21 Crops To Sow In July For An Epic And Abundant Summer Garden

In July, gardens come alive! 🌱 But beware. Not all plants thrive during the July heat. And not all crops are ideal for July sowing. Fear not, though! We’ve curated a delightful selection of flowers, herbs, and veggies that flourish wildly and lively under the summer sun. So grab your trowel, dust off your sun hat, and sow some magic with us! 🌞🌸🥕

Sound good?

Then, let’s kickstart our July garden!

21 Best Garden Crops For July – Here’s What To Plant!

June and July are prime seed-sowing times for various growing zones throughout the US. These are our 21 favorite crops that are ideal for this time of year.

1. Baby Chard (Beta vulgaris var. cicla)

Baby chard is the same as Swiss chard; the only difference is that you harvest baby chard earlier than mature chard. Baby chard is prized for its delicate flavor and tender texture, while mature chard leaves are larger and have a slightly stronger taste. 🌞 Baby chard is perfect for July and handles the heat well. It laughs in the face of summer heat, saying, “Is that all you’ve got?”

• Mature Height: 6 to 18 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 20 to 25 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Partial shade, well-drained soil, and consistent moisture.

You can harvest chard from spring through fall, making it the ultimate cut-and-come-again companion. Harvest the outer leaves first, and it will continue growing. 🌿

2. Sunflowers (Helianthus annuus)

Sunflowers are the ultimate sun-chasers. Give them full sun, and they’ll bloom like a 4th of July fireworks finale. 💥 Sunflowers also benefit nearly any other July crop you grow, as pollinators flock to them like wild. Bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds RSVP to the sunflower soirée. 🐝🦋

• Mature Height: 2 to 12 feet. (Some are even taller!)
• Days Until Maturity: 70 to 100 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Full sun and well-drained soil. Provide regular watering during dry spells. Stake them if you expect high winds.

When summer wanes, sunflower heads bow down, revealing their secret stash of seeds. Harvest them for a crunchy, guilt-free snack. Or leave them for the birds and let them throw a feathered rave! 🕊️

Read More – 17 Best Backyard Crops For Yummy Homegrown Tea | Beginner Friendly

3. Cucumbers (Cucumis sativus)

🥒 The garden’s cool, crunchy superheroes! They’re refreshing, delicious, and rejuvenating. 🌿 Cucumbers are also the ultimate thirst quenchers. When the sun cranks up the heat, these green gourds stay chill. Slice them up for salads or add them to homemade sandwich rollups. Summer hydration never tasted this crisp! 💧

• Mature Height: Cucumber vines can sprawl up to 6 feet or more. Bush varieties are smaller, usually around 3 or 4 feet high and wide.
• Days Until Maturity: 50 to 70 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Support climbing varieties with a trellis. Offer consistent moisture and fertile soil. Regular harvesting encourages more fruit production.

Cucumbers crave sunbathing sessions. Plant them where they can soak up rays like beach bums. ☀️

4. Mizuna (Brassica rapa var. nipposinica)

🌿 Here’s a yummy summer lover that consistently flies under the radar. Mizuna! This little-known Japanese garden gem is sleek, stealthy, and easy to sow and grow. It’s got thin stalks, serrated foliage, and a mild mustard flavor that won’t karate-chop your taste buds. 🍃 It also rolls off the July heat like no big deal.

• Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 20 to 30 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Partial shade, well-drained soil, consistent moisture, and regular fertilization.

Those glossy, dark green leaves with white stalks? They’re like mini culinary masterpieces. Use them in salads, stir-fries, braises, or as fancy garnishes. 🎨

5. Nasturtiums (Tropaeolum majus)

Nasturtiums are July’s confetti cannons, bursting with vibrant colors. These herbaceous flowers hail from South and Central America and flaunt jewel-toned hues that could make a rainbow jealous. You can also eat them! Their peppery leaves and edible flowers add a zesty kick to salads and desserts. 🌱

• Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Full sun to partial shade and well-drained soil.

Nasturtiums are easy to grow, but they crave the spotlight. Plant them where they can soak up six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. They’ll tolerate a little shade, but even divas need their sunbathing time.

