Vegetables to Grow in Summer

Vegetables hold a significant place in the Indian thali, prized for their delectable flavors and abundant nutritional benefits. With their early maturation in comparison to staple crops such as wheat, paddy, and maize, there is a growing trend among farmers to prioritize the cultivation of vegetable crops. In a concerted effort to promote horticultural endeavors across various states, the government is offering subsidies to encourage farmers to engage in vegetable cultivation. For those considering venturing into vegetable farming to maximize profits, this post serves as a valuable resource, offering insights into the variety of vegetables to grow in summer season in India.

Best Vegetables to Grow in Summer

• Bottle Gourd - For optimal yield during the summer season, the ideal time for sowing bottle gourd seeds is from January to March. This period ensures that the crop matures effectively, benefiting from the hot and humid climate of the season. Bottle gourd plants thrive in temperatures ranging between 32°C to 38°C, fostering their proper growth. Moreover, selecting the right soil type is crucial for successful cultivation; sandy loam soil and clayey soil enriched with organic matter offer the most conducive environment for bottle gourd plants to flourish. It is essential to maintain the pH level of the soil between 6 to 7 for a good yield. To prepare the field for cultivation, it is recommended to plow the land thoroughly, preferably 2 to 3 times, to ensure proper aeration and soil structure. Before planting, apply a balanced fertilizer mixture consisting of 70 kg NPK 10:26:26, along with 25 kg urea, 12 kg sulfur, and 4 kg of DeHaat Starter per acre of land as a basal dose. Selecting the right variety is crucial for successful cultivation; therefore, consider choosing from varieties such as 'DeHaat DHS 2200', 'DeHaat DHS 2202', and 'DeHaat DHS 2210' to achieve optimal yield and quality of bottle gourd. There are also other options including Iris Hybrid F1 Gourd, Sarpan F1 Hybrid Gourd-55, Iris Round Mumtaz F1 Gourd, Gentex Shubhangi (RST 1103), Team Seeds Laddu F1 Hybrid, Iris Jhankar F1 Gourd, Shine Brand Julie F1 Gourd, Iris Hazari 04 F1 Gourd, and more. Each variety offers unique qualities to suit various preferences and agricultural needs. For optimal growth, allocate 300-350 gm of seeds per acre of field, cultivating them in well-prepared beds. Maintain a row-to-row distance of 6 ft to ensure proper ventilation and access. Additionally, space the plants approximately 2.5 feet apart within rows to facilitate healthy development and maximize yield potential. In summer season, irrigate at an interval of 3 to 4 days. Do not allow water logging situations to arise in the field. To control weeds, do weeding as needed. Harvesting of fruits may vary according to their varieties, region, climate, etc. Generally, the first harvesting of fruits can be done 50-65 days after the sowing of bottle gourd.
• Okra - For a good yield of okra, sandy to clayey soil rich in organic elements is suitable for its cultivation. The pH level of the soil should be between 6.0 to 6.5. 3 to 6 kg of seeds is required per acre of field. Before sowing, soak the seeds in water for 24 hours to make the germination easier. For a better yield of okra crops, you can select some of the best varieties provided by DeHaat. Some of the varieties are DeHaat DHS 1195, DeHaat DHS 1197, and DeHaat DS Harika Super. Apart from this, you can also choose varieties like Syngenta- OH 102, Namdhari- NS 862 Bhindi, Shine- Aditi Super F1 Hybrid, Iris- Shivani F1 Okra, etc. To prepare the field, plow it 3-4 times followed by leveling the soil, and making it friable. While preparing the field, mix 100 quintals of cow dung manure per acre of field. Ensure to sow okra seeds in rows within the field. Keep a distance of 18 inches between all rows. There should be a distance of about 6-8 inches between plants. Carry out light irrigation immediately after sowing the seeds. Post this, carry out irrigation based on the moisture present in the soil. Addressing the weed problem is also necessary. Carrying out the weeding process can help mitigate this problem. Execute the first weeding 20-25 days after sowing and the second weeding process after 40-45 days of sowing. Delays in harvesting of fruits can lead to the formation of fiber in them. The first harvesting of fruits can be done about 50 to 60 days after the sowing of okra. Harvest the fruits in the morning or evening.
• Cucumber: Sow cucumber in the month of February-March to harvest in the summer season. It can be cultivated in different types of soils ranging from sandy loam soil to heavy soil. For better yield, choose loamy soil rich in organic elements. The pH level of the soil should be between 6 to 7. Generally, about 300-350 gm of seeds are required per acre of field. To achieve optimal yields of cucumbers, consider selecting from a range of high-quality hybrid varieties such as Shine- Wonder Strike F1, Iris- Dawat F1, VNR- Kumud F1, Namdhari- NS 404, Urja- Master F1 Hybrid, Syngenta- Kafka, Seminis- Malini, Shine- Wonder Strike F1, Iris- Indra F1 Hybrid, VNR- CU2, and Seminis- Padmini. Each of these varieties has been developed to offer superior performance and produce top-quality cucumbers, ensuring a successful harvest. In order to prepare the field, plow 3-4 times. After plowing, make the soil of the field flat and friable. While preparing the field, mix 100 quintals of cow dung manure per acre of field. At the time of the last plowing of the field, use 4 kg of DeHaat Starter along with 90 kg Urea, 125 kg Single Super Phosphate (SSP), and 35 kg Muriate of Potash (MOP) per acre of field.  During summer season, irrigate at an interval of every 2 to 3 days. While irrigating, take special care to avoid water-logging situations in the field. Control weeds by carrying out the first weeding in 20-25 days after sowing and the second weeding after 40-45 days of sowing. Cucumber crops are more prone to diseases and insects like fruit flies, pumpkin red bugs, leaf miners, cucumber mosaic virus disease, and powdery mildew disease. Use appropriate pesticides to control these. The first harvesting of fruits can be done after 45 to 60 days of sowing of cucumber.
• Brinjal: Sow the brinjal seeds in the month of January-February to obtain harvest in the summer season. For its better yield, fertile sandy loam soil with good drainage is suitable. The pH level of the soil should be 5.5 to 6.6. 80-100 gm of seeds are required per acre of field. By sowing the DeHaat DHS 4119 variety of brinjal seeds, you can get a better and healthier yield. Apart from this, you can also choose varieties like VNR 212, VNR Poonam, Iris Vinayak F1 Brinjal, Shine Brand Hybrid Opal F1 Brinjal, Sarpan F1 Hybrid Brinjal, etc. While preparing the field, first plow it thoroughly 4 to 5 times. Avoid water logging in the field as this can increase the possibility of fungal diseases. Therefore ensure proper arrangements for drainage in the field. Use 55 kg Urea, 155 kg Single Super Phosphate (SSP), and 20 kg Muriate of Potash (MOP) per acre of field. In order to get a good yield, you can use 4 kg of DeHaat Starter per acre of field while preparing the field. In summer season, irrigate at an interval of 2-3 days. After sowing, carry out the first weeding after 20 to 25 days. In the brinjal crops, there is a high incidence of pests and diseases like fruit borer, white fly, top borer, mealybug, blight, collar rot, root rot, etc. Brinjal fruits are harvested about 50 to 70 days after planting the plants.

