Many gardeners assume that by July, the primary planting season is over, leaving only weeding and watering until fall. This couldn't be further from the truth. July is a pivotal month, presenting a unique opportunity to fill in gaps left by early spring harvests and sow for a robust second growing season. The key is selecting the right plants that can either beat the heat or use it to get a strong start for autumn. Success hinges on understanding exactly what can you plant in July to ensure a continuous supply of fresh produce well into the cooler months.
This guide provides a focused list of 10 outstanding vegetables you can get in the ground right now. We move beyond generic advice to give you specific, actionable steps for each plant, from quick-growing bush beans to the first sowings of fall brassicas like broccoli and cabbage. To successfully navigate the often-intense summer heat and conserve water, consider incorporating drought-tolerant gardening practices into your plans. By making smart plant choices this month, you can transform your garden into a productive powerhouse, guaranteeing a delicious harvest that extends long after summer fades.
1. Bush Beans
For gardeners wondering what you can plant in July for a quick and rewarding harvest, bush beans are a top contender. These legumes are fast-growing and well-suited for summer heat, maturing in just 50 to 60 days. Unlike their pole bean relatives, bush beans grow into compact, self-supporting plants, eliminating the need for trellises or stakes. This makes them perfect for small gardens, raised beds, and even large containers.
Their rapid growth cycle allows for succession planting; you can sow a new batch every two to three weeks to ensure a continuous supply of fresh beans until the first frost. This strategy maximizes your garden's productivity throughout the hottest part of the year.
Recommended Varieties and Planting Tips
Choosing the right variety can significantly impact your success. For those in hot Southern climates, Provider and Contender are excellent heat-tolerant options. In the milder summers of the Pacific Northwest, Blue Lake Bush is a reliable producer. A versatile heirloom, the Cherokee Trail of Tears bean, adapts well to a wide range of climates.
To ensure a successful crop, follow these actionable tips:
- Succession Planting: Sow seeds every 2-3 weeks for a non-stop harvest.
- Moisture Retention: Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of the plants to keep the soil cool and moist, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Heat Protection: In extremely hot regions, plant where they will receive morning sun and some afternoon shade to prevent stress.
- Seed Preparation: In dry soil conditions, soaking seeds for 2-4 hours before planting can significantly speed up germination.
This quick reference infographic highlights the key attributes that make bush beans an excellent choice for July planting.
The combination of a fast maturity time, manageable height, and soil-enriching properties makes bush beans a productive and beneficial addition to any mid-summer garden plan.
2. Summer Lettuce Varieties
For gardeners who believe fresh salads are impossible in the summer heat, heat-tolerant lettuce varieties are a game-changer. Standard lettuce bolts (goes to seed and turns bitter) in high temperatures, but specific cultivars have been bred to resist this tendency. These varieties allow you to continue harvesting crisp, flavorful greens right through the hottest months of the year, making them an excellent choice for what you can plant in July.
Many of these lettuces are loose-leaf, romaine, or butterhead types, which are naturally more adaptable to heat than crisphead varieties. Planting them in July means you can enjoy fresh salads well into the early fall, extending your harvest season significantly. They are perfect for in-ground beds, raised gardens, and containers where soil temperature and moisture are easier to manage.
Recommended Varieties and Planting Tips
Success with summer lettuce hinges on choosing the right heat-tolerant cultivars. Jericho Romaine is a standout, known to thrive even in 90°F+ Arizona gardens. For humid Southern summers, Slobolt butterhead is a reliable option, while the beautiful Red Sails leaf lettuce produces well even in the confined space of a container garden.
To ensure a successful and continuous harvest, follow these actionable tips:
- Provide Afternoon Shade: In the hottest climates, plant lettuce where it will receive morning sun and be shielded from the intense afternoon heat.
- Use Shade Cloth: During extreme heat waves, cover plants with a 30-50% shade cloth to prevent scorching and reduce plant stress.
- Succession Planting: Sow a small batch of seeds every two weeks to guarantee a continuous supply of young, tender leaves.
- Harvest Early: Pick your lettuce in the cool of the early morning. The leaves will be crisper, more hydrated, and have the best flavor.
- Container Mobility: Consider growing in containers, which can be moved into shadier spots as the sun's position changes throughout the day.
By selecting the right varieties and providing some protection from the sun, you can easily defy the summer heat and keep fresh greens on your table.
3. Radishes
For gardeners seeking nearly instant gratification, radishes are an unbeatable answer to what you can plant in July. These root vegetables are incredibly fast-growing, with many varieties maturing in just 25 to 30 days. Their ability to go from seed to harvest in under a month makes them a perfect crop for filling in garden gaps or getting a quick yield before the season ends. Planting in July allows for a delicious August harvest.
