July feels like summer is in full swing — and for many gardeners, it feels like the planting season is over. It's not. July is actually a great time to plant a second round of crops, start fall vegetables, and fill gaps in your garden.
Here's what to plant this month, organized by US growing zone.
A Note on July Planting
The key in July is to think two ways at once:
- Short-season crops that will mature before heat gets worse
- Fall crops that need to be started now to mature before first frost
Don't try to start long-season warm-weather crops like main-season tomatoes or winter squash in July — they won't have enough time.
Zones 3–4 (Northern US: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Maine, Montana)
You have a short growing season, so July is actually prime time for your warm-season crops.
Plant now:
- Bush beans (sow directly — still plenty of time before first frost)
- Summer squash (still fast enough to produce)
- Cucumbers (early July only — need 50–60 days to harvest)
- Basil (start from transplant)
- Succession lettuce and spinach (will mature in cool August and September)
- Radishes (30 days to harvest)
Start indoors for fall transplant:
- Kale and chard (transplant out in 4–5 weeks)
Quick tip for northern zones: Your first frost may come as early as September. Count backwards from September 15 to know if a crop has enough time. If days to maturity is more than 60 days, it's probably too late to start.
Zones 5–6 (Great Lakes, Mid-Atlantic, Pacific Northwest)
This is a sweet spot for July planting. You have warm weather now and cool fall conditions coming — perfect for two rounds of crops.
Plant now (warm-season crops):
- Cucumbers and summer squash (early July)
- Bush beans (succession sowing every 2 weeks through mid-July)
- Basil, dill, cilantro
Start fall crops:
- Broccoli and cabbage (start indoors now; transplant in August)
- Kale (direct sow in July; loves cool fall weather)
- Beets and carrots (sow directly now)
- Spinach (sow late July for fall harvest)
- Garlic sets (plant in fall — start ordering now)
Flowers:
- Zinnias (from seed — last chance for a late summer bloom)
- Sunflowers (early July only in Zone 5)
Zones 7–8 (Mid-South, Pacific Coast, Virginia to Georgia)
July heat is intense in these zones. Focus on heat-tolerant crops and fall planting setup.
Heat-tolerant crops to plant now:
- Sweet potatoes (still time in early July if not planted yet)
- Okra (loves heat — direct sow)
- Black-eyed peas and southern peas
- Heat-tolerant herbs: rosemary, thyme, lemon verbena
- Heat-tolerant basil varieties
Start fall crops indoors now:
- Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage (transplant out in August)
- Kale and collard greens
- Leeks
Direct sow in late July:
- Beets, carrots, turnips, radishes
- Bush beans (in cooler microclimates)
Flowers:
- Marigolds and zinnias (still time for a fall bloom)
- Celosia (loves the heat)
Zones 9–10 (South Florida, Southern California, Gulf Coast)
Midsummer is actually one of the most challenging times to garden in these zones — the heat can be brutal. Focus on extremely heat-tolerant crops and preparing for the fall garden.
What to plant now:
- Okra (one of the few things that loves 100°F days)
- Southern peas and black-eyed peas
- Sweet potatoes
- Armenian cucumber (more heat-tolerant than regular cucumber)
- Tropical herbs: basil, lemongrass
What to start now for fall:
- Zone 9 fall garden begins in August–September. Start seeds in late July for:
- Tomatoes (yes, fall tomatoes are possible in Zone 9)
- Peppers
- Eggplant
- Beans
Flowers:
- Periwinkle (vinca) — thrives in extreme heat
- Portulaca — succulent flower, needs almost no water
- Gaillardia
Year-Round July Tips for Every Zone
Fill gaps: If a spring crop is done, replant the space. Bare soil is a missed opportunity.
Succession plant: Sow lettuce, radishes, and beans every 2 weeks for continuous harvests.
Prepare fall beds: If you're starting a new raised bed for fall, July is the time to build it, fill it, and let it settle.
Save water: Mulch heavily in July. Two inches of straw or wood chips can cut watering frequency in half during summer heat.
Order fall garlic: Garlic for fall planting from seed suppliers often sells out by September. Order in July.
July gardeners are ahead of the curve. While others have given up until next spring, you're planning a second harvest. That's the real hack.
