As a seasoned gardener, I know July isn’t just a month of harvest, it’s also a critical time to start your next round of planting. While the heat might scare off beginners, experienced growers like us see July as a golden window for warm-season crops and quick-maturing veggies that thrive in longer days and higher soil temperatures. Whether you’re aiming for a late summer yield or prepping for a fall harvest, these 13 vegetables are ones I personally recommend planting in July.
Below, I’ll walk you through each one, with practical insights from my own experience to help you grow them successfully.
1. Bush Beans
Bush beans are my go-to for a fast, productive crop in mid to late summer. They mature quickly, often within 50 to 60 days, which means a July sowing still gives you plenty of time for a generous harvest. They love warm soil, so they germinate fast and grow vigorously in the heat.
I recommend planting them directly in the ground, about an inch deep and spaced a few inches apart. Choose a sunny spot and keep them consistently moist, especially in July’s sweltering conditions. I always mulch around the base to lock in moisture and keep the roots cool.
My favorite varieties include ‘Provider’ and ‘Blue Lake 274.’ They’re reliable, tender, and produce heavily. You’ll be amazed at how quickly you go from sprout to harvest, and trust me, nothing beats the taste of freshly picked beans.
2. Cucumbers
If you think you’re too late for cucumbers in July, think again. Quick-growing varieties can still produce a full crop before the first frost, especially in zones 6 and up. I’ve had great success with sowing cukes directly into warm July soil.
Stick to compact or pickling types like ‘Patio Snacker’ or ‘Bush Pickle’ if space is limited. They love the heat, but consistent watering is key, dry spells will give you bitter cucumbers. I trellis mine to keep the fruit clean and save space, which also improves air circulation and reduces disease pressure.
One pro tip: sow a few seeds every week through mid-July to stagger your harvest. You’ll enjoy crisp, juicy cucumbers into early fall, and you can pickle the excess for winter.
3. Summer Squash
Zucchini and other summer squashes are made for July planting. They’re fast, productive, and thrive in heat. I plant them in mounds of rich, composted soil, giving each plant plenty of space to sprawl.
By starting in July, you often miss the first wave of squash vine borers and powdery mildew. That means healthier plants and more fruit. I prefer ‘Eight Ball’ for its round fruit and ‘Gold Rush’ for its golden color and prolific yield.
Make sure to harvest regularly. Squash left too long on the vine gets oversized and loses flavor. With weekly harvesting and good airflow, you’ll enjoy tender squash through September.
Also Read: When to Harvest Broccoli for the Best Flavor, According to Farmers
4. Beets
Beets might not seem like a summer crop, but July is an excellent time to start them for a fall harvest. They don’t mind the heat early on and thrive as temperatures cool in late August and September.
I like to sow them directly in rows, spacing seeds about an inch apart and thinning seedlings to about three inches. Soak the seeds overnight before planting for quicker germination. Keep the soil moist and mulch well, young beets don’t like to dry out.
‘Detroit Dark Red’ and ‘Chioggia’ are two varieties I always come back to. The former is reliable and sweet, while the latter brings a candy-striped flair that turns heads at the dinner table.
5. Carrots
Carrots can be tricky in hot weather, but with some care, July sowing leads to a sweet, crisp fall crop. The key is keeping the soil moist while the seeds germinate, don’t let the top layer dry out, or you’ll lose them.
I sow carrots in loose, well-drained soil with no fresh compost (it causes forking). I prefer ‘Danvers 126’ or ‘Napoli’ for July planting, both mature in about 70 days and sweeten as temperatures drop.
Lay a board over the seeded row until you see sprouts; this helps retain moisture and keep the soil cool. Once they’re up, pull the board and thin them early to avoid crowding.
6. Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is heat-tolerant and colorful, making it a perfect choice for summer planting. It grows fast and produces over a long season, especially if you keep harvesting the outer leaves.
I sow chard directly and thin to 6-8 inches apart. Water consistently, and feed it with a liquid fertilizer every few weeks, it’s a leafy green, so it benefits from nitrogen. ‘Bright Lights’ is my go-to variety for its ornamental stems and tender leaves.
Swiss chard is a workhorse in my garden. It handles summer heat better than spinach and lasts deep into fall, especially if protected from frost.
7. Kale
Believe it or not, July is a great time to plant kale, especially if you want a bountiful fall harvest. It germinates quickly in warm soil and becomes sweeter after the first frost.
I sow kale directly into the garden or transplant starts I sowed indoors a few weeks earlier. Space them well, water regularly, and mulch heavily to hold moisture. ‘Lacinato’ and ‘Red Russian’ are my personal favorites, tender, flavorful, and visually striking.
Come September and October, you’ll be harvesting robust, nutrient-packed leaves when most other crops are fading. Kale is incredibly cold-hardy and will often survive into early winter with minimal protection.