Beyond their speed, radishes are excellent for improving soil structure. Their roots help break up compacted soil, making it more hospitable for subsequent crops. They can also be intercropped with slower-growing vegetables, acting as living row markers that are harvested long before their companions need the space. This makes them a highly efficient use of garden real estate.
Recommended Varieties and Planting Tips
Success with summer radishes often depends on choosing the right variety and location. The classic Cherry Belle is a great choice for quick maturity, even in a Minnesota July. For those in the Pacific Northwest, planting a heat-tolerant Daikon variety in July can yield a substantial fall harvest. A colorful Easter Egg mix is perfect for adding visual appeal to summer container gardens.
To ensure a successful crop in the summer heat, follow these actionable tips:
- Cool Location: Plant radishes in the shadiest, coolest part of your garden to prevent them from bolting (flowering prematurely).
- Succession Planting: Sow a small batch of seeds every week through July and into August in cooler climates for a continuous supply.
- Prompt Harvesting: Harvest radishes as soon as they reach their mature size. Leaving them in the ground too long can result in a woody texture and spicy flavor.
- Moisture is Key: Keep the soil consistently moist to encourage rapid, even growth and prevent splitting.
With their rapid growth and soil-conditioning benefits, radishes are a smart and productive choice for any gardener looking to maximize their mid-summer planting efforts.
4. Cucumber
For those seeking a prolific warm-season crop, cucumbers are an excellent answer to the question of what you can plant in July. These heat-loving vines thrive in the summer's warm soil and long days, producing abundantly through late summer and into the early fall. Planting in July allows you to take full advantage of the warm nights that significantly boost their growth, leading to a crisp and refreshing harvest.
Cucumbers grow quickly, often producing fruit in 50 to 70 days, making them a rewarding mid-summer addition. Whether you prefer them for slicing, pickling, or adding to salads, a July planting ensures you have a steady supply when many other garden vegetables begin to fade.
Recommended Varieties and Planting Tips
Choosing the right cucumber variety for your climate is key to success. Straight Eight is a classic slicing cucumber that produces heavily in Midwest July plantings. For those with limited space, the compact Bush Champion is ideal for small Southern gardens. In hot, dry Western climates, Armenian cucumbers (which are technically melons but taste like cucumbers) excel without becoming bitter.
To ensure a bountiful crop, follow these actionable tips:
- Consistent Watering: Provide deep, consistent watering, especially during fruit development, to prevent bitterness.
- Pest Protection: Use row covers on young plants to protect them from cucumber beetles, but remove them once flowers appear to allow for pollination.
- Moisture Retention: Apply a thick layer of straw or wood chip mulch to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.
- Vertical Growth: Train vining types up a trellis or cage to save space, improve air circulation, and make harvesting easier.
- Frequent Harvesting: Pick cucumbers as soon as they reach the desired size to encourage the plant to produce more fruit.
This short video provides a helpful overview of growing cucumbers successfully.
Understanding companion planting can further enhance your garden's health. For insights on which vegetables grow well together, you can learn more about companion planting on homegrown-garden.com.
5. Zucchini and Summer Squash
For gardeners seeking prolific producers, zucchini and other summer squashes are an excellent answer to the question of what you can plant in July. These heat-loving plants thrive in warm soil and grow exceptionally fast, often producing their first harvest in as little as 40 to 50 days. Planting in July allows you to bypass the early-season pest pressure from squash vine borers and still yield an abundant crop that can last until the first frost.
Their continuous production makes them a rewarding choice for both new and experienced gardeners. A few well-tended plants can supply a family with more than enough squash for fresh meals, grilling, and preserving.
Recommended Varieties and Planting Tips
Choosing the right variety ensures a successful mid-summer planting. In Southern July heat, unique Pattypan squash varieties are remarkably resilient. Gardeners in California often see fantastic results with the gourmet flavor of Costata Romanesco. For those with limited space or urban gardens, the compact Eight Ball zucchini produces round, single-serving-sized fruits without sprawling vines.
To ensure a bountiful and healthy harvest, follow these actionable tips:
- Plant in Hills: Create small mounds of soil and plant 3-4 seeds per hill. This improves drainage and soil warmth, which summer squash love.
- Pest Patrol: Check the base of stems weekly for the tiny, reddish-brown eggs of the squash vine borer and scrape them off to prevent infestation.
- Harvest Promptly: For the best flavor and texture, harvest zucchini and other summer squash when they are 6-8 inches long. Frequent harvesting encourages the plant to produce more fruit.
