Tomatoes

Tomatoes are a Kansas garden favorite, and for good reason. Few vegetables offer as much reward for so little effort. From sandwiches to sauces to fresh salads, tomatoes are the backbone of summer recipes. At Brady Nursery, we carry a wide variety of tomato plants, including heirloom favorites like Better Boy, Beefmaster, Celebrity, and Jet Star. These time-tested varieties are known for their rich flavor, hearty yields, and garden nostalgia. If you’re looking for something bred for performance, our hybrid cultivars are a great choice, especially for those wanting disease resistance and high productivity.

Tomatoes should be planted once all danger of frost has passed and soil temperatures have warmed to at least 55°F. They thrive in sunny spots with well-drained soil. Be sure to space your tomato plants 36 to 48 inches apart to give them room to grow and breathe. If you're planting in containers or raised beds, make sure your pots are deep enough to support strong root systems. And don’t forget: a sturdy cage or stake will keep your plants upright once fruit starts forming.

Peppers

From sweet and crunchy to hot and fiery, peppers bring excitement and diversity to the garden and the kitchen. Kansas gardeners love peppers for their compact growth, colorful appearance, and wide range of flavors. At Brady Nursery, we offer a large selection of pepper plants, including bells, banana peppers, jalapeños, habaneros, and even ghost peppers for the adventurous. Peppers prefer warm weather and should be planted in a sunny, fertile location after the threat of frost has passed. They do best in soil that drains well and stays consistently moist. Ideal growing temperatures range from 70°F to 85°F, and spacing of 24 to 36 inches between plants is key for air circulation and healthy growth.

A tip from our team: Use Fertilome Root Stimulator at planting and reapply every two weeks for six weeks to encourage deep, strong roots. The next step is to use Fertilome Tomato Food or Gardener Special every 2-3 weeks to keep garden crops blooming and producing. And if you’re planting taller pepper varieties, be prepared to stake them. Those heavy fruits can cause branches to droop.

Melons

Few things taste more like summer than a juicy slice of fresh melon. Whether your go-to is watermelon, cantaloupe, or honeydew, growing your own melons is both fun and incredibly satisfying. Melons love warm, sunny weather and thrive in fertile, well-drained soil. Once the soil temperature reaches at least 70°F and there’s no more risk of frost, it’s go-time. Plant your seedlings or directly sow your seeds in hills or mounds to ensure proper drainage. These vining plants need plenty of space to sprawl, so give them room! You can also train them to grow on trellises to save space and keep the fruit clean.

We recommend using mulch around the base of melon plants to retain moisture and prevent weeds. And if you’re looking for a little extra flavor punch, try our Brady Nursery-grown melon varieties, handpicked for Kansas growing conditions.

Squash

From zucchini and yellow squash to acorn and butternut, squash offers a wide variety of textures and flavors that can elevate any meal. They’re also incredibly productive, making them a rewarding crop for gardeners of all experience levels. Squash plants should be sown in warm, well-drained soil after the frost has passed. They grow fast and require plenty of space, especially vining types like pumpkins and spaghetti squash. Whether you’re planting summer squash or preparing for a fall harvest of winter squash, give them room to stretch.

Raised beds or mounds work well for squash, improving drainage and giving roots the oxygen they need. And just like with tomatoes and peppers, consistent fertilizing with Fertilome Gardeners Special is crucial. but we also recommend using Hi-Yield Calcium Nitrate. Apply 1 teaspoon per plant at planting time, then apply again two weeks later. Water thoroughly each time to help prevent Blossom End Rot, which can affect tomatoes, peppers, and squash alike.