Why it matters: Summer is prime gardening season – and growing your own food is easier (and more rewarding) than you think. A home garden adds flavor, freshness, and savings right in your backyard.
Start smart:
Check the sun. Most summer crops love full sun – rearrange your layout if needed.
Blend beauty + function. Raised beds keep your yard neat and your back happy.
Limited space? Try container gardens on your patio or deck.
Once you’ve got your layout, plant these easy summer favorites:
1. Cucumbers
Heat-loving and refreshing. Packed with vitamin C and fiber – perfect for salads or poolside snacks. Try Lemon, Boston Pickling, or Armenian varieties.
2. Peppers
Need long, warm days. From sweet bells to spicy habaneros, they add color to your garden and kick to your meals.
3. Tomatoes
The taste of summer. Soak up the sun and enjoy them fresh off the vine. Try Roma, Cherry, or Heirloom varieties.
4. Basil
Loves heat and pairs perfectly with tomatoes. Grows well in beds or containers – try sweet, spicy globe, or Thai basil for variety.
5. Strawberries
Sun seekers that thrive anywhere – garden beds, pots, or hanging baskets. The more sun, the more berries.
The bottom line: With just a few plants and some sunshine, your new home can produce a garden full of fresh flavor all summer long. Why buy produce when you can grow it yourself?
Start small, plant what you love, and enjoy the taste of homegrown summer.
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Julie Gordey
A lifelong educator, Julie Gordey, is a retired school administrator. After years of focusing on education, this University of Texas graduate now travels and enjoys freelance writing for BDX and NewHomeSource.com.