6. Summer Squash (Cucurbita pepo)

Zucchinis are the ideal July crop as they love the heat and grow fast. They’re also easy to cultivate and are fun to cook in various homemade goodies. (Including zucchini nut bread, stuffed zucchini, zucchini parmesan, or stir fry!) Plant them now, and in late August, you’ll be doing the harvest hustle with armfuls of tender, green goodness. 🥒

• Mature Height: 18 to 24 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 10.
• Care Requirements: Provide ample sunlight, consistent watering, and space for their large leaves.

Offer zucchinis a prime garden spot with at least 6 hours of sun daily. They’ll stretch their leaves, wink at the bees, and produce yummy gourds.

Read More – Our All-In-One Guide For Sowing And Starting Indoor Seeds Without Grow Lights!

7. Green Onions (Allium cepa)

These zesty scallions are like the naughty cousins of regular onions. They’re smaller, snappier, and ready to salsa into your salads, sandwiches, stir-fries, and secret midnight omelets. They’re the ultimate multitaskers: flavor boosters, space savers, and mood lifters all rolled into one. 🌱

• Mature Height: 12 to 18 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 60 to 70 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 10.
• Care Requirements: Well-drained soil, regular watering, and occasional fertilization.

Green onions thrive in full sun (at least six hours daily) but are not whiney about it. A little afternoon shade? They’ll still grow but might get slightly lean or fall over.

8. Basil (Ocimum basilicum)

Basil loves July heat and is the garden’s aromatic maestro, conducting a symphony of flavor! 🌿 It’s a practical, easy-to-grow crop whether you’re a pesto enthusiast or want to jazz up your Caprese salads. Basil is a genuine sun worshipper. 🌞 Give it 6 to 8 hours of full sun daily, and it’ll belt out hits like a superstar. It also attracts ample butterflies and bees if you let it flower.

• Mature Height: 12 to 24 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 30 to 60 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 10.
• Care Requirements: Warmth, sunlight, and well-drained soil. Regular pruning promotes bushier growth.

Here’s the trick to harvesting basil. Snip leaves from the top, just above a pair of healthy leaves. The more you harvest, the bushier it gets. And remember, basil’s frost-sensitive. No winter coat for this herb! 🎶

9. Beans (Phaseolus vulgaris)

Beans are your ultimate July BFF. 🌱 They grow wonderfully in the July heat and help the soil by fixing nitrogen. Beans also make it rain (well, not literally) with lush foliage. Plus, they’re low-maintenance and develop quickly. 🙌

• Mature Height: Bush beans grow to about 18 to 24 inches. Pole beans easily reach 6 feet or slightly taller.
• Days Until Maturity: Bush beans mature in approximately 50 to 60 days. Pole beans take a bit longer (around 60 to 70 days).
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 10.
• Care Requirements: Support pole beans with a trellis. Offer well-drained soil and consistent moisture.

The biggest mistake in bean growing is waiting to harvest them. Pick them young and tender before they turn into grumpy old beans. Regular harvesting encourages more pods to join the fiesta. 🎉

10. Sage (Salvia officinalis)

Sage is the wise old scholar sitting cross-legged in your garden, whispering secrets to the other plants. But instead of cryptic riddles, it offers a lovely culinary harvest without complaining or fussing. It thrives in rocky, alkaline soil. Occasional drought? No biggie! And once established, it’s practically self-sufficient.

• Mature Height: 18 to 24 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 60 to 70 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 5 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Full sun and well-drained soil. Only minimal watering once established.

Sage isn’t shy in the kitchen. It’s the flavor whisperer, turning bland dishes into culinary symphonies. Roast chicken? Sage. Butternut squash soup? Sage. Mystical potion to ward off Monday blues? Okay, maybe not, but you get the idea.

Read More – How To Sow A Backyard Chaos Garden – The Ultimate Lazy Gardening Method!

11. Zinnias (Zinnia elegans)

Picture this: Your garden transformed into a kaleidoscope of colors with yellows, reds, pinks, and oranges, all dancing in the July sun. That’s the magic of zinnias! 🌞 These beauties are low-maintenance. Just sow the seeds directly in the soil (no fussing with transplant drama) and watch them grow. Water them, chat about the weather, and voilà! Blooms galore. 🌱

• Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 60 to 70 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, regular deadheading, and well-drained soil promote abundant blooms.

Zinnias are the ultimate butterfly hangout. Imagine tiny winged guests sipping nectar from their vibrant petals. It’s like hosting a garden tea party! 🦋

12. Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)

Like a tropical sunset, marigolds turn your garden into a barrage of fiery hues with yellow, orange, and red hues. 🌞 These golden bangers are like the garden’s cheerleaders, waving pom-poms of color.

