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July might feel like it’s too late to plant, but there’s still time to grow a productive vegetable garden. Yes, there’s still time for you to sow seeds and enjoy a fresh harvest later this season.
From fast-maturing vegetables to heat-tolerant staples, many of these can be direct-sown, while others may benefit from transplants if you’re short on time. The key is selecting varieties that can withstand summer heat and still mature before the first frost.
Here’s a list of vegetables you can plant in July to keep your garden going strong well into fall.
Beets
Sowing beets in July gives a head-start on the fall growing season, enabling you to harvest sweet roots and tender greens in about 50-60 days. Seeds can be sown in modules or directly in the ground, but make sure to keep the soil consistently moist.
Peas
Peas are often thought of as a cool-season crop and are normally grown in the spring. However, a second sowing in July will give delicious harvests from late summer to early fall.
Kale
Kale is the perfect winter crop for your balcony vegetable garden. This leafy green thrives in cooler temperatures and will produce a continuous supply of delicious leaves from fall to spring. Kale can withstand frost, hail, snow, and icy winds, making it one of the most robust balcony crops you can grow.
Swiss Chard
Swiss chard is a cool-season crop, but sowing a few seeds in July gives you a head start on the fall growing season. Swiss chard comes in several different colors and will produce a rainbow of nutritious leaves until late fall.
Kohlrabi
Kohlrabi is a cool-weather crop that can be planted mid-summer for a fall harvest. Kohlrabi grows with a bulbous stem that demands substantial nutrients from the soil. Kohlrabi has a relatively short growing season, typically around 55-60 days, which makes it great for mid-summer planting.
Spinach
Spinach often bolts in warmer weather, but if protected from direct sun with shade cloth will produce a crop of nutrient-rich leaves in 30-40 days, ideal for fresh salads. For optimal results, choose heat-resistant varieties that are less prone to bolting.
Beans
Both bush and pole beans can be planted in July. A second sowing of pole and bush beans in July extends the harvest season of these summer vegetable crops.
A good technique to use is to sow a row of
Pole beans will require support, such as a trellis or stakes, and regular harvesting will encourage continued production.
Cucumber
A second sowing of cucumbers in July extends the harvest period of this delicious salad vegetable, enabling you to pick crisp cucumbers from late summer to early fall. Seeds sown directly in the ground will germinate quickly in warm weather and start producing a crop within just a few weeks.
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Carrots
Carrot seeds germinate well in warm weather, provided the soil is kept consistently sweet. Sow seeds directly in the ground in July for harvests of sweet and crunchy roots in about 70-80 days.
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Dill
Plant
Radishes
Radishes should be sown every few weeks from late spring onwards to give regular harvests. July-sown radish seeds grow quickly, and you can expect to harvest the first crisp roots in about 30 days.
Zucchini
When sown directly in the ground, zucchini and summer squash grow rapidly and begin producing tender fruits in approximately 50-60 days. Most gardeners sow these low-maintenance plants in late spring, but an additional sowing in July yields extra harvests until the first frost.
Brussels Sprouts
Brussels sprouts are great for growing in July. Pair with sage for maximizing space and resources in your garden, promoting healthy growth for both plants.
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Broccoli
Broccoli can be sown in July for a fall harvest. Sow seeds in modules and transplant them after a few weeks, providing shade and consistent watering until the plants are well-established.
Cabbage
All brassica crops, including cabbages, can be sown in July for a fall harvest. Sow the seeds in modules and transplant them after a few weeks have passed. Provide shade and consistent watering until the plants are well-established. Cabbage thrives in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil.
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Corn
This is your last chance to plant corn. If you plan to do it, buy starts. Corn thrives in full sun and needs well-moisturized soil to grow well.
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