July may feel like the height of summer heat, but it’s still a great time to plant! Whether you're working with a backyard plot or a few containers on your balcony, there are plenty of vegetables, herbs, flowers, and even fruit you can sow now for a late summer or fall harvest. Here’s what to plant in July—and a few extra tips to help your garden thrive.
🥕 Vegetables to Plant in July
- Carrots – Choose a quick-maturing variety and keep the soil consistently moist.
- Beets – Great for fall harvest. Both roots and greens are edible.
- Bush beans – These grow fast and love warm soil.
- Lettuce – Opt for heat-resistant varieties like romaine or butterhead. Provide some afternoon shade if possible.
- Radishes – Perfect for succession planting and ready in as little as 25 days.
- Swiss chard – Tolerant of heat and productive into fall.
- Cucumbers – Great time to plant a second crop, especially in containers or raised beds.
🌼 Flowers to Plant in July
Want to brighten up your garden or attract pollinators? These flowers are great choices for July planting:
- Sunflowers – Fast-growing and striking; great for kids too!
In July, it's best to choose compact, fast-maturing varieties such as ‘Teddy Bear’ or ‘Autumn Beauty’, which bloom more quickly and thrive even when planted later in the season. - Zinnias – Heat-loving annuals that bloom until frost.
- Marigolds – Pest-deterring and colorful, they’re perfect for borders or companion planting.
- Nasturtiums – Edible flowers that also repel aphids and beetles.
- Cosmos – Drought-tolerant and ideal for pollinator gardens.
🍓 Fruits & Herbs to Consider
Though fruit trees are best planted in spring or fall, certain fruits and herbs can still be started in July:
- Strawberries (bare root or potted) – Great time to start everbearing types for a light fall harvest.
- Basil – Fast-growing and perfect for pesto season.
- Dill & Cilantro – Plant now for late summer herb harvests.
- Oregano & Thyme – Perennials that can be started now and enjoyed year after year.
🌿 Thinking about growing herbs for wellness, not just flavor?
Now is the perfect time to start a healing herb garden — and if you're not sure where to begin, the Medicinal Gardening Kit is a beginner-friendly way to grow your own natural remedies. It includes seeds, guides, and practical tips to grow powerful plants used in herbal teas, tinctures, and more — right from your own backyard.
🌞 Extra July Gardening Tips
- Water deeply and early – Avoid evaporation by watering early in the morning, and give roots a good soak rather than a light sprinkle.
- Mulch, mulch, mulch – Use straw, bark, or compost to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep soil cool.
- Provide shade for delicate plants – A simple shade cloth or even an umbrella can prevent heat stress in lettuce, herbs, or seedlings.
- Harvest often – Picking veggies like beans, cucumbers, or herbs regularly encourages more growth.
- Watch for pests – July heat can bring spider mites, aphids, and beetles. Try neem oil or introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs.
- Succession planting – Stagger your plantings every 1–2 weeks for a continuous harvest into the fall.
🌿 Final Thoughts
Gardening in July isn’t just possible—it’s rewarding! With the right crops and care, you can enjoy a delicious late-summer harvest and even set the stage for your fall garden.
And if you’re curious about growing your own natural remedies, the Medicinal Gardening Kit offers an easy and inspiring way to start. Happy planting!
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