Regional Tips for Growing Edibles in the Midwest

The Midwest is a vast region with a wide range of climate and hardiness zones. For much of the Midwest growing edibles is highly productive with generally rich loamy soil and long warm growing seasons. But in the colder regions of the upper Midwest, harsh winters, cooler summers and a short growing season presents more challenges.

Depending on conditions in your specific region, it is helpful to understand how to meet the needs of your selected edible crops. Of course it is also important to know which vegetables perform best overall in the general Midwest.

Midwest Gardener Favorites:

Tomatoes: A hot long growing season is ideal for tomatoes, and much of the Midwest is perfectly suited to growing any tomato. In cooler regions it is important to select short season varieties that will reach harvest before frost. It is important to note in our Northern regions that it does not help to plant early. Planting in cool soil and cooler weather may even slow the progress of your plants.

Cucumbers and Zucchini: I think just about every gardener grows, or has grown, cucumbers and zucchini. In even our coldest Northern regions they are about the easiest edible to grow in a variety of conditions. No need to even start with bedding plants, start from seed.

Beans: Green beans, pole or bush, grow very easily all over the Midwest with little care and attention. Any of the shell beans do need the longer growing season of the warmer regions. For example a garbanzo bean needs up to 100 days of hot weather. Soybeans do well all over the Midwest if you want to grow them, but most home gardeners opt for kidney beans, navy beans or turtle (black) beans for our cooler regions.

Greens: Leafy greens of course are a great choice for the North and Midwest. But even in cold regions the summers get to hot for many greens, so a spring and a fall crop are ideal. There are many types of lettuce to try as well as spinach, chard, kale or collard greens.

Rhubarb: I dare say rhubarb will grow anywhere, kind of like zucchini! It will prefer full sun and moist soil, but mostly it just plain thrives like a weed.

Garlic: Garlic grows so well in the Midwest and is so easy, it is surprising more gardeners don’t plant it. Pop your garlic cloves in just a you put the garden to bed for winter and then harvest to cure in spring when the lower leaves turn brown.

Berries: Northern regions of the Midwest are perfect for blueberries, gooseberries, raspberries and currents. Strawberries will also do very well but of course are a bit fussier for their care if you are willing. In warmer regions of the Midwest you can add blackberries to the list.

Brassicas and Broccoli: Broccoli, cabbage and other brassicas love cool moist weather, so early spring and late summer plantings are idea. In the farthest Northern regions they will not have too much trouble with summer heat barring a heat wave and drought. A shade screen and plenty of water will take care of them.

Corn: Corn of course is a staple of Midwest farming and many home gardeners also grow sweet corn or popping corn. Just remember that you need a good block of plants to ensure good wind pollination.

Melons: Melons in general are not the easiest edible to grow but the Midwest and Northern climates do support the crop. Seeds can be sown early, before the last frost and good fruit development will require hot sunny weather. But be sure to look for short maturity of 100 days or less in our coolest regions. If we have a rainy cloudy summer the harvest will be disappointing and lack sweetness but heat and drought stress can also ruin a harvest. Cantaloupe and Muskmelon will tolerate maturing into cooler fall days but watermelon will not.

Asparagus: Perennial asparagus has become a new favorite among vegetable gardeners in the North and Midwest. They are very well suited to our climate conditions, the warmest regions of the Midwest will be a bit more limited in suitable varieties.

Potatoes: Potatoes tend to produce very well across the Midwest, and in Northern regions a root vegetable that can be allowed to mature well into winter is a bonus. Try planting red potatoes in early spring to harvest in summer and russets in early summer to harvest in fall.

Any of these edibles are great selections to start your garden with. Enjoy the harvest!