Summer Gardening Tips from the Samaritan Farm

Plus Two Fresh Recipes to Try at Home 🌱

Summer is one of the busiest — and most rewarding — seasons on the Samaritan Farm. As the Arkansas heat settles in, our team is harvesting fresh produce for the Samaritan Cafes and Markets while preparing new crops for the weeks ahead.

Whether you have a backyard garden, a few raised beds, or simply some pots on the porch, summer is a great time to grow food, support pollinators, and enjoy fresh meals with family and friends.

Our Farm Manager Megan shared a few simple tips to help your garden thrive this season.

5 Summer Gardening Tips for

Arkansas Growers

1. Plant Native Flowers for Pollinators 🐝

Arkansas summers can be hot and dry, but native flowers are built for it. Plants like coneflowers, bee balm, black-eyed Susans, milkweed, and coreopsis help attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators that your garden depends on.

Native plants also typically require less watering and maintenance once established.

2. Mulch is Your Best Friend

One of the easiest ways to help your garden survive the summer heat is by adding mulch around your plants.

Mulch helps:

• Retain moisture

• Reduce weeds

• Keep roots cooler

• Improve soil health over time

Straw, shredded leaves, or untreated wood mulch all work well in Arkansas gardens.

3. Try Companion Planting

Certain plants naturally help each other grow.

A few easy combinations:

• Tomatoes + Basil

• Cucumbers + Dill

• Peppers + Onions

• Marigolds near almost everything

Companion planting can help deter pests, improve pollination, and maximize garden space naturally.

4. Water Deeply — Not Constantly

Instead of watering lightly every day, give your garden a deep soak a few times a week. This encourages roots to grow deeper and helps plants become more resilient during hot stretches.

Early morning watering is best during Arkansas summers.

5. Keep It Simple

You don’t need a massive garden to grow fresh food.

Some beginner-friendly summer crops for Arkansas include:

• Tomatoes

• Cucumbers

• Zucchini

• Okra

• Basil

• Peppers

Even a small garden can provide fresh produce all season long.

Fresh Summer Side Dish

Cucumber Tomato Salad 🥒🍅

This refreshing side dish is simple, fresh, and perfect for hot summer evenings.

Ingredients

• 2 cucumbers, sliced

• 3 tomatoes, chopped

• 1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

• Fresh basil

• 2 tablespoons olive oil

• 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

Combine cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, and basil in a large bowl.

Drizzle with olive oil and vinegar, then season with salt and pepper. Toss gently and refrigerate for 20 minutes before serving.

Fresh Summer Main Dish

Garden Vegetable Pasta 🍝

This easy pasta recipe is a great way to use up fresh summer vegetables from the garden.

Ingredients

• 1 pound pasta

• 2 zucchini, sliced

• 1 bell pepper, chopped

• 2 tomatoes, diced

• 3 cloves garlic, minced

• Fresh basil

• Olive oil

• Parmesan cheese

• Salt and pepper

Directions

Cook pasta according to package directions.

In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Add zucchini and peppers and sauté until softened. Add garlic and tomatoes and cook another 2–3 minutes.

Toss vegetables with cooked pasta and fresh basil. Top with parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

Serve warm with garlic bread or a fresh salad.

Growing More Than Food

Every week, the Samaritan Farm helps provide fresh produce for families visiting our Markets and neighbors dining in our Cafes. But beyond the vegetables themselves, the Farm also creates opportunities for volunteers, education, healing, and community connection.

Thank you for helping us continue growing Hunger • Health • Hope across Northwest Arkansas.