It's Not Too Late to Plant in July, Even in a Colder Climate
It's July, so it's pretty much time to stop planting in the garden, give the plants that are still growing time to finish up, and then call it a season, right?
Wrong!
There are so many delicious and productive plants you can still put in the garden this month, as long as you have 65 to 75 days until your first anticipated frost. You can actually sow seeds in the garden almost every month of the year, but we're going to focus today on seeds you can direct sow this month. That means you can pop them right in the soil—you don't have to worry about starting them inside or anything. It couldn't be easier. You can just plant these 14 seeds and watch the magic happen.
July Planting List
Here are all the incredible leafy greens, flowers, and veggies you can still start from seed in your garden this month:
- Arugula
- Basil
- Bush beans
- Cosmos
- Cucumbers
- Dwarf marigolds
- Mizuna
- Nasturtiums
- Pole beans
- Red lettuce
- Small sunflowers
- Squash
- Zinnias
- Zucchini
Leafy Greens You Can Still Plant in July
You Can Plant Leafy Greens That Don't Mind the Heat in July
Even though your first frost may just be a couple months away, it's probably pretty hot where you live in July. That means you need some fast-growing leafy greens that thrive in higher temperatures. Most of our lettuce plants prefer the cooler temps we enjoy in spring and fall, but there are still greens that can hang on in the heat. These plants will grow really quick and give you tons of leafy harvests before the temps start to drop in the fall.
My top three plants that fit this bill are mizuna, arugula, and red lettuce. Not only are they beautiful, red lettuces can handle the heat better than their green counterparts.
All three of these greens can be planted directly in the soil in the middle of July. You'll just want to make sure to keep the soil moist while you're waiting on them to sprout. Check out our tips to grow mizuna, arugula, and red lettuce.
Herbs You Can Still Plant in July
Basil Loves Growing in the Heat of July
You can plant herbs throughout your entire growing season, but since we're focusing on plants you can start by seed, we need a fast-growing herb. And that's basil. The summer is a great time to stick some extra basil seeds in empty spots in your kitchen garden. These little herbs will grow so quickly with the high temps, and you'll be harvesting yummy basil leaves before September!
Make sure to explore all the different types of basil you can grow in your garden and our best growing tips.
Fruiting Plants You Can Still Plant in July
Plant Bush Beans and Pole Beans in the Garden in July
Some of the easiest plants to grow by seed directly in the garden in July are beans. Grow pole beans up a trellis or line the edge of your raised beds with bush beans so they can drape over the sides. Beans grow and finish within about 60 to 75 days, meaning if you plant them right now, you'll get a guaranteed harvest before your first frost.
Learn more about growing bush beans and pole beans from seed.
Cucumbers, Squash, and Zucchini Are Great Plants to Direct Sow in July
It might be too hot or too late to grow tomatoes, but you still have time to plant cucumbers, squash, and zucchini in the month of July. These plants finish in just 55 to 65 days. You'll get lots of fruit before the cooler weather arrives, and you'll be able to fill in large empty spots in your garden in the middle of summer.
Check out these tips for growing cucumbers, squash, and zucchini in raised beds.
Flowers You Can Still Plant in July
There Are Many Flowers to Add to the Garden by Seed in July
Some of my favorite flowers to plant this month are dwarf marigolds, small sunflowers, cosmos, nasturtiums, and zinnias, particularly smaller zinnias. All of these can be planted directly by seed in the garden and will give you beautiful blooms before frost arrives.
Check out our tips for growing marigolds and zinnias from seed.
Time to Do Some July Planting!
If you think of all the varieties there are of each plant I've mentioned here, you literally have hundreds of different seeds you can plant this month! For me, my most difficult gardening task will now be finding a place in the garden to put all the plants I still want to grow.
Take this as your reminder that the garden does not need to shut down for the season in July, August, September, or even October. We've still got many months left to grow—you just have to time your plants right.
So, grab some seeds and head out to your garden for another season of growing and harvesting.
Never Miss a Planting Date Again!
