Sun-loving Vegetables for Immediate Planting: Get the Best Yields under Sunny Conditions
Sun-Soaked Veggies: Top Performers for Full-Sun Gardens 🌞
Welcome, fellow garden enthusiasts! If your patch of earth soaks up plenty of sunlight, rejoice! There's a plethora of veggies that thrive in full sun. However, keep in mind that while some vegetables grow well in shade, many of your best harvests will come from those loving the full light of day.
As Pim Dickson, senior horticultural content manager at Mr Fothergill's, explains, the majority of vegetables need ample light to grow their finest. Here are five stars that will shine in your sunlit haven!
1. Swiss Chard
Say goodbye to wilting lettuce in shady spots! Swiss chard is your go-to leafy green for sunny gardens. Not only does it fare better in full sun, but it's also drought-tolerant, making it perfect for hot summers.
Suttons offers the vibrant Chard 'Rainbow' Organic Seeds for a spectrum of colors, or, Thompson & Morgan brings Swiss Chard 'Fordhook Giant' Seeds for just 99p.
2. Potatoes
Be it in the ground or containers, spuds crave sunshine to deliver their best harvests. Potatoes thrive in well-draining, fertile soil free from stones and prefer warmth.
You can plant manycrop varieties from June onwards to enjoy bountiful spuds as late as autumn or even around Christmas time! Thompson & Morgan offers Potato 'Maris Piper', while B&Q provides Potato 'Desiree'.
3. Sweetcorn
Sweetcorn is a delicious treats that doesn't just grow in fields! Teach yours to thrive in your sunlit garden.
They love warmth and direct sunlight, making them a perfect choice for summer. Sow them outdoors once the risk of frost has passed. Options to buy seeds and plants include Mr Fothergill's and Marshalls Garden.
4. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are classic full-sun stars. Grow them in the sunniest part of your garden, and you'll reap juicy, flavorful fruits. Similar to potatoes, tomatoes appreciate well-draining, nutrient-rich soil and feeding with a liquid tomato fertilizer.
Consider Tomorite from Amazon for boosting your harvest. Suttons and Gardening Express offer various tomato seeds and plants.
5. Peppers
Just like tomatoes, peppers thrive in direct sunlight, being native to Central and South America. They do wonders in garden beds or containers but require careful watering.
If you're after spicy fruits, it's a bit late to start sowing now, but you can grow milder varieties or buy ready-grown plants. Try Mr Fothergill's and Thompson & Morgan for seeds and plants!
6. Cucumbers
Cucumbers are technically fruits but are treated like vegetables. They perform best in full sun, given regular watering – especially once fruit has developed.
Sow cucumbers outdoors in June, and you'll find options from Suttons and Dobies for seeds.
If you're planning a small vegetable garden, aligning it with the light levels in your garden is a great place to start. These full-sun vegetables will help you get going! Happy gardening!
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Sophie King, Gardens Editor at our platform since 2024, is here to share growing tips for every space – balconies to garden beds. Sophie discovered her love for gardening while working for Grow Your Own and enjoys growing almost every vegetable under the sun, with a soft spot for roses and dinnerplate dahlias.
- Swiss Chard, being a suitable choice for sunny gardens, is an ideal leafy green for those with full-sun gardens as it thrives in ample sunlight and is also drought-tolerant, as suggested by Sophie King, Gardens Editor at the platform since 2024.
- Sweetcorn, a delightful treat that doesn't just grow in fields, is perfect for sunlit gardens, according to Pim Dickson, senior horticultural content manager at Mr Fothergill's. They love warmth and direct sunlight, making them a great option for summer.
