Although this was never my concern as an experienced gardener, I see many beginners on the internet questioning whether they can plant vegetables in July and have them grow well.
This seemed a little odd to me since I’ve never had my planting options limited by certain months. As a matter of fact, there’s almost always something you can plant in all 12 months of the year, especially when you remember that we can also grow indoors (something we often forget about).
Since the month of July is just around the corner, in today’s article, let’s discuss what vegetables we can plant in this month ideally for a late summer harvest.
But First…Can You Still Plant Vegetables In July?
The answer is YES, ofcourse you can still plant vegetables in July!
I admit that it is a slightly unconventional month for planting since July tends to be on the warmer end of the spectrum, but nonetheless, there are still some solid planting options you can work with.
And, don’t worry, it’s not too late or anything. Quick growers and heat-loving vegetables can still thrive in July conditions.
July planting is also ideal for succession-growing (once early crops finish) in smaller garden beds and containers.
Vegetables You Can Still Plant In July
1: Bush Beans
Bush beans are typically the first planting choice for zones 3-10. They love the July heat, are super fast-growing, and great for succession planting.
Bush beans are great for containers, grow bags, and raised garden beds. Thanks to their quick growth, they give you planting opportunities multiple times a year.
For a bigger bush bean harvest, take a look at these tips for growing more beans from fewer plants.
2: Zucchini
Like beans, zucchini too takes very little time to grow fully (45-60 days) and become ready for harvest. This hardy vegetable thrives in zones 4-10 and should be sown directly into the ground in July. Zucchini is best planted in large containers (at least 5-gallon ones) or small garden beds.
And for a bigger zucchini harvest, these tips can really help you maximize your yield!
3: Cucumbers
Bush cucumber varieties like ‘Spacemaster’ are ideal for tight spaces and corners in a small garden. They can take 55-65 days to grow in zones 4-10 and are perfect for containers with a trellis.
And if you want more cucumbers with less fuss, this guide has a few tips worth following.
4: Lettuce
Heat-tolerant lettuce varieties like ‘Jericho’ or ‘Buttercrunch’ grow well in zones 5-9 with some shade during hotter parts of the day. They’re ready in about 30-45 days of planting and are best grown in shallow containers, window boxes, or shaded raised beds.
5: Swiss Chard
Despite its delicate look, Swiss chard is quite a hardy leafy green that can withstand the July heat and regrow after cutting.
Plant this one in zones 3-10 in deep pots or small garden rows. Fast Swiss chard growth ensures the leafy green will be ready to harvest in no more than 50-65 days!
But if yours ends up tasting bitter, here’s what might be causing it and how to fix it.
6: Beets
In zones 3-9, beets can grow relatively fast and become ready to harvest in just about 50-70 days. This deep red vegetable is perfect for containers that are over 8 inches deep, as well as deep raised beds.
7: Radishes
Radishes have to be the fastest-growing vegetable in this entire list. It’s ready to harvest in 25-35 days, especially if you plant it in milder July zones like 3-9. Most gardeners prefer to plant radishes in gaps or between slower-growing crops.
8: Carrots (Early Varieties)
Early carrot varieties like ‘Adelaide’ or ‘Little Finger’ can do extremely well in zones 4-9. They’re best grown in deep containers or loose raised beds and are ready to harvest in just about 60-75 days.
9: Kale
As much as I love spinach, kale is my personal favorite when it comes to leafy greens. In zones 3-9, kale is ready to harvest in 50-70 days of planting. Thanks to its hardy and resilient nature, it can withstand both heat and frost.
Kale is best grown in containers and garden edges, while being a solid option for succession planting.
10: Green Onions (Scallions)
Green onions, due to their strong scent, are a natural pest repellent in the garden. They grow very well in zones 3-10 and are ready to harvest in about 50-60 days of planting.
Their compact growth allows them to be planted between other crop rows and still thrive.
11: Turnips
Turnips love outdoor heat for growth and are best planted in zones 3-9 between June and July for a late summer harvest. They’re quick to grow (45-60 days) and can be sown directly into the ground without any hassle whatsoever.
But here are a few more heat-tolerant vegetables worth considering for your summer garden too.
Let’s Conclude
No matter how much someone on the internet tries to convince you that planting in July means you’re too late and all your plants will get cooked in the heat, just don’t give in to that belief.
It’s not too late! I’ve grown bush beans and Swiss chard multiple times in my mom’s garden in the month of July and enjoyed the quick harvests shamelessly. Just get familiar with your zone, pick your best planting options, and sow the seeds without overthinking it!
How do I get seed and wear to go in how much is it
Hi! 😊 If you’re looking to start a vegetable garden, you can usually find seeds at local garden centers, hardware stores, or online (places like Burpee, Baker Creek, or even Amazon). Most seed packets cost between $2–$5, depending on the variety.
To plant them, just check the instructions on the back of the seed packet, it’ll tell you how deep to plant, how far apart, and how long until harvest. If you let me know what zone you’re in, I can help with what to plant right now too!
I planted 56 corn seeds from two different types of packages which were purchased at Lowe’s this year. One plant grew that was it.
Hi Sharain! Oh no, that’s so frustrating! 😫 Sometimes it’s a bad seed batch or old stock, my mom had the same thing happen with store-bought beans once. If the soil and watering were right, I’d definitely try seeds from a more reliable source next time, maybe even a local nursery or seed company you trust.