What Foods Grow in the Summer?

Farmers work year-round to get food on our table, but here we explore some popular fruits and veggies that are in season in the summer!

Corn

Corn, or maize, is one of the most widely grown food plants in the world! It is a member of the grass family and was first domesticated thousands of years ago in the Americas- the United States is still the largest producer of corn in the world today. Curious how corn grows? Check out this video! 

Want to know where popcorn comes from? This lesson from the National Center for Agricultural Literacy explores this question. 

Strawberries 

Strawberries aren’t actually berries at all but are accessory fruits! They are also the only fruit that has seeds on the outside. Have you ever been strawberry picking with your family? The strawberries you buy in the grocery store or from the farmer’s market are also most likely picked by hand by a farmworker!

Learn more about strawberry farming with the free printable book “A Berry Good Project” from Feeding Minds Press. 

Watermelon 

In order for watermelons to grow, farmers need sun, bees, and water! Pollination is key in making watermelon grow from flowers. Seedless watermelon has become very popular in recent years, making up 92% of sales in the U.S., but do you know how they grow? This article explains! 

Check out these fun lessons from Oklahoma Ag in the Classroom to learn more about watermelon and other types of melons! 

Tomatoes 

While many people think of tomatoes as vegetables, they are actually fruit! They begin as a little seedling then grow into a bush or vine with flowers. These flowers are pollinated, and the tomato begins to grow. This video from True Food TV gives an up-close look at how tomatoes grow. 

These lessons from California Foundation for Agriculture in the Classroom use tomatoes as a theme to  help students practice science and math skills. 

Note: you can find many of these foods year-round, but they are categorized as summer crops by SNAP-Ed.