When do summer annuals complete their vegetative stage?

Summer annuals complete their vegetative stage in the summer. This is a critical period in their life cycle, where they focus on growing leaves, stems, and root systems to establish themselves before producing flowers and seeds. Typically, summer annuals germinate in the spring and take advantage of the warmer temperatures and longer days to grow rapidly. By the time summer arrives, they have reached their full vegetative growth and are ready to enter the reproductive stage.

In contrast, the other options do not accurately align with the growth patterns of summer annuals. For instance, during the fall, these plants are usually transitioning toward senescence and seed production rather than extending their vegetative growth. Spring is primarily when they begin to emerge and establish, while early summer still falls within a growing timeframe, the vegetative phase is generally considered completed as summer hits its peak.