- Succession Planting: Sow a second round of seeds 3-4 weeks after your first July planting to guarantee a continuous supply well into the autumn months.
- Hand-Pollinate: If you notice flowers dropping without producing fruit, a lack of pollinators may be the cause. Use a small paintbrush to transfer pollen from male to female flowers in the morning.
With their rapid growth and generous yields, zucchini and summer squash are a fantastic and reliable addition to any July garden plan.
6. Swiss Chard
For gardeners looking for a beautiful and productive leafy green to plant in July, Swiss chard is an outstanding choice. This versatile vegetable is more heat-tolerant and bolt-resistant than spinach, performing exceptionally well in summer conditions. It provides a continuous harvest of nutritious leaves and colorful stems from a single planting, often lasting until the first hard frost.
Chard's dual-purpose nature makes it both an edible and an ornamental plant. Its vibrant stems can add a splash of color to vegetable beds and containers, making it a functional and aesthetic addition. It is an ideal crop for gardeners who want consistent greens throughout the hottest part of the year.
Recommended Varieties and Planting Tips
Choosing the right variety can enhance both your garden's look and your harvest size. For ornamental vegetable gardens, the multi-colored stems of Bright Lights are a stunning choice. Gardeners aiming for large, consistent harvests in community or family gardens will appreciate the productivity of Fordhook Giant. In the intense heat of the desert Southwest, Ruby Red chard has proven to be a resilient and reliable performer.
To ensure a thriving chard patch, follow these actionable tips:
- Continuous Harvest: Snip the outer leaves as needed, leaving the inner ones to grow. This encourages the plant to keep producing.
- Heat Protection: In extremely hot climates, provide afternoon shade to prevent the leaves from wilting or becoming bitter.
- Moisture and Cooling: Apply a generous layer of mulch around the base of the plants to retain soil moisture and keep the roots cool.
- Culinary Use: Harvest young, tender leaves for use in raw salads. Cook more mature, larger leaves as you would spinach.
The combination of heat tolerance, continuous production, and ornamental value makes Swiss chard a reliable and rewarding choice for any mid-summer garden plan.
7. Okra
For gardeners in hot climates searching for what you can plant in July, okra is an exceptional choice. This heat-loving vegetable thrives in the intense summer sun that causes many other crops to falter. Okra plants are not only productive, yielding a continuous supply of edible pods from late summer until the first frost, but their hibiscus-like flowers also add significant ornamental value to any garden space.
Its ability to produce heavily throughout the hottest months makes it a staple for ensuring your garden remains productive. The pods are versatile in the kitchen, perfect for frying, stewing, grilling, and pickling, making okra a rewarding addition to your mid-summer planting list.
Recommended Varieties and Planting Tips
Selecting a variety suited to your garden's purpose is key. For high yields in a traditional Southern kitchen garden, Clemson Spineless is a reliable and popular choice. If you want to blend edibles with ornamentals, the vibrant Red Burgundy adds a stunning splash of color. For those in extremely hot and dry regions like Texas, the Hill Country Heirloom variety is known for its exceptional resilience.
To cultivate a successful okra patch, follow these actionable tips:
- Harvest Promptly: Pick pods when they are 2-4 inches long for the best texture and flavor. Overly large pods become tough and woody.
- Daily Picking: During peak season, check plants and harvest daily to encourage continuous production.
- Protective Gear: The leaves and pods can cause skin irritation for some people, so wear gloves and long sleeves when harvesting.
- Proper Technique: Use pruning shears or a knife to cut the pod's stem. Pulling the pods can damage the plant and reduce future yields.
- Preservation: Use fresh pods within a few days, or preserve your bounty by blanching and freezing them whole for later use.
8. Asian Greens (Bok Choy, Mizuna, Tatsoi)
For gardeners asking what you can plant in July that thrives in the heat, many Asian greens are a superb choice. These fast-growing vegetables offer unique flavors and textures, with many varieties being more bolt-resistant than traditional European greens like spinach. Maturing in as little as 30 to 50 days, they are ideal for a quick turnaround harvest during the summer months.
Their rapid growth allows for succession planting throughout the warmest part of the year. Sowing new seeds every two to three weeks ensures a continuous supply of tender leaves for salads, stir-fries, and soups right up until the first frost, making them an incredibly productive addition to the mid-summer garden.
Recommended Varieties and Planting Tips
Selecting the right variety is key to avoiding premature bolting in summer heat. Summer Pac Choi varieties are known to perform well even in the intense heat of California's Central Valley. For a spicy kick, Red Giant Mustard is a resilient choice for hot Texas summers. In milder climates or container gardens, Mizuna provides a steady, cut-and-come-again harvest.
