Whether you're battling summer heat in Zone 8 or savoring the peak growing season in Zone 4, here's how to make the most of your July garden.
What to Plant in July
Seeds to Direct Sow (For Late Summer & Fall Harvests)
July is ideal for second plantings of fast-growing crops and cool-weather favorites:
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Bush Beans – Sow now for a late summer harvest (choose quick-maturing varieties like 'Provider').
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Carrots & Beets – Plant in loose soil; keep moist for good germination.
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Cucumbers & Summer Squash – Still time for another round if pests haven’t taken over.
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Greens – Heat-resistant kale, Swiss chard, and collards thrive when planted now for fall.
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Radishes – Ready in just 3-4 weeks; perfect for filling gaps.
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Turnips & Daikon Radishes – Great for fall harvests and storage.
Transplants to Get in the Ground
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Brussels Sprouts & Cabbage – Start now for a fall harvest (they love cooler temps).
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Broccoli & Cauliflower – Best started as transplants in July for autumn picking.
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Herbs – Basil, dill, and cilantro can still go in (shade them in hot climates).
Flowers to Sow Now
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Calendula – Hardy, edible, and great for pollinators.
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Sunflowers – Quick-growing varieties will still bloom before frost.
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Zinnias & Cosmos – Keep sowing for continuous color.
July Garden Tasks (Stay Ahead!)
✔ Water deeply & wisely – Early morning is best; avoid wetting leaves to prevent disease.
✔ Mulch heavily – Keep soil cool and conserve moisture (straw, leaves, or compost work great).
✔ Prune & trellis – Remove diseased tomato leaves, train vines, and support heavy plants.
✔ Fertilize strategically – Side-dress heavy feeders (tomatoes, peppers, corn) with compost.
✔ Harvest & Deadhead regularly – Pick zucchini small, beans young, and tomatoes at peak ripeness. Pick flowers regularly and remove spent flower heads for continuous blooms.
Common July Mistakes (And How to Avoid Them)
🚫 Letting weeds go to seed → Pull them now or regret it next year.
🚫 Overlooking pests → Squash bugs, tomato hornworms, and cucumber beetles are out in force—handpick or use organic controls.
🚫 Neglecting to succession plant → Keep sowing for continuous harvests into fall.
🚫 Watering too shallowly → Deep, infrequent watering encourages strong roots.
What About Other Zones?
Zones 1-3: Make Every Day Count
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Fast-maturing crops only – Peas, radishes, spinach, and lettuce.
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Start hardening off fall brassicas (broccoli, cabbage) for transplanting in August.
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Protect plants from early frosts with row covers.
Zones 9-10: Surviving (and Thriving) in the Heat
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Focus on heat lovers – Okra, sweet potatoes, Southern peas.
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Prep for heavy rains – Ensure good drainage to avoid root rot.
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Start pumpkins now for Halloween harvests!
A Little July Wisdom
July’s garden is a living classroom with equal parts abundance and challenges. Gardening teaches us to be present, adapt, learn and enjoy the fruits (and veggies) of our labor.
This is the month when gardening becomes less about control and more about witnessing nature’s resilient, glorious persistence.
Happy Gardening!
Irma, Dig.®🌱
P.S. Tag us with #CanYouDigIt—we love seeing your July gardens triumph!