What to Plant in Late July

July is the hottest and best month of the growing season since both air and soil temperatures are hot. The long hot days of this month, combined with good light levels, accelerate the germination process, help you extend your vegetable crop season, and boost annuals and perennials in the garden.

July is the ideal time to plant for a bountiful fall harvest of many vegetables, herbs, and flowers. Many flowering shrubs will thrive in warmer temperatures of July to breathe life into your garden if you live in a cool region and plant crops that mature before the first fall frost in your area. However, if you are in a warm region where the first frost comes later in the fall, you can grow crops that take longer to mature. Here is the list of vegetable, herb, and flower varieties perfect for planting in July, depending on your hardiness zone.

Vegetables to Plant in Late July

Here are the vegetables to plant in late July for a bumper fall crop.

Pumpkins

It is late July, so get your pumpkin seeds in the ground, and they will be ready to harvest by fall. Pumpkins require warm soil, a lot of space, and full sun exposure to grow. Give these plants plenty of space in your garden to mature. Keep trimming the pumpkin vines so that the plant can focus on producing fruit. Whether you want to grow pumpkins for baking, carving, or autumn decorating, now is the time to plant them. Plant compact varieties such as orange smoothie and wee-B-little if your garden has limited space.

Radishes

Plant radishes in late July or mid-August and enjoy harvest 60 days later. Radishes are easy to grow, quick to mature, and pest-free crops. They add peppery bursts and lovely color to salads. Radishes can also be grown as companion plants with other crops.

Beans

Beans are one of the best vegetables to grow in late July. The warm days of July allow the pods to mature before the first fall frost. Beans love warm weather, allowing seeds to germinate quickly. Many bean lovers sow beans every 1-2 weeks for a steady supply of crisp pods. Bush and pole beans usually require a trellis to climb. They are prolific, so pick them often for an abundant harvest.

Greens

Leafy greens like lettuce and Swiss chard are quick, easy to grow, and hardy. You can sow them till August to enjoy the fresh salad come fall. Sow seeds in pots or shallow holes. Not only in summer, but you can also easily grow and enjoy fresh greens in the fall. You will get a better crop in the fall because the weather is cooler, and leaf vegetables love cooler weather. Green crops that are perfect to plant in late July include lettuce, spinach, Swiss chard, parsley, cilantro,

Turnips

Turnips are a delicious cold-weather crop. They are quick to grow and mature in about sixty days. Direct sow them in late summer to early autumn based on the first frost date of autumn. A single plant can provide two harvests. You can eat leaves or greens as well as delicately sweet taproot. Eat them immediately after harvesting because they don't store well.

Carrots

Late July is considered the last time to sow carrots for fall harvest. Sow seeds directly and thinly into shallow holes or in pots. However, soil preparation is important for planting carrots because they need loose, sandy soil to grow freely till the soil at least 12 inches to remove any rocks or clumps. Avoid thinning seedlings to prevent carrot flies.

Cabbages

Cabbage is another vegetable to plant in late July, so it has enough time to mature. Cabbages reach their peak flavor after light frost: plant cabbage at least 45 cm apart and 60 cm between rows. You might need to use row covers or netting to protect cabbages from pigeons and white caterpillars. Harvesting your cabbage before a hard frost is also recommended.

Related Post: 15 Vegetables You Must Grow for Summer

Herbs to Plant in Late July

Late July is also the best time to plant fast-growing herbs like oregano, cilantro, basil, dill, parsley, chives, sage, rosemary, and thyme. Sow seeds or buy young transplants. If you intend to bring them indoors for the winter, plant them in containers and place them in a bright window.

Read More: Top 8 Summer Herbs to Grow in Your Garden

Flowers to Plant in Late July

The garden is incomplete without beautiful and fragrant flowers. It's visually appealing to plant flowers in late July to add colors to your garden and attract pollinators. Here are some popular flowers you can plant during the hottest month.

Zinnias

Zinnias will bring loads of color to your summer garden. They produce flowers in vibrant shades of orange, red, white, pink, and salmon. Zinnias are heat and drought tolerant. Disperse zinnia seeds in the bed where you want to grow them and spread a new batch of seeds every few weeks. This will make you enjoy colorful blooms for a more extended period, even in the fall.

Verbena

This is another gorgeous flower to plant in late July and freshen your garden beds. Plant them in the sunniest garden place, as annual and perennial varieties of verbenas thrive in direct sunlight and dry soil. This beauty blooms all summer and even in early fall. Their purple flowers can grow quickly, so trim your plant regularly to keep them blooming.

Marigolds

These are tough and easy-to-grow annuals that add bright pops of color to flower beds or containers. Marigolds look gorgeous in any garden in cheerful shades of gold, orange, yellow, and creamy white. Plant this flower in late July for vibrant color or grow them as companion plants to repel pests around veggies and ornamentals.

Sunflowers

A sunflower embodies the essence of a summer garden. They are fast-growing, heat-tolerant, and pest-resistant. Plant sunflowers in late July to bring beauty to your garden throughout the fall. In addition to being beautiful, sunflowers attract birds and pollinators to your garden.

Read More: How to Water My Flower Beds

Tips for Planting Successfully in Late July

• Garden and care for your garden in the morning or early evening when the temperatures are low and less stressful for plants.
• Use shade cloth or floating row cover to protect delicate plants from the summer sun. Don't allow your plants to wilt in the hot weather. Bring container plants inside if the sun is scorching them.
• Mulch plants with shredded leaves or weed-free straw to retain moisture in the soil and prevent weeds.
• If you don't have enough space in your garden, grow plants in containers or window boxes.
• Keep seedlings and plants constantly moist through the sweltering summer days.

Conclusion

Late July is not too late to plant your favorite crops; you can still get a delicious harvest and colorful blooms in a few weeks or months. However, prepare your garden quickly and sow seeds or plant transplants as early as possible. The key to a successful summer garden is understanding what plant varieties are best suited for particular weather conditions so you know what to plant in your area (see USDA hardiness zone map). Moreover, knowing your region's first frost date is essential to ensure your harvest can reach its full, mature state.