To guarantee a successful crop of Asian greens, follow these actionable tips:
- Succession Planting: Sow seeds every 2-3 weeks to maintain a consistent harvest of young, tender leaves.
- Afternoon Shade: In hot climates, plant where they will receive shade during the hottest part of the afternoon to prevent stress and bolting.
- Pest Protection: Use lightweight row covers immediately after planting to protect seedlings from flea beetles, a common pest for brassicas.
- Harvest Early: Harvest leaves when they are young and small for the best texture and a milder, less bitter flavor.
9. Fall Carrots
For gardeners planning ahead, July is the perfect time to plant for a delicious fall harvest, and carrots are an excellent choice. Sowing carrots in mid-summer allows them to mature during the cooler days of autumn. This cool weather triggers the plant to convert starches into sugars, resulting in roots that are exceptionally sweet and crisp-far superior in flavor and texture to those harvested in the heat of summer.
This counter-intuitive planting schedule leverages the end of the growing season to your advantage. By the time the roots are developing, the intense summer heat has subsided, reducing stress on the plants and enhancing their natural sweetness. This makes fall carrots a rewarding crop for those wondering what you can plant in July for a later, more flavorful yield.
Recommended Varieties and Planting Tips
Choosing the right variety ensures a successful fall crop. Nantes types are known for their classic shape and sweetness, thriving in the cool, moist conditions of the Pacific Northwest. For gardeners with heavy clay soil, the small, round Paris Market carrots are a superb choice. If you want to add visual appeal to your harvest, the vibrant Purple Haze is a stunning heirloom that performs well when planted for autumn.
To ensure a bountiful fall harvest, follow these actionable tips:
- Moisture for Germination: Carrot seeds require consistent moisture to sprout. Keep the seedbed evenly moist until seedlings appear, using a board or burlap cover to retain humidity if needed.
- Thin Aggressively: Once seedlings are a few inches tall, thin them to 2-3 inches apart. Crowded carrots will produce small, misshapen roots.
- Protect from Heat: In hot climates, use a shade cloth over the seedbed to keep the soil cool and aid germination during July's heatwaves.
- Prevent Green Shoulders: As the roots grow, mound soil around their exposed "shoulders" to prevent them from turning green and bitter from sun exposure.
- In-Ground Storage: Carrots store exceptionally well in the garden. In many climates, you can leave them in the ground and harvest as needed until a hard freeze.
10. Fall Brassicas (Broccoli, Cabbage, Cauliflower)
While it may seem counterintuitive to plant cool-season crops in the peak of summer, July is the perfect time to start fall brassicas like broccoli, cabbage, and cauliflower. By getting these seeds or transplants started now, you are positioning them to mature during the cooler, shorter days of autumn. This timing strategy allows the plants to develop sweeter flavors and superior head quality, as the chill of fall enhances their taste and texture.
Starting these vegetables mid-summer helps you bypass many of the pest issues that plague spring-planted brassicas. It also represents an efficient use of garden space, allowing you to get a second major harvest from a bed that may have just finished producing spring or early summer crops. Properly planning for this second season is a key step, and knowing how to prepare your garden for fall planting will set you up for success.
Recommended Varieties and Planting tips
Choosing the right variety is crucial for a successful fall harvest. Marathon broccoli is known to produce well into December in milder climates, while January King cabbage is a hardy variety that can survive harsh winters even in Zone 6. For a perfect autumn head, Snow Crown cauliflower is a reliable choice that thrives in fall conditions.
To ensure your brassicas flourish, follow these actionable tips:
- Indoor Start: Begin seeds indoors where you can control the temperature, as brassica seeds struggle to germinate in hot soil.
- Transplant Timing: Move your young plants into the garden in late July or early August, ideally on an overcast day to reduce transplant shock.
- Provide Shade: Use shade cloth to protect young transplants from the intense afternoon sun for the first couple of weeks until they are established.
- Pest Protection: Immediately cover transplants with lightweight row covers to prevent cabbage moths from laying eggs on the leaves.
- Consistent Feeding: Side-dress the plants with a layer of compost once a month to provide the steady nutrients they need for vigorous growth.
