, NC area we have long, hot, humid summers. While some gardeners like to take a break during the hottest months of the year, and instead focus on growing during the spring and fall “shoulder” seasons that provide great productivity, there are a few plants that will not only grow, but thrive during our hottest months.

Okra flowering

Okra

Originally from Africa, this heat-loving crop won’t take off until the temps get really hot in the summer. Direct-sowing in the garden is usually fine, and be aware that these plants get big, so respect the need to space them at least 18 inches apart. Okra needs to be harvested young, as the pods will get tough if they are left on the plant too long. Japanese beetles can be an issue, but if you companion plant with Zinnias, the beetles will go for them first and you can get rid of the beetles easily.

Eggplant

Eggplant is best started from seed with your Tomatoes and Peppers in the early spring. The plants don’t like frost, but once the weather warms up they will start growing and provide lots of eggplants during the mid to late summer period. Flea beetles can be an issue, but if you plant some radishes or turnips nearby, the beetles will go for their leaves instead and you can get rid of them with some soapy water spray.

Most Herbs

Lots of herbs thrive in all seasons here - like the Thyme shown above, and Oregano, Chives, and Rosemary. These herbs love the hot weather and will continue producing for you year-round. It’s important to remember to keep these long-lived herbs pruned (use what you prune! ) and feed them monthly so they will continue to grow and thrive.

Sweet Potatoes

Sweet potatoes are grown from slips that you can easily start from a sweet potato saved from your last crop (or purchased - be sure to get organic). Once the weather warms up, these beautiful vining plants will climb over a trellis, fence, or all over the path if you let them. After growing for about four months, you can dig up the tubers , cure them for a few days and store them for months.

Peppers

Peppers love hot weather, and will really take off once the temps get above 85 degrees. Their growth can be slowed if they are exposed to cool weather, so don’t rush to get them in the garden in the spring. They need lots of sun and consistent feeding, and a dose of bone meal when they are flowering can really help them produce. Most peppers are green when they are young and change color when they are fully mature, but they are good to pick and eat at any stage of maturity.

As you can see, the hot summer season here in Wilmington, NC is not the “off season” that many people think, but an opportunity for us to grow crops that other climates may struggle with. As with everything in gardening, it’s all about timing, and if you plant the right plants at the right time, you will have a much better chance of having a thriving year-round garden here in our beautiful climate.

If you’re ready to get your garden growing with the help of an experienced gardening coach, check out our services to get started.