What to Plant in July for Vegetable and Herb Gardens

Learning the correct vegetables and herbs to plant in July can help you extend the harvest season into fall. Despite common perception, July is not too late to plant new seeds or young transplants—it all depends on finding the right species that can grow to maturity before the first frost date in your region. Many edibles, including both vegetables and herbs that yield multiple harvests, can be planted in midsummer for a fruitful bounty come fall. And while July may be too late for varieties like tomatoes or squash (depending on where you live), you can still pick seeds that work for your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone's climate pattern.

Finding Your Local Frost Date

It's important to know your local frost date since that first frost can damage leaves and even kill plants in your vegetable garden. Your fall harvest should occur before the local frost date. Because different plants have different time frames to reach maturity—some may reach maturity in 1-2 months, while others may reach maturity in 3 months—you will have to calculate backwards how many weeks you have left to grow plants to full maturity and harvest.

In colder regions, it could be helpful to grow plants in July from young transplants rather than sowing seeds to give yourself a head start before the first frost. You can check with your local university extension service to find the first frost date in your specific location.

To put this into perspective, most tomatoes take between 60 and 90 days to reach maturity for harvesting. To plant tomatoes in July, your region’s first frost date must be after October. Because frost dates are only estimates, it’s best to plant as early as possible in case a sudden frost happens before the projected date. Some plants reach maturity much faster, which may be a better option in colder regions.

Zones 2 and 3

Zones 2 and 3 include Alaska, the north-central United States, northern New England, and the Rockies. When gardeners in Southern California are at their peak harvest in July, those in cooler climates can still get going. Greens like arugula, spinach, parsley, and cilantro go to seed quickly in hot, dry temperatures. But sown by seed in cooler regions midsummer, these plants thrive and will produce well into fall. Root vegetables like beets and carrots also flourish when sown midsummer, as they can stand a little frostnip and can be left under the snowpack to harvest later for a sweeter taste. Broccoli and cabbage starts or transplants also stand a chance when planted in July. Provided the plants are irrigated thoroughly, the warm conditions will yield a tasty crop before the first hard frost.

• Arugula
• Beans (snap)
• Beets
• Broccoli
• Brussels sprouts (Zone 2)
• Cabbage
• Carrots (Zone 2)
• Chinese cabbage
• Cilantro
• Endive
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Lettuce (head and leaf)
• Parsley
• Radish
• Rutabaga
• Spinach
• Swiss chard
• Zucchini

Zones 4 and 5

Zones 4 and 5 include the northern Midwest states and southern New England. Radishes, turnips, beets, and carrots can all benefit from a second planting in zones 4 and 5, where warm fall weather is common. Radishes, with their relatively short maturation, will peak early and can be snacked on in late summer. (But they'll get woody if you leave them in the ground too long.) Brussels sprouts, basil, and leeks planted from seeds provide a nice addition to soups as the hot weather turns cool. And even late bloomers like winter squash planted from seeds can be harvested well into fall, as long as you have row covers to keep the frost off.

• Basil
• Beets
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Chinese cabbage
• Collard greens
• Green onion
• Kale
• Kohlrabi
• Leeks
• Radish
• Swiss chard
• Turnip
• Zucchini

Zones 6 and 7

Zones 6 and 7 include the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and the Mid-Atlantic states. Mild temperatures with late frost create optimal seasonal conditions for most vegetables in zones 6 and 7. But even still, waning light into the fall will be your growing caveat here. Plant arugula, kale, and lettuces for a second (or even third) round. Most will mature for salads in late August and early September. Traditionally enjoyed in spring, peas and radishes can also be given another go, starting in July. And the bolting nature of parsley, dill, and cilantro eases once the heat of summer passes. So try out these herbs, too, for dried spices all winter long.

• Artichoke
• Arugula
• Beets
• Brussels sprouts
• Broccoli
• Cabbage
• Carrots
• Cauliflower
• Cilantro
• Collard greens
• Dill
• Garlic
• Green onion
• Kale
• Lettuce
• Parsley
• Peas
• Pumpkin
• Radish
• Spinach
• Swiss chard
• Sweet corn
• Zucchini

Zones 8 to 10

Zones 8, 9, and 10 cover the southern United States and California. Vegetables that are late to mature in cooler climates do fine down south when sown in July. Lucky gardeners in this general region can plant nightshades, like peppers, tomatoes, and eggplant, and pick their ripe fruit from the vine into early winter. All types of squash can be planted in midsummer, and you can enjoy the delicacy of their blossoms in about a month, followed by their large, yummy veggies at harvest time. In the middle of summer, this climate tends to be too hot for most herbs. Still, dill and cilantro (traditionally grown in Mexico) may fare well, depending on the given season's weather pattern.

• Artichoke
• Brussels sprouts
• Cauliflower
• Cilantro
• Collard greens
• Corn
• Cucumbers
• Dill
• Eggplant
• Gourds
• Green onion
• Okra
• Onion
• Peas (Southern)
• Peppers
• Potatoes
• Pumpkin
• Squash
• Sweet corn
• Swiss chard
• Tomato
• Zucchini

Zones 11 to 13

Year-round growing is one of the many benefits of living in Hawaii, where melon, sweet potatoes, and even garlic can be planted in July. And no need to use starts here. Tropical temperatures combined with ample moisture create the ultimate environment for growing vegetables by seed. Nightshades also can be planted here in July (but wait for September to plant tomatoes). And since most herbs are perennials in this climate, add them at any point in the year as companions in your garden or ornamental additions to flower beds.

• Artichoke
• Eggplant
• Garlic
• Herbs (any)
• Melon
• Peppers
• Potatoes
• Sweet potato
• Tomato

Tips for Planting in July

• The July and August sun can feel oppressive, so schedule your time gardening in the summer and caring for your garden either in the morning or evening when it's cooler.
• Don't let your plants wilt under the summer sun. Use shade cloths on delicate plants that fade when the temperatures rise. If they're growing in containers, bring them in if the sun's rays are scorching them.
• Water your plants in the early evening. If you water them when the sun is its highest, the water will evaporate rather than reaching the plant's roots. But, if you water too late in the evening, the water could sit and eventually cause rot.
• Keep plants consistently moist through the most sweltering days of summer.