In addition to these vegetables, you can also cultivate a variety of crops during the summer season such as ridge gourd, bitter gourd, cucumber, pointed gourd, tomato, guar pod, beans, and more. These vegetables are in high demand during the summer months, enabling farmers to achieve lucrative profits from the markets.

Which crops do you cultivate in the summer season and how much profit do you get from it? Tell us your answers and experiences through comments. For agriculture-related information, you can also consult agri-experts by contacting DeHaat's toll-free number 1800-1036-110. Also, don't forget to like and comment on this post. For more such information, follow the 'Horticulture' channel now.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q: Which vegetables are grown in summer?

A: In the summer season, vegetables like cucumber, okra, bottle gourd, white onion, green chilli, pumpkin, bitter gourd, beans, brinjal, cucumber, ridge gourd, tomato, can be cultivated.

Q: Which vegetable matures the earliest?

A: Spinach, coriander, fenugreek, radish, etc. are included are the vegetables that get ready quickly. These vegetables mature in 3 to 5 weeks. But keep in mind that they are cultivated mainly in the cold season.

Q: Which vegetables are best to grow in pots?

A: You can easily grow some of the vegetables at home. You can plant vegetables like chilli, tomato, brinjal, onion, cabbage, spinach, coriander, pudina, fenugreek, capsicum, bottle gourd, ridge gourd, and pumpkin in the kitchen garden. The special thing is that you can grow these vegetables very easily in pots also.