Top 10 Summer Crops

1. TOMATOES In sandwiches or salads, roasted or plucked straight from the vine – tomatoes take pride of place in Kiwi gardens. Thriving in full sun and warm conditions, tomatoes can be grown in the garden or containers with support. 

2. CUCUMBERS Thriving with sun and plenty of water, cucumber is popular sliced into sandwiches and salads, pickled, or added to drinks. Ensure good air flow and pick regularly. 

3. BERRIES Sun, sun and more sun is the key to success for juicy sweet berries. Raspberries, blueberries, boysenberries and blackberries are popular options.

4. COURGETTES Courgette or zucchini is easy to grow and as a prolific producer. One plant is often enough. Add to stir fries, baking or try grilling.

5. SWEETCORN Easy to grow with warm soil and sunshine. Sweetcorn’s taste is unbeaten when freshly picked and cooked - try grilling on the BBQ! Add pumpkin and beans for a three sisters garden - a space saving solution where the three companion plants support each other’s growth.

6. POTATOES Roasted, boiled, mashed or in a salad - spuds always taste better dug out of your own garden. Sprout seed potatoes and plant in garden beds, containers or the Tui Potato Grow Bag. Serve for Christmas lunch with lashings of butter!

7. LETTUCE Quick growing lettuce can be grown in the garden, pots and containers. Feed, water and pick your lettuce frequently as it can bolt in extreme heat. Harvest a leaf at a time and ensure a steady supply with succession planting.

8. WATERMELON A sweet, juicy summer treat the kids will love. Watermelon loves hot weather and lots of space. Try planting in our Tui Tomato Tower!

9. PASSIONFRUIT Thriving in warm, sunny spots, passionfruit is a vigorous climber producing fragrant, delicious fruit perfect for summer desserts and drinks. You can freeze excess pulp for use over the cooler months. 

10. CHILLI Adding spice and flavour to dishes, chillies come in many varieties and heat levels. They don’t need a lot of special care or space but love sun and warmth.