If you live in the southernmost stretch of Ontario — where summer lingers just a little longer and the sunsets spill gold over warm fields — you know August is far from the end of the gardening season. Here, the air holds heat well into September, tomatoes ripen right on the vine, and the notion of a “second summer” isn’t just a nice idea… it’s a way of life.
What is a Second Summer Garden?
Think of it as your garden’s bonus round. While other parts of Canada are winding down, this unique corner — hugged by the Great Lakes — offers an extended growing season. That means there’s still time to plant, harvest, and enjoy fresh garden bounty before the true chill arrives come Fall.
What to Plant Now
In this golden stretch between midsummer and early fall, try:
+ Leafy Greens: Arugula, spinach, and lettuce will thrive in the cooler nights ahead.
+ Late Root Crops: Beets, carrots, and radishes can be ready before frost.
+ Herbs: Basil, dill, parsley, and cilantro will keep your kitchen fragrant.
Care for What’s Already Growing
Deadhead flowers, trim back leggy herbs, and give your soil a drink during hot spells. That little extra care now will keep blooms and veggies producing right through September.
It’s barefoot evenings in the garden, sipping iced tea while the crickets sing. It’s picking peppers in late September, or walking through rows of dahlias still in full bloom. It’s that sweet, slow stretch where you forget that frost will ever come.
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