19 MUST-Plant July Crops: LAST CHANCE Before Summer Veggies Are Gone
July may feel like summer is peaking, but for gardeners, it’s a crucial window to get in one final round of crops before the heat wanes and fall begins creeping in. With the right timing, care, and plant choices, you can enjoy fresh veggies well into late summer and even early autumn. If you’ve missed spring planting or want to maximize your harvests, here are 19 must-plant crops in July—your last chance to grow summer favorites before the season slips away.
1. Bush Beans
Fast-growing and productive, bush beans thrive in the heat. Plant now and expect harvest in about 50–60 days. Choose from green, yellow, or purple varieties.
2. Zucchini
Zucchini grows quickly and abundantly. It’s perfect for a late planting and can produce fruit within 45–60 days.
3. Cucumbers
Still time for another round! Look for compact, fast-maturing types like ‘Bush Pickle’ or ‘Marketmore 76.’
4. Summer Squash
Much like zucchini, summer squash is heat-loving and fast-growing. Keep the soil moist and harvest frequently.
5. Okra
A true summer champion, okra loves heat and is best direct-seeded now. Harvest begins around 50–60 days after planting.
6. Swiss Chard
This leafy green handles heat better than many others. It adds color and nutrients to your summer meals.
7. Malabar Spinach
Not a true spinach, but a heat-tolerant vining green. It thrives in hot, humid climates and grows rapidly in July.
8. New Zealand Spinach
Another heat-resistant green. It’s low-maintenance, delicious, and ideal for midsummer planting.
9. Beets
Choose quick-growing beet varieties and harvest them small for the sweetest, most tender roots.
10. Carrots
Plant heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Danvers’ or ‘Little Finger.’ Provide consistent moisture for best germination.
11. Radishes
Radishes mature in as little as 25 days, making them perfect for a July planting. Try spicy summer varieties.
12. Turnips
Fast-growing and versatile, turnips offer edible roots and greens. Choose heat-tolerant types for summer sowing.
13. Basil
If you haven’t planted basil yet, do it now! It loves warmth and can keep producing until frost.
14. Cilantro
While prone to bolting in heat, fast-growing cilantro can still be planted in shaded or cooler spots for quick harvests.
15. Dill
Another herb that grows quickly and thrives in summer. Perfect for adding to salads and pickles.
16. Collard Greens
Hardier than you’d expect, collards planted now can grow through summer and into fall.
17. Mustard Greens
These spicy, nutritious greens are quick to mature and can be harvested young for salads.
18. Lettuce (Heat-Tolerant Varieties)
Look for varieties like ‘Jericho’ or ‘Nevada’ bred for summer. Provide shade cloth or afternoon shade for best results.
19. Green Onions (Scallions)
Easy to grow and fast-maturing, scallions are ideal for midsummer planting and continue producing for weeks.
Final Tips:
- Water deeply and consistently to help crops thrive through heat.
- Mulch to conserve soil moisture and reduce weeds.
- Watch for pests like aphids and squash bugs, which are more active in summer.
- Use shade cloth if temperatures are scorching.
July isn’t the end of your gardening journey—it’s the last call for a vibrant, late-summer harvest. Don’t miss the opportunity to plant these 19 essential crops before the season changes!
