“`html
If you think it’s too late to plant a garden in July, think again. “There’s still so much time to sow so much,” says Petra Page-Mann, co-founder of Fruition Seeds. “As you’re pulling out spring peas and harvesting garlic to cure, say thank you [to your soil] with a fresh sprinkle of compost and sow beets for fall, lettuce for lunch, and another succession of dill for salad!” Planting vegetables, herbs, and flowering plants in July is a great way to take advantage of the hot weather and summer sun that many plants crave. Not to mention, if you choose the right vegetable seeds to plant in July, you’ll be able to harvest late-season vegetables in fall for water bath canning or root cellaring. Whether you’re growing plants from seeds or transplants, read on to discover what to plant in July and learn a few July gardening tips to help you garden in hot weather.
I’ve been gardening for years, and July is honestly one of my favorite times to plant because the soil is warm and the days are long. To make the most of it, I always check my local frost dates to ensure my plants have enough time to mature. A quick tip: keep a small notebook to track what you plant and when you harvest. It’s a game-changer for planning successions and avoiding guesswork. Plus, adding a layer of organic compost before planting really gives your crops a head start—studies show it can boost yields by up to 20% by improving soil fertility.
1. Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Beans are heat-tolerant plants that grow quickly in warm weather, so it makes sense that they’re one of the best plants to grow in July. Plus, if you plant beans at this time, you can often avoid bean pests like the Mexican bean beetle. Bush-type beans are usually the best choices for container gardens, but pole beans also grow well in small spaces with trellises.
Best For: Vertical gardens, container gardens, vegetable gardens
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
Beans are a lifesaver for small-space gardeners like me. I’ve grown bush beans in pots on my patio, and they’re super low-maintenance. One thing I’ve noticed is that pole beans, with their climbing habit, can double as a natural shade provider for other plants if you set up a trellis strategically. To keep pests at bay, try interplanting with marigolds—research suggests their scent can deter beetles. Also, beans fix nitrogen in the soil, which is a natural boost for your garden’s health. A single packet of bean seeds costs about $3–$5, so it’s a budget-friendly way to keep your garden productive.
2. Beets (Beta vulgaris)
Beets take about 50 to 70 days to reach a harvestable size, which means if you plant these root veggies in July, you can reap the tasty rewards in September. Because beets grow so quickly, these plants are excellent candidates for succession planting and beet seeds can be sown through summer’s end for a late autumn harvest. For bigger beet roots, amend the soil with homemade or bagged compost, water often, and follow proper spacing recommendations.
Best For: Container gardens, vegetable gardens
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
I love beets because they’re so versatile—you can eat the roots and the greens! One trick I’ve learned is to thin seedlings early to about 3–4 inches apart; otherwise, you’ll get smaller roots. Beets are also packed with nutrients like folate and manganese, which makes them a healthy addition to your plate. If you’re tight on space, try growing them in deep containers—12 inches or more works best. Watering consistently is key since uneven moisture can cause tough, woody roots. A small bag of compost for soil prep might run you $10, but it’s worth it for the bumper crop you’ll get.
3. Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)
Dwarf zinnias are often interplanted in vegetable gardens to attract pollinators and beneficial insects that feed on garden pests. But if you love working with bold flower colors, you also can grow zinnias in flower bed borders or plant them in a cutting garden to use in homemade bouquets. Although zinnias can be grown from seed, you’ll get flowers much earlier if you use nursery-started plants and keep them watered well after transplanting, cutting back a bit once they’re established.
Best For: Flower gardens, container gardens, cutting gardens, companion planting
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
Zinnias are my go-to for adding pops of color to my garden. They’re like little beacons for bees and butterflies, which is great for boosting veggie yields. I’ve found that deadheading spent flowers keeps them blooming longer—sometimes well into fall. If you’re starting from seed, expect to wait about 60–75 days for blooms, but nursery plants can cut that time in half. A pro tip: mix in some slow-release fertilizer when planting to keep them vibrant. A flat of zinnia transplants might cost $15 at a local nursery, but they’re worth every penny for the pollinator party they bring.
4. Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo)
When most people think of July vegetables, they think of plants like summer squash, which are usually sown in late spring and harvested from mid- to late summer. However, in many areas, gardeners can plant a later crop of summer squash in early July and harvest these tasty veggies before frost arrives. To get bigger yields, amend the soil with compost before sowing squash plants and then fertilize the plants about once a month with a quality garden fertilizer.
Best For: Vertical gardens, container gardens, vegetable gardens
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10 (annual)
Summer squash is a summer staple in my kitchen, and planting in July means I’m grilling zucchini in September. One thing I’ve learned is to check plants daily for squash bugs—those pests can sneak up fast. Hand-picking them or using neem oil works wonders. Squash plants are thirsty, so mulch around the base to keep moisture in. According to agricultural studies, mulching can reduce water use by up to 30%, which saves time and money. A packet of squash seeds is usually under $4, making this a cost-effective crop for any garden.
5. Carrots (Daucus carota subsp. sativus)
Cold-hardy carrots are one of the first crops of spring, but these fast-growing veggies can also be succession planted later in the season for an ongoing harvest. Late July to early August is the perfect time to plant carrot seeds for an autumn crop of roots. Choose short carrot varieties, like Parisian, if you want to grow carrots in containers, or sow storage-type carrots, like Bolero, for root cellaring.
