The Best Vegetables to Plant in July: Your Mid-Summer Garden Guide

Mid-Summer Planting: What to Grow in July

July marks the heart of summer gardening season – a time when many gardeners might think it's too late to start new plants. However, this mid-summer month actually offers perfect conditions for numerous vegetables that thrive in warmth and will reward you with harvests well into fall. Whether you have empty spots in your garden beds or are looking to maximize your growing space, July provides excellent opportunities to keep your garden productive.

With the right selection of vegetables and proper care techniques, your July plantings can be just as successful as those started in spring. Let's explore the best vegetables to plant in July and how to ensure they flourish despite the summer heat.

Quick-Growing Summer Vegetables

Some of the most rewarding July plantings are fast-growing vegetables that can go from seed to harvest in just a few weeks. These crops take advantage of the long days and warm soil to grow quickly, providing fresh produce before the season changes.

Beans and Peas

Beans are perfect for July planting, especially bush bean varieties that mature quickly in the summer heat.

Bush beans can be ready to harvest in as little as 50-55 days, making them ideal for mid-summer planting. These compact plants don't require trellising and produce abundantly in warm weather. Try varieties like 'Provider' or 'Blue Lake Bush' for reliable summer harvests.

Yard-long beans (also called asparagus beans) are heat-loving climbers that actually prefer the hot conditions of July. Unlike common green beans, these Asian varieties thrive when temperatures soar, producing impressive pods that can grow up to 18 inches long.

For peas, focus on heat-tolerant varieties like 'Wando' or 'Sugar Ann' snap peas, which can handle warmer temperatures better than spring varieties. Plant these in areas that receive afternoon shade to extend their growing season into the warmer months.

Planting tip: Soak bean and pea seeds overnight before planting to speed germination in the summer heat. Plant seeds slightly deeper than spring plantings (about 1-1.5 inches) to access cooler, moister soil.

Radishes and Salad Greens

Radishes are among the fastest-growing vegetables available, with some varieties ready to harvest in just 21 days. This makes them perfect for July planting when you want quick results. Heat-tolerant varieties like 'Cherry Belle' and 'White Icicle' perform particularly well in summer conditions.

For salad greens, focus on heat-resistant varieties that won't bolt (flower) as quickly in summer temperatures:

• Heat-tolerant lettuce varieties like 'Jericho,' 'Nevada,' and 'Summer Crisp' types can withstand warmer temperatures better than spring varieties.

• Arugula can be succession-planted every two weeks for continuous harvests. Look for slow-bolting varieties for summer planting.

• Swiss chard thrives in summer heat and continues producing for months. 'Bright Lights' offers colorful stems that add visual interest to your garden.

Growing tip: Provide afternoon shade for your summer salad greens using shade cloth or by planting them on the north side of taller crops like tomatoes or corn. Harvest in the morning when leaves are at their crispest, and pick outer leaves to allow plants to continue producing.

Heat-Tolerant Vegetables for July

Some vegetables don't just tolerate summer heat – they positively thrive in it. July is an excellent time to plant these heat-loving crops that will produce abundantly through the remainder of summer.

Tomatoes and Peppers

While most gardeners plant tomatoes in spring, July offers a second chance for those who missed the early planting window. For mid-summer planting, focus on:

• Quick-maturing determinate varieties like 'Early Girl' or 'Celebrity' that can produce fruit in 50-60 days

• Cherry tomatoes such as 'Sun Gold' or 'Sweet 100' which mature faster than larger varieties

• Heat-set varieties specifically bred to produce fruit even during high temperatures

When planting tomatoes in July, look for sturdy transplants rather than starting from seed, as this gives you a head start on the growing season. Plant them slightly deeper than they were in their containers to encourage strong root development.

Peppers absolutely love the heat of July and will often produce their best crops during the hottest months. Both sweet and hot peppers benefit from the consistent warmth:

• Sweet bell peppers like 'California Wonder' or 'Gypsy' thrive in summer heat

• Hot peppers including jalapeños, serranos, and cayennes produce more capsaicin (what makes them spicy) in hot weather

• Specialty peppers like shishitos or padróns make excellent mid-summer additions

According to research from the University of Florida Extension, peppers can continue setting fruit at temperatures up to 95°F, making them ideal for July planting in most regions.

Eggplants and Okra

Eggplants are tropical perennials grown as annuals in most gardens, and they absolutely thrive in July's heat. These heat-loving vegetables produce their best crops when temperatures remain consistently warm both day and night.

For July planting, consider compact varieties like 'Fairy Tale' or 'Patio Baby' that mature quickly. Asian eggplant varieties like 'Ping Tung Long' also perform exceptionally well in summer heat.

