As gardeners, there’s often this weird belief that if we don’t get our gardens planted within weeks of that all-important final frost date, the whole season is lost. But that’s simply not the case.
Whether you’re getting a late start or you’re wondering how to maximize your harvest with another round, there are plenty of veggies you can grow in July. Yes, even you, friends in zones 3-5.
Raising Raised Beds
This year has been tough. Having moved into a new house last year, I’m starting my garden from scratch this season. As in, laying down layers of cardboard, then putting down wheelbarrow load after wheelbarrow load of wood chips before setting up raised beds on top of the chips. (These are the raised beds I decided on – you can read about my experience with them here)
It’s been a slog. A rainy, hot, sweaty, humid slog.
Between the tornado that went through my backyard in March, to the constant never never-ending rain this spring, immediately followed by a dangerous heatwave, I’m just now, July 1st, getting around to planting things.
But as I started poking around in my seed packets and checking out my (overgrown) seedlings, I realized how much I could still grow this late in the game. Really, the only things I would be missing out on this year are the cool-weather crops. I could still plant nearly everything else. And if I wanted, I could sneak in the cool-weather crops this fall.
It turns out that July is the perfect month to plant vegetables. Or plant some more vegetables!
Let’s take a look at what you can still grow this time of year, no matter where you are.
The Speed Queens of the Garden – Quick-to-Mature Crops
When the days are long and the soil is toasty warm, plants grow fast. That becomes your secret weapon in July.
There are a whole bunch of veggies that go from seed to harvest in 30 to 60 days, which means you can pop the seeds in the ground and get a decent harvest before the first frost. Maybe even more than one harvest.
Radishes are the obvious first choice. Some of the fastest varieties are ready in as few as 22 days. Give Cherry Belle and Early Scarlet Globe a try. Be sure they receive consistent moisture to prevent cracking and skip the fertilizer. Radishes prefer lean soil.
Lettuce is also a good candidate if you grow the right variety. Look for heat-resistant types, such as Jericho, Muir, or Buttercrunch. Bonus points if you can give them a bit of shade during the heat of the day. No need to set up any fancy shelters; instead, plant them at the base of a larger plant, such as tomatoes or peppers, so they receive some shade during the day.
Beets can also be planted now, especially if you’re more interested in the greens. (You do eat the greens, right?) But even the roots will have plenty of time to bulk up before frost in most zones. Look for faster-maturing varieties, such as Detroit Dark Red or Early Wonder.
Warm Season Crops You Can Still Sneak In
If your spring garden flopped or you missed the early window entirely (Hi, hello, would you like to join my club?), don’t despair. You might be surprised by the number of warm-season crops you can still plant in July, especially if you live in zones 5 through 10.
Carrots can easily be planted in July. Both quick-maturing and regular varieties still have plenty of time to develop.
If you’re in the shorter growing zones, you may even want to choose a variety that does best in fall plantings, like my personal favorite, Kyoto Red. (They’re so sweet and delicious!)
Bush beans are one of my personal favorites for this time of year. They grow fast, don’t mind the heat, and don’t need staking. Sow a new batch every two weeks to harvest them right up until that first frost in the fall. Some of our family’s favorites are Dragon Tongue and Red Swan.
Cucumbers and summer squash are also game for a July planting, particularly the faster, bushier varieties. Pickling cucumbers and Persian cucumbers tend to mature quickly, and zucchini—well, if you’ve ever grown zucchini, you know it doesn’t need a lot of encouragement to take over the world. Soak the seeds overnight to give them a head start.
Okra is another great summer veggie. If you’re down south, this is your moment. Okra loves heat. Like, seriously loves it. July is basically its favorite time of year. Sow it now and enjoy the pods well into fall.
As far as herbs go, you can also sow another round of basil, dill, and even cilantro. But bear in mind that cilantro will bolt in the heat, so it’s better planted toward the end of the month or in partial shade.
Nightshades, such as tomatoes, peppers and eggplants, are a big if. You certainly don’t have time to start them from seed. However, if you already have healthy transplants that have been tapping their roots, wondering what the holdup is, you can still get them in the ground quickly at the beginning of July. Pinch back any flowers for the first week to give the plant time to get established.
Unfortunately, for those gardeners in zones 3-5, you’re probably pushing it at this point, so it might be best to wait on these for next year and rely on the local farmer’s market.
Fall Crops to Start Now
Now here’s where the real July magic happens. (Especially for those of us who missed the fun in the spring.) Many of our cool-season crops, such as cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, and Brussels sprouts, actually grow better in the fall than in the spring. The trick is, they need to get going now so they’ve got time to mature before the first frost. July is the sweet spot for starting seeds for fall harvest.
If you’ve got a seed-starting setup or just a shady corner of the yard, get those brassicas going. Start them indoors or in a sheltered spot, and plan to transplant them in August or early September when the heat lets up. By the time they hit their stride, the weather will be cool, the pests will have chilled out, and you’ll have crisp, sweet heads of broccoli and cabbage to show for it.
Brussels sprouts are divas. They seem to take forever to mature, so the sooner you get them started, the better. They’re worth the effort, though, especially if you’ve never had homegrown sprouts caramelized in a pan with a little butter and balsamic. Game-changer. And once they’ve been through their first frost in the fall? Oh man, the flavor gets even better.
Other fall-friendly crops to start now: Chinese cabbage, bok choy, collard greens, and even another round of carrots. Carrots love growing into fall. A little frost actually makes them sweeter.
Zone Considerations
Okay, let’s discuss the big fat caveat that comes with this information: What you can plant in July absolutely, 100% depends on your USDA hardiness zone.
If you’re up north (zones 3–5), your growing season is already on the downhill slope. But don’t worry, you’re not out of options. Stick to those quick-maturing crops—radishes, lettuce, arugula, baby greens, beets, carrots—and maybe a sneaky round of bush beans if you’ve got 60 days to play with.
In the middle (zones 6–7), you’ve got the best of both worlds. Still time for heat lovers, but also a great window to start fall crops. Get those brassicas going and pop in another round of squash, beans, or cukes.
In the south (zones 8–10), July means you’re basically gardening on hard mode thanks to relentless heat and pest pressure being at its greatest. July is a great time to reset with beans, okra, sweet potatoes, and southern staples like cowpeas. Just make sure you’re watering deeply and mulching like your life depends on it. Or at least your veggies’ lives depend on it.
Tips for July Planting Success
- And speaking of mulch, it’s your best friend in the garden, especially in July. Mulch everywhere. If we’re going to be out there planting seeds in July, then they need consistent moisture. The sun can bake soil into concrete faster than you can say “Um, what happened to my cucumber seedlings?” A layer of mulch helps keep things cool, damp, and weed-free.
- Water deeply and consistently. You’re planting into hot soil during peak evaporation season. That means your new seedlings need a little more babying than they would have in the spring. Drip irrigation or soaker hoses help a ton.
- Shade is my friend. As my family can attest, just mentioning the heat makes me break into a sweat. Shade is your garden’s friend, too. Use row covers, shade cloth, or even an old bed sheet propped up with sticks if necessary.
Relax, We’ve Still Got Time
I’m not worrying, and neither should you. We haven’t missed the gardening boat. July is simply a different chapter in the season. Whether you’re filling in gaps, starting a fall garden, or finally getting those raised beds installed (ahem, just me then?), there’s still time to grow a lot of delicious food.
Take advantage of the long days, warm soil, and fast growth. Plant something quick. Start something for fall. Or just scatter some buckwheat and give your garden a midseason spa day. However you approach it, midsummer is a magical time in the garden.
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