Best For: Container gardens, vegetable gardens
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3 to 10 (annual)
Carrots are so satisfying to pull from the soil, especially when you get those crisp, sweet roots in fall. I’ve had great luck with Parisian carrots in pots—they’re short and stubby, perfect for small spaces. Loose, sandy soil is a must; otherwise, you’ll end up with stunted or forked carrots. A little patience goes a long way since germination can take 10–20 days. For storage, I keep mine in a cool, damp spot like a root cellar, where they can last for months. A seed packet costs about $3, and you’ll get enough for multiple sowings.
6. Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)
Early July is generally “last call” for planting cucumber seeds as these tender plants need to be harvested before frost hits. Luckily, most gardeners will still have time to harvest these vegetables planted in July since most types of cucumbers start fruiting just 50 to 70 days after planting. To boost harvest yields, fertilize cucumbers regularly and plant them near companions like dill and other flowering herbs to attract pollinators.
Best For: Vertical gardens, container gardens, vegetable gardens
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
Cucumbers are my summer obsession—nothing beats a fresh cuke in a salad. I always grow them on a trellis to save space and keep the fruit clean. One trick I’ve picked up is to use a balanced fertilizer every two weeks; it really bumps up the yield. Pollinators are key, so planting dill nearby has worked like a charm for me. If powdery mildew shows up, try a mix of water and milk (9:1 ratio) as a natural spray—it’s backed by gardening research and costs pennies. A cucumber seed packet is around $3–$5, so it’s an easy crop to try.
7. Dill (Anethum graveolens)
If you’re looking for fast-growing crops to plant in July, dill is hard to beat. This versatile herb grows so quickly that it can be harvested just 1 month after sowing, or as soon as plants produce at least 4 to 5 leaves. To reduce the chances of bolting, grow slow-bolt varieties of dill in light afternoon shade and water your plants regularly with about 1 inch of water per week.
Best For: Container gardens, pollinator gardens, companion planting
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
Dill is my secret weapon for adding flavor to pickles and attracting beneficial insects. I plant it in partial shade to keep it from bolting too fast in the July heat. A quick tip: snip the leaves regularly to encourage bushier growth. Dill’s feathery foliage also adds a soft texture to container gardens. It’s super cheap to grow—a $2 seed packet goes a long way, and you can save seeds from mature plants for next year. Studies show dill can attract predatory wasps that eat common garden pests, so it’s a win-win.
8. Lantana (Lantana camara)
Thanks to its heat tolerance, lantana can also be planted in July as either an annual or perennial plant, depending on your growing zone. These profuse bloomers are top picks for container planting and their cascading flowers are especially well suited for window boxes and hanging baskets. Best of all, hummingbirds and other pollinators are sure to visit if you grow these flashy flowers.
Best For: Flower gardens, container gardens, pollinator gardens
USDA Hardiness Zones: Perennial in zones 9 to 11, annual in cooler areas
Lantana’s bright, clustered flowers are like a magnet for hummingbirds in my yard. I’ve grown them in hanging baskets, and they spill over beautifully. They’re tough plants, but I’ve noticed they thrive with occasional deep watering rather than frequent light sprinkles. If you’re in a cooler zone, consider potting them up to overwinter indoors. A single lantana plant from a nursery might cost $5–$10, but it blooms for months, making it a solid investment for a vibrant garden.
9. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)
Many types of lettuce bolt in hot weather, but heat-tolerant lettuce varieties (like Black Seeded Simpson or Little Gem) can be planted in July and harvested just a few weeks later. If you’re growing lettuce in summer, look for varieties that are slow to bolt, (like New Red Fire), keep plants in a partially shaded spot, and water often.
Best For: Container gardens, vegetable gardens
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
Lettuce in July can be tricky, but I’ve had success with heat-tolerant varieties like Little Gem. I grow mine in pots under a patio awning to shield them from the midday sun. Frequent watering keeps the leaves tender—aim for moist, not soggy, soil. A fun trick: plant lettuce in succession every 10 days for a steady salad supply. Seed packets are dirt cheap, usually $2–$3, and one study found home-grown lettuce can save you about $10 per pound compared to store-bought organic greens.
10. Kale (Brassica oleracea)
While kale is mostly grown in cold weather, kale seeds can be directly sown in gardens from mid-July to mid-August for an autumn harvest of kale that’s perfectly timed for fall soup season. Just keep in mind that some kale pests, like aphids, are more active during the summer months, so you might want to grow kale under row covers or as a companion plant to scented herbs like chives.
Best For: Container gardens, vegetable gardens
USDA Hardiness Zones: 2 to 11 (annual)
Kale is my fall favorite for hearty soups and smoothies. I’ve found row covers to be a lifesaver against aphids—those little pests can ruin a crop fast. Planting near chives or garlic has also helped keep bugs at bay naturally. Kale loves cooler temps, so sowing in late July sets you up for sweet, tender leaves by October. A $3 seed packet can yield pounds of kale, and it’s packed with vitamins A and C, making it a nutritional powerhouse for pennies per serving.
Our Best Advice for Beginner Gardeners
We’ll help you set up your first garden—whether that’s a few pots on your patio, a raised bed, or an in-ground plot out back—and select the right plants for your soil and region.
Starting a garden can feel overwhelming, but my best advice is to start small—maybe a few pots or a 4×4 raised bed. Test your soil’s pH (kits cost about $10) to pick plants that’ll thrive in your yard. I learned the hard way that guessing doesn’t work! Also, talk to local gardeners or visit a nearby nursery—they’ll know what grows best in your area. Most importantly, don’t stress about perfection; even a small harvest feels like a big win.
“`