8. Lettuce (Heat-Tolerant Varieties)
Lettuce can be tricky in summer heat, but not impossible, especially if you stick with bolt-resistant types like ‘Jericho,’ ‘Nevada,’ or ‘Muir.’ I plant mine in partial shade or under taller crops like corn or tomatoes to give them relief from the blazing sun.
I start lettuce in seed trays in a cooler part of the yard and transplant once they’ve hardened off. Keeping the soil consistently moist and mulching around the base helps prevent bitterness and bolting.
Harvest leaves early and often. In hot weather, the key is to treat lettuce as a cut-and-come-again crop rather than waiting for full heads.
9. Turnips
Fast-growing and surprisingly versatile, turnips are a perfect candidate for July planting. You can get both roots and greens from one plant, and they mature in as little as 40-60 days.
I sow turnips directly, spacing the seeds a couple of inches apart and thinning to 3-4 inches. Keep the soil evenly moist, especially in the first few weeks. ‘Hakurei’ is a standout variety, sweet, crisp, and great raw or cooked.
The greens are just as valuable as the roots. Harvest some early and leave others to grow. With proper care, turnips offer a double bounty just when other crops are winding down.
10. Radishes
Radishes are one of the fastest crops you can grow, perfect for squeezing into the July calendar. Many varieties mature in 25-30 days, meaning you can plant and harvest multiple rounds before fall.
I plant radishes in loose soil, an inch apart, and keep them well-watered. Hot, dry conditions can make them woody, so timing and moisture are everything. Try ‘French Breakfast’ or ‘Cherry Belle’ for reliable results.
I often interplant radishes with slower-growing crops. They sprout and mature quickly, acting as a sort of marker row while the others develop more slowly.
11. Collard Greens
Collards are one of the most underappreciated summer crops. They thrive in heat, tolerate poor soil, and become even sweeter after a light frost. I plant them in July for a steady supply into late fall.
I direct-sow or transplant collards and give them about 18 inches of space per plant. They don’t demand much, just steady watering and occasional feeding with a balanced fertilizer. ‘Georgia Southern’ is my pick for its rich flavor and vigor.
Harvest the outer leaves regularly and let the plant keep producing. Collards are tough, dependable, and surprisingly adaptable to a wide range of climates.
12. Spinach (Fall Varieties)
Spinach is more of a cool-weather crop, but by the end of July, I start sowing fall varieties like ‘Bloomsdale’ or ‘Space.’ It takes a bit of strategy, but if you wait for a cooler stretch or use shade cloth, you can get spinach going early for an autumn harvest.
I keep the soil cool by pre-soaking it and watering deeply before sowing. Spinach seeds can be slow to germinate in heat, but once they take, the plants grow steadily. Thin to about 4 inches apart.
Early planting sets you up for a lush crop once cooler nights return. You’ll thank yourself when you’re harvesting fresh greens while everyone else is pulling their spent tomato vines.
13. Green Onions (Scallions)
Last but not least, green onions. These hardy, compact alliums are ideal for July planting. They’re not fussy and grow well in containers or beds, making them a perfect gap-filler.
I direct-sow green onions in clusters, then thin as needed. Keep the soil moist and feed lightly once a month. ‘White Lisbon’ and ‘Ishikura’ are my go-to varieties, they grow fast and don’t bulb out, which is exactly what I want in a scallion.
They make a great addition to late-summer salads and soups, and you can keep harvesting the tops for weeks. Simple, fast, and endlessly useful, green onions are an underrated July star.
Final Thought
July might seem like the tail end of the growing season, but it’s actually a high-value time to plan, plant, and extend your harvest window. With smart crop selection and a little diligence, you can fill your garden with vibrant growth and reap the benefits all the way into fall.
Every one of these vegetables has earned its place in my garden through performance, resilience, and flavor, and I’m confident they’ll do the same in yours.
FAQs
Is July too late to start a vegetable garden?
Not at all. July is ideal for fast-growing warm-weather crops and fall-harvest vegetables. Focus on varieties that mature quickly and can handle summer heat.
Can I start seeds in July, or should I buy transplants?
Both work. For fast crops like radishes and beans, direct seeding is best. For longer-maturing crops, you can use transplants or start seeds indoors for later planting.
How do I keep my July-planted vegetables from wilting in the heat?
Water consistently, mulch heavily, and consider shade cloth for delicate greens. Morning watering is best to reduce evaporation.
What vegetables can I harvest in under 60 days from a July planting?
Try radishes, bush beans, summer squash, turnips, and green onions. These all mature quickly and do well in warm conditions.
Should I fertilize July plantings differently from spring ones?
Yes, because the soil is warmer, nutrients break down faster. Use a balanced or nitrogen-boosted fertilizer more frequently, especially for leafy greens.
