Here are crops that are abundant this July and August.
Mustard (Brassica juncea)
Mustard, or mustasa in Tagalog, is a quick-growing leafy vegetable that can be grown in less than a month. Mustasa requires full sun, but it can also tolerate partial shade. It is a non-seasonal crop that can be harvested through leaf cutting. This method enables growers to harvest multiple times and is best for household consumption. Mustard leaves can be pickled, sauteed, or served as a salad.
Sitaw (Vigna unguiculata ssp. sesquipedalis)
Sitao or sitaw is a high-value crop that can be cultivated throughout the year. It is classified into two types: bush and pole. Both varieties are easy to grow. This legume thrives best under full sunlight. The growing temperature must be from 20 to 35 degrees Celsius.
Sitaw matures within 50 to 65 days after planting. Harvesting them is manually performed twice a week, preferably when the temperature is low. Sitaw is a common ingredient in Filipino dishes like adobong sitaw, ginisang sitaw, kare-kare, and pinakbet.
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. walp)
Cowpea is another vegetable that can be grown in the Philippines, regardless of the month. This legume crop is not only a beneficial component in the human diet because its stem, leaves, and vines can also be used as animal feed. Cowpea is usually grown from seed. Apply natural fertilizer such as Fermented Plant Juice (FPJ) or Fermented Fruit Juice (FFJ) twice a week until it reaches the flowering stage. Cowpea will likely be ready for harvest after more or less two months from the sowing date.
Cucumber (Cucumis sativus)
Cucumber can either be added to salads or can be processed and pickled. The maturity of this plant occurs between 50 to 65 days after planting. Crops that can be intercropped with this are corn, legumes, lemongrass, and basil, which can all help in repelling and minimizing pests and insects. Cucumbers are collected based on the purpose of usage, either for slicing or pickling.
