Plant Education Kit Plus
Explore the vibrant plants included in your fall subscription — perfect for warm-weather recipes like salads, grilled veggies, and salsas.
Learn how each variety thrives in the heat and how to place them in your garden for a productive growing season.
Click HERE to Download a garden layout for your medium veggie garden for layout examples.
The Plants
Chilacayote
Plant to Harvest:
65–75 days
Space Needed:
24-36 inches
Tip:
This tomato plant will stay small, growing to 18-24 inches in height. These compact plants thrive in the heat and
produce small, sweet, and flavorful fruits that mature quickly.
Opo Squash
Plant to harvest:
90-120 days
Space Needed:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Also known as bottle gourd, Opo squash is used in both cuisine and craft projects. It thrives on a sturdy trellis
with full sun.
Okra
Plant to harvest:
50–65 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Harvest pods when they are 3–4 inches long for the best texture. Regular picking encourages continuous production.
Seminole Pumpkin
Plant to harvest:
90-120 days
Space Needed:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Give each plant plenty of room to sprawl—Seminole pumpkins are vigorous growers and can spread 10–20 feet. If space
is tight, train the vines vertically on a strong trellis, and support developing pumpkins with slings made from
cloth or mesh to prevent breakage.
Black-Eyed Pea
Plant to harvest:
60–90 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Thrives in hot weather and is drought-tolerant. For the best yield, keep the soil consistently moist during
flowering and harvest pods when they are firm but not over-mature.
Celery
Plant to harvest:
120-150 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Celery is a water-loving plant and one of the most water-intensive vegetables to grow. Keep the soil consistently
moist and nutrient-rich for best results.
Serrano Pepper
Plant to harvest:
75-85 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Serrano peppers are hotter than jalapeños and offer a crisp, clean heat. Stake the plant if the branches become
heavy with peppers.
Lemon Basil
Plant to harvest:
25-35 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Lemon basil contains citral and limonene, which give it a lemony aroma and make it great for teas and desserts.
Needs lots of light, Pinch flower buds early to maintain flavor and leaf production.
Mini Pumpkin
Plant to harvest:
90-120 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Give each plant plenty of room to sprawl—Seminole pumpkins are vigorous growers and can spread 10–20 feet. If space
is tight, train the vines vertically on a strong trellis, and support developing pumpkins with slings made from
cloth or mesh to prevent breakage.
Malabar Spinach
Plant to harvest:
50–70 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Unlike traditional spinach, which struggles in the heat, Malabar Spinach thrives in the warm conditions. This plant
prefers hot weather and will not bolt like regular spinach. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth.
Rainbow Chard
Plant to harvest:
60-70 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
With vibrant, antioxidant-rich stems, rainbow chard brings color and health to your meals. Grow in full sun and
harvest outer leaves often to encourage new growth.
Mexican Tarragon
Plant to harvest:
85 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This herb tastes like French tarragon but thrives in heat, making it perfect for warm climates. Deadhead the flowers
regularly to keep the leaves flavorful and tender.
Butternut Squash
Plant to harvest:
85-110 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Butternut squash thrives in hot weather and requires a long growing season of about 90–110 days to fully mature,
which aligns well with extended summer and fall seasons.
Armenian Cucumber
Plant to Harvest:
50–60 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Armenian cucumbers are excellent for hot, dry climates due to their heat tolerance and ability to thrive in high
temperatures. They grow best with supporting structures and they are vining plants.
Malabar Spinach
Plant to Harvest:
50–70 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Unlike traditional spinach, which struggles in the heat, Malabar Spinach thrives in the warm conditions. This plant
prefers hot weather and will not bolt like regular spinach. Regular pruning encourages bushier growth.
Black-Eyed Pea
Plant to harvest:
60–90 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Thrives in hot weather and is drought-tolerant. For the best yield, keep the soil consistently moist during
flowering and harvest pods when they are firm but not over-mature.
Jalapeno
Plant to harvest:
70–85 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This is a heat tolerant jalapeno variety. More sun and warmth make spicier peppers. Harvest when dark green for a
mild flavor or red for sweetness.
Green String Bean - Contender Bush
Plant to harvest:
50–55 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This bush variety is a classic green bean. This plant produces well in warm weather, and should be planted in full
sun. Add a layer of mulch to conserve water in hot months.
Tomato - Rio Grande
Plant to harvest:
75–80 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
This is a heat-tolerant tomato variety, perfect for hot and tropical weather. Provide strong support as plants grow
to keep fruit off the ground.
Okra
Plant to harvest:
50–65 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Harvest pods when they are 3–4 inches long for the best texture. Regular picking encourages continuous production.
Bunching Onion
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Can be grown year-round. Harvest at any size depending on preference. Bunching onions (also known as scallions or
green onions) are a fantastic addition to warm weather gardens, especially for gardeners looking for a
low-maintenance, quick-growing crop.
