The 12 Best Vegetables to Grow in Full Sun

Lots of vegetables prefer full sun when it comes to producing a bountiful harvest. If your garden has lots of sunny spots with minimal shade, it’s worth focusing on the most suitable vegetables that grow optimally in such conditions. Anyone who’s serious about gardening should organize the layout of their garden carefully to ensure that plants are distributed in the right areas that meet their needs. Vegetables that thrive in partial shade won’t perform well in full sun and vice versa.

Although adequate sunlight isn’t the only important requirement to consider when growing vegetables, it’s safe to say that it plays a critical role in the way you’re organizing the layout of the garden. If you’re interested only in growing those vegetables that need full sun exposure, this article can help. We’ll explore the best vegetables you can add to your sunny garden patch. Assuming your location receives at least 6-7 hours of daily sunlight, you should be able to grow these tasty vegetables with great productivity. Here are the veggies that enjoy lengthy sunbathing on a regular basis.

1. Corn

If you enjoy freshly grilled corn on the cob, it’s worth including this vegetable in the sunny area of your garden. Corn plants thrive in full sun and produce a characteristic sweet taste. Although this vegetable is cheap to purchase at the store, it’s safe to say that you won’t regret growing it yourself. Store-bought corn can’t really compare to the flavorful style of homegrown corn. That level of freshness makes it worth growing corn in the garden. Water this plant consistently and provide it with sufficient space to develop as expected.

2. Eggplant

Easy to grow in different ways, eggplant is a solid addition to any garden sitting in full sunlight. This vegetable tends to prefer warmer climates. It will thrive when getting adequate exposure to the sun. Vines of eggplant can be grown in containers or directly into the ground. This is an incredibly versatile vegetable that can be incorporated into a variety of tasty recipes. Eggplants have a tendency of absorbing the flavors of other ingredients. This means that you don’t have to settle for the same boring taste when cooking with this vegetable.

3. Peppers

Whether you prefer sweet or hot peppers, these vegetables love extended periods of sunlight exposure. Any gardener living in a warm climate should consider bringing peppers to the bright spots in the garden. All peppers are green before they start to ripen properly. Although they can be harvested in this state, you won’t get much flavor until the peppers gain their characteristic red, yellow, or orange colors. It’s not just a matter of being tastier, but ripe peppers are also way more nutritious considering the increased vitamin content.

4. Squash

Both squash and its close cousin zucchini are great picks for a sunny patch of the garden. These vegetables are native to tropical regions of the globe. Even novice gardeners can grow them successfully in full sun. Summer squash thrives when planted in raised mounds that contribute to superior water drainage. You don’t need perfectly optimal conditions to grow squash in your garden. However, choosing a sunny spot ensures accelerated growth for this vegetable. Whether roasted, sauteed, or fried, squash fits into many delicious recipes.

5. Tomatoes

Tomatoes are technically fruits, but they still make it into this list because most people use them as vegetables. Popularly grown in full sun gardens, tomatoes are fairly low maintenance. They just need the proper support for their vines. It’s important to provide your tomato plants with trellis supports. Keeping your tomatoes happy will result in an abundance of juicy fruits. Fresh sun-ripened tomatoes are packed with flavor and healthy nutrients. While tomatoes love sunlight, they also have considerable moisture requirements to reach their maximum growth potential.

6. Sweet Potatoes

Thanks to their tropical origins, sweet potatoes are well adapted to grow in full sunlight. The popularity of the tubers in Southern cuisine isn’t surprising. These vegetables won’t be bothered by intense heat, but that is only assuming you provide them with enough water. Sweet potatoes thrive when nighttime temperatures are high. If you’re interested in growing your own sweet potato crop, it’s recommended to choose a short-season variety because this vegetable will typically mature very slowly. Pick a good cultivar that’s suitable for your local climate.

7. Beans

Known for being able to flourish in a sunny spot of the garden, beans are ideal for different climates. Some varieties provide good drought resistance that makes them suitable for hot regions while others perform better in cooler temperatures. Green beans are very tasty to eat fresh and they’re prolific growers. You can enjoy a bountiful harvest if you meet all the growth requirements of beans. The dried version of this vegetable is also a great option if you have a homestead and wish to preserve food.

8. Cucumber

Whether fresh or pickled, cucumbers have many tasty cooking applications. If you’re interested in growing this vegetable in your garden, consider looking for a location that gets full sun. Cucumber plants thrive when exposed to copious amounts of unfiltered sunlight. This makes the vegetable easy to grow. However, it’s worth keeping in mind the fact that cucumbers require a lot of water to produce a bountiful harvest. If the soil gets too dry, cucumbers will struggle to grow as expected. Buying this vegetable at the market is cheap but the taste is not comparable to a freshly picked cucumber grown in your own garden.

9. Pumpkin

Pumpkins seem to be cool-weather vegetables, but they actually love sunbathing as much as possible. You can safely grow them in your full-sun garden. Pumpkin plants are also able to tolerate a bit of shade so you can extend this crop in your garden without worrying about low yields. Plant the plant in the summer if you’re interested in obtaining a mature pumpkin just in time for Halloween. Aside from the ability to provide festive cheer, pumpkins have other great uses. You can roast pumpkin seeds to create a delicious treat fitting for colder seasons.

10. Okra

A native of Africa, okra thrives in any garden that receives a lot of sunlight. This vegetable is generally very tolerant of hot temperatures thanks to its reliable root system. Although okra isn’t as popular as other vegetables on this list, it’s worth trying if you want to add some exotic flavor to your meals. Preparing okra to taste delicious may take a bit of extra work if you’re not familiar with it. The squishy texture can seem unappealing unless you roast or fry the vegetable. Okra is also an excellent choice for pickling with spices.

11. Peas

Similar to other legumes such as beans, you can place peas in a sunny part of the garden without worries. The pea plant loves sunlight and grows best when it receives a great dose of it. There are usually two categories of peas that you can choose to plant in the garden: those that need shelling and varieties whose pods can be eaten. Regardless of your preferences, all types of peas are delicious and nutritious. These vegetables are not hard to grow considering you just need full sun and well-draining soil. Harvesting peas can be a little tricky because proper timing is essential to avoid over-maturing.

12. Garlic

Garlic is considered an essential ingredient for many recipes. To get the freshest flavor of this vegetable, it’s recommended to grow it in your own garden. Garlic plants enjoy full sun and shouldn’t be particularly difficult to grow. The most important aspect is to get your timing right when it comes to planting it. Avoid sowing in the spring and instead, try to plant it in the fall. Aside from being delicious fresh, dried garlic has lots of cooking uses as well. Select a good variety of this vegetable to ensure that it matches the climate conditions of your specific location.