What vegetables are best to plant during the summer solstice?

The summer solstice is coming soon, and the weather is getting hotter and hotter everywhere. At this time, the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and the Jianghuai River basin are still in the plum rain season, with humid air and continuous rain. So what vegetables are best to plant during the summer solstice?

1. Cowpea

Cowpea, also known as string bean, is a popular vegetable. Cowpea originated in Southeast Asia, and in China, it is mainly grown in the southern regions. Cowpea is not only highly nutritious and delicious, but also has a long supply period, especially at the turn of summer and autumn, making it an indispensable vegetable on the table. It is resistant to high temperatures and loves strong light, making it very suitable for growing in hot seasons such as the summer solstice.

2. Amaranth

Amaranth is a vegetable that is particularly important in June and July. There is a saying among the people that "Amaranth in June is as good as eggs, and amaranth in July is worth more than gold", which highlights its nutritional value and health benefits. When planting Amaranth, you should choose loose, fertile, and well-permeable alkaline soil, and prepare the soil before planting, keep the soil loose, apply fertilizer appropriately, and ensure that the soil has sufficient nutrients. At the same time, water frequently to keep the soil moist.

3. Cucumber

Before planting cucumbers, you need to build a seedbed and choose a place that is sheltered from the wind and can see the sunrise. The soil should be fertile and the ground should be flat. The planting spacing should be controlled at about 80 cm, the minimum row spacing should be about 40 cm, and the plant spacing should not exceed 30 cm, so as to rationally utilize the land and prevent diseases and pests.

4. Water spinach

Water spinach, also known as kiwi fruit and bamboo leaf vegetable, is named because the center of its rhizome is hollow. It is heat-resistant, likes fertilizer and water, grows rapidly, has a long harvest period, and is rich in nutrients. It is a high-yield and high-quality green leafy vegetable. In China, water spinach has a long history of cultivation, especially in South China and Southwest China.

5. Chili

Chili pepper, as a common condiment , is native to the tropical regions of Central and South America. It was brought back to Europe by Columbus in the late 15th century and introduced to China in the Ming Dynasty. It has now become a popular vegetable widely cultivated throughout China.

6. Loofah

Loofah is rich in vitamins and has a smooth taste, making it widely loved. It is a heat-resistant vegetable that prefers warm and humid environments and is very suitable for growing in hot summers. When planting loofah, you can use the direct seeding method, apply sufficient well-rotted farmyard manure before sowing, and prepare the land and make ridges. The planting row spacing is about 60 cm, the hole spacing is about 40 cm, and 2 to 3 seeds are sown in each hole. After the seedlings emerge, control water and fertilizer appropriately to promote root development and prevent excessive growth of seedlings. If the seedlings grow weakly, apply appropriate amounts of decomposed manure or urea. After loofah sets fruit, it requires a lot of water, so compound fertilizer should be applied and the soil should be kept moist. Loofah can be picked 10 to 12 days after flowering. Picking it too late will affect the taste and nutrient utilization.

In general, crops grow vigorously during the summer solstice, but at the same time, field management needs to be strengthened to prevent the growth of weeds and pests.