Cantaloupe
Plant to harvest:
75–90 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Trellising your cantaloupe in your garden will be the easiest way to prevent the fruit from rotting. If you do not
want to trellis your leons, use a melon cradle to avoid rot and pests on the bottom of your fruits. Needs good air
circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Pick when the fruit easily separates from the vine.
Banana Pepper
Plant to harvest:
70–75 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This is a heat tolerant banana pepper variety, perfect for tropical hot weather.Pick when yellow for a mild taste or
wait until red for more sweetness. Frequent harvesting increases production.
Luffa
Plant to harvest:
90–120 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Requires a strong trellis for best growth. Harvest young for eating or let mature for sponges.
Green Zucchini
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Harvest when 6–8 inches long for the best flavor and texture. Mulching helps retain moisture and prevents soil from
splashing onto leaves.
Egyptian Spinach
Plant to harvest:
60–70 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Egyptian spinach is highly heat-tolerant and thrives in warm climates. Regular harvesting of the tender leaves will
encourage more growth, so make sure to cut back older leaves to maintain plant health.
Lima Bean
Plant to harvest:
60–90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Lima beans prefer warm, sunny weather and benefit from well-drained soil. Make sure to provide them with adequate
support if growing pole varieties to ensure they don’t topple over.
Yellow Squash- Crookneck
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Harvest when 4–6 inches long for best texture. Remove old leaves to improve airflow and reduce disease risk.
Thyme
Plant to harvest:
70-90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Thyme prefers dry, well-draining soil and thrives with minimal watering. Trim regularly to prevent woodiness and to
encourage fresh, tender growth.
Basil
Plant to harvest:
60–90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Basil thrives in full sun and needs warm temperatures to reach its full flavor potential. Regularly pinch off the
flower buds to prevent the plant from going to seed, ensuring a longer harvest period.
Bell Pepper
m
Plant to Harvest:
60-90 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This is a heat tolerant bell pepper to prepare for warm summer months. Bell peppers thrive in full sun and require
consistent moisture to prevent stress. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot—let the soil dry slightly
between waterings.
Dwarf Cherry Tomato
Plant to Harvest:
65–75 days
Space Needed:
16-24inches
Tip:
This tomato plant will stay small, growing to 18-24 inches in height. These compact plants thrive in the heat and
produce small, sweet, and flavorful fruits that mature quickly.
Cucumber- Spacemaster bush
Plant to harvest:
60 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This compact bush variety benefits from a trellis for cleaner fruit. Keep soil consistently moist to prevent
bitterness.
Tomato - Rio Grande
Plant to harvest:
75–80 days
Space Needed:
24-36 inches
Tip:
This is a heat-tolerant tomato variety, perfect for hot and tropical weather. Provide strong support as plants grow
to keep fruit off the ground.
Eggplant
Plant to harvest:
75-90 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Eggplants thrive in full sun and benefit from a steady supply of water. Use a mulch around the base of the plant to
help retain moisture and keep weeds at bay.
Okra
Plant to harvest:
50–65 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Harvest pods when they are 3–4 inches long for the best texture. Regular picking encourages continuous production.
Swiss Chard - Bright Lights
Plant to harvest:
50-60 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
This variety will turn lots of shades from pinks to yellows and more. Can be harvested leaf by leaf for a continuous
supply. Tolerates both heat and cold
Lettuce - heat tolerant
Plant to harvest:
45-55 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
This variety is specially to withstand warmer temperatures. Plant in partial shade or cover with shade cloth when
heat spikes. Keep the soil consistently moist and harvest leaves regularly to encourage new growth.
Small
Watermelon
Plant to harvest:
70–85 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Small watermelons typically grow to about 5–10 pounds in weight. These plants are often referred to as mini or
personal-sized watermelons, and thrive in hot weather and love full sun.
Lettuce Freckle
Plant to harvest:
45-55 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
This variety is specially to withstand warmer temperatures. It will have gorgeous coloring when it begins to mature.
Plant in partial shade or cover with shade cloth when heat spikes. Keep the soil consistently moist and harvest
leaves regularly to encourage new growth.
Canteloupe
m
Plant to harvest:
75–90 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Trellising your canteloupe in your garden will be the easiest way to prevent the fruit from rotting. If you do not
want to trellis your leons, use a melon cradle to avoid rot and pests on the bottom of your fruits. Needs good air
circulation to prevent powdery mildew. Pick when the fruit easily separates from the vine.
Yellow Squash - Crookneck
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Harvest when 4–6 inches long for best texture. Remove old leaves to improve airflow and reduce disease risk.
Green String Bean- Contender Bush
Plant to harvest:
50–55 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This bush variety is a classic green bean. This plant produces well in warm weather, and should be planted in full
sun. Add a layer of mulch to conserve water in hot months.
Pattypan Squash
m
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Pattypan squash is drought-tolerant and does well in heat, but it requires regular watering for best production. To
prevent rot, make sure the squash is off the ground by using mulch or plant support
Chammomile
Plant to harvest:
60-90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Harvest flowers in the morning for the best flavor, and use them in teas or as a calming herb.