Okra might be the ultimate heat-loving vegetable for July planting. This Southern staple actually grows better as temperatures increase, making it perfect for the hottest part of summer:

• Okra seeds germinate best when soil temperatures are above 65°F

• Plants produce more pods in temperatures between 75-95°F

• Varieties like 'Clemson Spineless' and 'Emerald' are reliable producers

Okra can be direct-seeded in July and will often produce until frost, giving you months of harvests from a mid-summer planting. The beautiful hibiscus-like flowers make okra an ornamental addition to your garden as well.

Care tip: Both eggplants and okra benefit from regular harvesting to encourage continued production. Pick okra pods when they're 2-4 inches long for the most tender texture, and harvest eggplants when the skin is glossy for best flavor.

Fall Harvest Vegetables to Start Now

July is the perfect time to begin thinking about your fall garden. Many cool-season crops that will mature in autumn need to be started in mid-summer to give them enough time to develop before cold weather arrives.

Root Vegetables

Root vegetables planted in July will develop during the warm days of late summer and early fall, resulting in sweet, flavorful harvests as temperatures cool. Consider these options for July planting:

Carrots sown in July will develop during summer but mature as temperatures cool, which increases their sweetness. Look for heat-tolerant varieties like 'Napoli' or 'Yaya' for summer sowing. Keep soil consistently moist during germination, which can be challenging in July heat.

Beets are excellent candidates for July planting, as they grow quickly in warm soil but develop best flavor when they mature in cooler fall temperatures. Varieties like 'Red Ace' and 'Chioggia' perform well when sown in mid-summer. Beets can be harvested both for their roots and nutritious greens.

Turnips and rutabagas planted in July will be ready for harvest in fall when their flavors are at their peak. These often-overlooked root vegetables are easy to grow and store well for winter use.

According to the National Gardening Association, root vegetables planted in summer for fall harvest often have better flavor than spring-planted ones because they mature during cooling temperatures rather than warming ones.

Brassicas and Leafy Greens

July is the ideal time to start many cool-season crops that will mature in fall. These plants can be started from seed now to be ready for the cooler temperatures of autumn:

Broccoli and cauliflower seedlings started in July will mature during the cooler temperatures of fall, which helps them develop tight, flavorful heads. Start these indoors where it's cooler, then transplant when seedlings are 4-6 weeks old.

Kale and collard greens are incredibly cold-tolerant and actually taste sweeter after light frosts. Varieties like 'Lacinato' (Dinosaur kale) and 'Champion' collards can be direct-seeded in July for continuous harvests through fall and even winter in many regions.

Cabbage started in July will form heads during the cooler fall temperatures, reducing the risk of splitting that can occur with spring plantings. Quick-maturing varieties like 'Farao' or 'Gonzales' are good choices for mid-summer sowing.

Growing tip: When starting fall brassicas in July heat, provide afternoon shade and keep soil consistently moist. Consider using floating row covers to protect young seedlings from cabbage moths, which are often abundant in mid-summer.

Water Management for July Plantings

One of the biggest challenges of July planting is maintaining adequate soil moisture during hot, dry conditions. Proper watering techniques are essential for success:

• Water deeply and less frequently rather than providing shallow, daily watering. This encourages deeper root growth.

• Apply mulch around newly planted vegetables to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperatures.

• Consider drip irrigation or soaker hoses to deliver water directly to plant roots, reducing evaporation.

• Water in the early morning when evaporation rates are lower and plants have time to dry before evening, reducing disease risk.

For container gardens, you may need to water twice daily during extreme heat. Self-watering containers or water-absorbing polymers mixed into potting soil can help maintain consistent moisture levels.

Conclusion: Your Mid-Summer Garden Success

July offers gardeners a valuable opportunity to extend the growing season and enjoy fresh harvests well into fall. By selecting heat-tolerant varieties for immediate production and starting cool-season crops for fall harvests, you can maximize your garden's productivity throughout the year.

Remember these key points for July planting success:

• Choose quick-maturing varieties for immediate harvests

• Provide extra care during the establishment phase, including consistent watering and afternoon shade if needed

• Take advantage of the warm soil to start fall crops that will mature as temperatures cool

• Use succession planting techniques to ensure continuous harvests

With thoughtful planning and proper care, your July garden plantings can be just as productive and rewarding as those started in spring. The mid-summer garden offers unique opportunities to grow vegetables that thrive in heat while preparing for the abundance of fall.

Happy growing—your garden journey continues even in the heart of summer!