July Planting Comparison of 10 Crops
| Item | Implementation Complexity 🔄 | Resource Requirements ⚡ | Expected Outcomes 📊 | Ideal Use Cases 💡 | Key Advantages ⭐ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bush Beans | Moderate - easy planting, no staking | Low to moderate - no trellises needed | Quick 50-60 day harvest, moderate yield | Small gardens, succession planting | Compact growth, nitrogen-fixing, heat tolerant |
| Summer Lettuce Varieties | Low - easy sowing, partial shade needed | Moderate - consistent watering required | Fresh salad greens in summer, bolt resistant | Containers, partial shade, fresh summer salads | Heat tolerant, slow bolting, container friendly |
| Radishes | Very low - fastest maturity | Low - moisture needed, loose soil preferred | Very fast 25-30 day harvest, soil conditioning | Succession planting, intercropping, beginner gardeners | Ultra-fast growth, pest deterrent, edible leaves |
| Cucumber | Moderate - requires trellising for vines | High - high water, pest management | Continuous harvest 6-8 weeks, high yield | Warm climates, trellised gardens, pickling uses | Heat loving, productive, attracts pollinators |
| Zucchini and Summer Squash | Moderate - space intensive | Moderate - needs space and watering | Long season, prolific harvest 2-3 months | Large gardens, continuous fresh produce | Fast growth, versatile culinary uses, prolific |
| Swiss Chard | Low - simple cut-and-come-again harvest | Low to moderate - mulch and possible shade | Long harvest, heat tolerant | Ornamental edible gardens, summer heat tolerance | Heat and bolt resistant, colorful, nutritious |
| Okra | Moderate - tall plants, daily harvesting | Moderate - drought tolerant once established | Continuous summer-fall harvest, heat loving | Hot climates, Southern gardens, ornamental and culinary | Exceptional heat tolerance, high productivity |
| Asian Greens | Low - quick maturity, succession planting | Moderate - pest control needed | Fast 30-45 day harvest, bolt resistant | Stir-fries, salads, containers, quick summer harvest | Quick growth, diverse flavors, bolt resistance |
| Fall Carrots | Moderate - long maturity 70-80 days | Moderate - deep loose soil, consistent moisture | Sweet, storagable roots, fall harvest | Fall harvest, sweet flavor development | Sweet flavor from cool, long storage |
| Fall Brassicas | High - requires indoor start, transplant | Moderate to high - nursery phase, pest covers | Superior flavor and head quality in fall | Fall harvest, cool climates, pest-reduced seasons | Cold sweetened flavor, extended harvest |
Start Sowing for Your Second Season Success
July gardening is a masterclass in strategic thinking, transforming the mid-summer slowdown into a launchpad for autumn abundance. As we've explored, the key isn't to fight the heat, but to work with it by selecting the right plants. You now have a toolkit of 10 outstanding crops that prove July is far from a dormant month in the garden. From fast-growing Bush Beans that can fill an empty row in just two months to succession-sown Radishes offering a quick and peppery reward, your planting options are both diverse and exciting.
The question of what can you plant in July is really about planning for your future self. Sowing fall carrots now means you'll be pulling sweet, crisp roots from the soil when the first autumn chill arrives. Starting brassicas like broccoli and cabbage under shade cloth is an act of faith that pays off with hearty, frost-sweetened heads later in the year. This isn't just about filling space; it's about extending your harvest season and ensuring a continuous supply of fresh, homegrown food.
Your Path to an Abundant Autumn
To translate this knowledge into a thriving garden, focus on these core principles:
- Embrace Succession Planting: Don't view your garden as a one-time event. As spring crops like garlic or peas are harvested, immediately fill those gaps with heat-tolerant options like Swiss Chard, Okra, or Asian Greens. This continuous cycle maximizes your garden's productivity.
- Water Wisely: Deep, infrequent watering in the early morning is your most powerful tool against the summer sun. This encourages deep root growth, making plants more resilient to drought and heat stress. A thick layer of mulch is your second-best friend, conserving that precious moisture.
- Prepare for the Future: Your July planting list is divided into two main categories: fast crops for late summer (beans, squash, cucumbers) and slower crops for fall (carrots, brassicas). Prioritize getting those fall crops in the ground by the end of the month to give them enough time to mature before the days get significantly shorter and cooler.
By making smart, intentional choices now, you are setting the stage for a garden that remains vibrant and productive long after the peak of summer has passed. You are not just planting seeds; you are investing in a delicious, rewarding harvest that will carry you through the autumn months. Let this be the year your garden doesn't end in August but instead begins its exciting second act.
Ready to plant your second season with confidence? The success of your July sowings starts with high-quality seeds selected for vigor and flavor. Explore the curated collections at Homegrown Garden to find the perfect heirloom varieties of everything on this list, ensuring your autumn harvest is as delicious as it is abundant. Find your seeds for success at Homegrown Garden.