Cilantro
Plant to harvest:
45-70 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Cilantro bolts quickly in warm weather, so plant in partial shade or use succession planting every 2-3 weeks for
continuous harvests. Trim outer leaves frequently to encourage bushier growth and prevent early flowering.
Green Zucchini
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Harvest when 6–8 inches long for the best flavor and texture. Mulching helps retain moisture and prevents soil from
splashing onto leaves.
Dwarf Cherry Tomato
Plant to Harvest:
65–75 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This tomato plant will stay small, growing to 18-24 inches in height. These compact plants thrive in the heat and
produce small, sweet, and flavorful fruits that mature quickly.
Tomato - Rio Grande
Plant to harvest:
75–80 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
This is a heat-tolerant tomato variety, perfect for hot and tropical weather. Provide strong support as plants grow
to keep fruit off the ground.
Bell Pepper
Plant to harvest:
60-90 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This is a heat tolerant bell pepper to prepare for warm summer months. Bell peppers thrive in full sun and require
consistent moisture to prevent stress. Avoid overwatering, as this can lead to root rot—let the soil dry slightly
between waterings.
Cucumber - Spacemaster Bush
Plant to harvest:
60 days
Space Needed:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This compact bush variety benefits from a trellis for cleaner fruit. Keep soil consistently moist to prevent
bitterness.
Sugar Snap Pea
Plant to harvest:
50-70 days
Space Needed:
12-16 (or closer) inches
Tip:
Sugar snap peas are a climbing plant, so give them a sturdy trellis to help them reach their full potential. For the
sweetest peas, harvest when the pods are plump but still tender, as they get tough if left too long.
Freckled Lettuce
Plant to harvest:
45-55 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Lettuce requires consistent watering to keep the leaves crisp and tender, so avoid letting the soil dry out. For a
continual harvest, trim the outer leaves regularly, allowing the inner leaves to grow and stay fresh longer.
Butter Lettuce
Plant to harvest:
45-55 days
Space Needed:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Lettuce requires consistent watering to keep the leaves crisp and tender, so avoid letting the soil dry out. For a
continual harvest, trim the outer leaves regularly, allowing the inner leaves to grow and stay fresh longer.
Eggplant
Plant to harvest:
70–85 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This is a heat tolerant jalapeno variety. More sun and warmth make spicier peppers. Harvest when dark green for a
mild flavor or red for sweetness.
Green Zucchini
Plant to harvest:
50–60 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Harvest when 6–8 inches long for the best flavor and texture. Mulching helps retain moisture and prevents soil from
splashing onto leaves.
Green String Bean- Contender Bush
Plant to harvest:
50–55 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This bush variety is a classic green bean. This plant produces well in warm weather, and should be planted in full
sun. Add a layer of mulch to conserve water in hot months.
Yellow Zucchini
Plant to harvest:
55–60 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
This is a bush bean variety, and fixes nitrogen in the soil to support neighboring plants. Unlike typical green
beans, Roma II beans are flat-podded and have a rich, nutty flavor that holds up well in cooking.
Serrano Pepper
Plant to harvest:
75-85 days
Space it needs:
16-24 inches
Tip:
Serrano peppers are hotter than jalapeños and offer a crisp, clean heat. Stake the plant if the branches become
heavy with peppers.
Alpine Berries
Plant to harvest:
60-90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Alpine strawberries thrive in hydroponic systems, offering a steady harvest of delicious, sweet berries throughout
the growing season. To achieve the best flavor, ensure they receive ample light. To ensure a great harvest, you may
need to hand-pollinate the flowers since these plants rely on wind or insects for pollination in outdoor
environments.
Dill
Plant to harvest:
70–85 days
Space it needs:
24-36 inches
Tip:
Small watermelons typically grow to about 5–10 pounds in weight. These plants are often referred to as mini or
personal-sized watermelons, and thrive in hot weather and love full sun.
Malabar Spinach
Plant to harvest:
40-50 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Spinach loves to grow fast, so keep it well-watered and watch those vibrant leaves pop up! For the tastiest harvest,
pick the outer leaves first and leave the center to keep producing fresh, tender greens all season long.
Red Yard Long Bean
Plant to harvest:
60-90 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
This is a pole bean variety that requires relissing to grow. It produces long, slender, deep-red pods that can reach
up to 18 inches long. It is also sometimes called the yardlong bean or chinese red noodle bean.
Cilantro
Plant to harvest:
45-70 days
Space it needs:
12-16 inches
Tip:
Cilantro bolts quickly in warm weather, so plant in partial shade or use succession planting every 2-3 weeks for
continuous harvests. Trim outer leaves frequently to encourage bushier growth and prevent early flowering.
Garden Layout
Get ready to transform your space into a vibrant veggie haven! We’ve put together a simple yet effective garden layout that will help you maximize your area and grow a variety of fresh, delicious vegetables. Whether you have a small yard or just a balcony, this layout is designed to make gardening easy and enjoyable for everyone. Let’s dive into your gardening journey!
