Top 8 Summer Vegetables in India

April 26, 2017 Rhea Jimmy

Summer is a great season for growing vegetables in your kitchen garden. Vegetable plants that like to grow under full sunshine, enjoy long days and a warmer climate, thrive well in the harsh Indian summer. The good thing about summer vegetables is that the same ones can be continued in monsoon season as well. Depending on your preference and the time you could be willing to put into growing vegetables, here's a list of some great summer vegetables to grow!

• Top Summer Vegetables to Grow in your Kitchen Garden

1. Tomato

Buy Tomato Seeds

A tomato plant with a bunch of red tomatoes on both sides of the main stem makes a lovely sight. Tomato plants loves the clear sky and plenty of sunshine. They can be started any time of the year using tomato seeds.

Spacing: 45-60 cm between plants and 60-75 cm between rows
Seed requirement: 18 g seeds per 25 sq.mt.
Harvesting: 80-100 days

2. Brinjal

Buy Eggplant Vegetable Seeds

Also known as the Eggplant, this is a warm season crop which is rather susceptible to frost. It is often said that consumption of brinjal in summers safeguards children against measles. There are several varieties with different sizes, colors and shapes, and these make for absolutely delicious summer vegetables with various preparation methods.

Spacing: 30-45 cm between plants and 60 cm between rows
Seed requirement: 2-5 g seeds per 10 sq.mt.
Harvesting: 3-4 months

3. Chili

Buy Green Chili Seeds

Looking to grow a spice in your vegetable garden? Chili as a spice is very popular in India and some of the most pungent varieties of chilies are grown in hot summer season? The non-pungent varieties are delicate and susceptible to diseases but the pungent ones are hardier in nature. Growing chili by seeds is how the growing process begins.

Spacing: 30-45 cm apart
Seed requirement: 1 g per 10 sq.mt.
Harvesting: 2- 2.5 months

4. Pumpkin

Buy Red Pumpkin Vegetable Seeds

Pumpkins are cucurbit summer vegetables that grow very well during hot seasons. The size of a pumpkin may vary from 5 kg to 40 kg. Because of the size of fruit, pumpkin climber is allowed to creep on the ground rather than on a trellis.

Spacing: Direct seed sowing in pits of 2 x 2 ft and 6 ft apart. 3 seeds are sown per pit
Seed requirement: 8 g per 10 sq.mt.
Harvesting: After 3-4 months for 8-10 weeks

5. Cucumber

Buy Cucumber Seeds

Cucumber can be grown throughout India in summers. Cucumbers are generally sown in round pits at convenient places to let them trail on the house roofs, pergolas or bowers. These veggie seeds are sown directly into the soil.

Spacing: 3 x 3 ft between plants and rows
Seed requirement: 5 g per 10 sq.mt.
Harvesting: Plant starts giving fruits after 2-3 months for about 4-5 weeks

6. Bottle Gourd

Buy Bottle Gourd Seeds

In India, a bottle gourd creeper trailing over thatched huts in villages with bright glistening white blossoms and tender, smooth, long, light green, cylindrical fruits is an eye-catching sight. This summer vegetable is relatively easy to grow and can be grown from seeds directly.

Spacing: Direct seed sowing in pits 2 x 2 ft and 6 ft apart, 3 seeds in a pit
Seed requirement: 5 g for 10 sq.mt.
Harvesting: After 2 months onwards for about 6 to 8 weeks

7. Lady's Finger/Okra

Buy Okra Seeds

Lady’s Finger or Okra are popularly known to be the ushers of the arrival of summer. Tender forefinger-sized ones, stuffed with spices make a delicious dish! Seed sowing for Lady Fingers in your veggie garden can be done from March to July.