• Mature Height: Dwarf varieties reach around 6 to 12 inches. Taller ones reach up to 2 feet.
• Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil, and occasional deadheading keep marigolds thriving.

Give marigolds well-drained soil and a dash of water, and they’ll bloom till frost. 🌱 They also have reputations for deterring pests. These flowers are like the bouncers at the garden club. Pests? No, they’re not on the guest list! 🚫🐛

13. Purslane (Portulaca oleracea)

Here’s another underappreciated garden gem for July. Imagine a leafy superstar that thrives in the summer heat, flaunting its succulent, juicy leaves like a veggie queen. That’s purslane for you! 🌿 (Move over, kale! Purslane rocks for homemade salads and packs more omega-3s than a hipster’s avocado toast. Plus, it’s a vitamin A and C powerhouse. 🥑)

• Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 40 to 50 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 2 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Plenty of light and well-draining soil. Water moderately and let the soil dry between waterings.

Pluck leaves in the morning for maximum flavor. It’s like sipping a green smoothie straight from the garden. 🌅

14. Peppers (Capsicum spp.)

Peppers are the garden’s little firecrackers, ready to spice up summer! 🎆 These vibrant veggies thrive in the July heat, soaking up the sun like sunbathers on a tropical beach. 🌞 Besides adding a sizzle to your salads and stir-fries, peppers are low-maintenance companions. They’re like that friend who never cancels plans – reliable and always there when you need them. 🌶️

• Mature Height: 1 to 3 feet.
• Days Until Maturity: Bell peppers mature in approximately 60 to 80 days, while hot peppers often take longer.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil, and consistent watering are essential for healthy pepper plants.

Peppers adore warm soil. So, please give them a cozy spot with good drainage. Place them where they can bask in sunlight all day long. They’re like solar-powered flavor factories!

Read More – Catnip Is Another Superb Garden Crop For July Gardens! Here’s How To Grow It From Scratch!

15. Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Okra thrives in the sweltering July sun. It’s like a sunbather with a green thumb! Okra is the July garden’s secret overachiever, as there are endless yummy ways to cook it, fried or gumbo being two of the most popular options. 🌱✨ These verdant beauties hail from West Africa, so they love the July heat. And their tropical vibes are as irresistible as a beach vacation. 🌴

• Mature Height: 3 to 6 feet.
• Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 5 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil, and regular harvesting promote okra production.

Okra isn’t just a pretty face; it’s a vitamin powerhouse. 💪 Stink bugs also love okra, so it helps repel them away from other crops – it’s like having a pest decoy at your garden party! 🕶️🦗

16. Lettuce (Lactuca sativa)

Lettuce thrives in July gardens like a sunbather on a tropical beach. 🌱 Its crisp leaves are the ultimate cool-down for your taste buds during muggy days. Just remember to keep it hydrated. Lettuce hates being dried in July more than a teenager without Wi-Fi. Plant it in partial shade to prevent it from becoming a wilted mess. 🥗🌿

• Mature Height: 6 to 12 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 30 to 40 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 10.
• Care Requirements: Partial shade, consistent moisture, and succession planting ensure a continuous harvest.

Mix and match heat-tolerant lettuce varieties like Oakleaf, Red Romaine, Summer Crisp, Jericho, and Butterhead for a medley of textures and flavors. Add zesty peppers, crunchy cucumbers, and a zesty dressing. Voilà! Instant summer bliss.

17. Southern Peas (Vigna unguiculata)

Southern peas, also known as cowpeas or field peas, are the forgotten guests of your garden party. Hardly anyone invites them. We’re still trying to figure out why! They’re yummy crops that can handle the July heat without sweat. 🌞🌿 These legumes thrive in the scorching sun, turning up their leaves like little green sunbathers. They’re like, “July Heatwaves? Pfft, we’ve got this!” 🌡️

• Mature Height: 18 to 36 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 60 to 90 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 7 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Well-drained soil, regular watering, and support for climbing varieties.

Southern peas are like the soil’s personal trainers. They flex their root muscles and fix nitrogen in the ground, making it richer than a billionaire’s compost pile. 💪💰

And what about their flowers? They’re showstoppers! 🌸🌼 Pollinators flock to them like paparazzi at a celebrity wedding. So, if you’ve got other crops nearby, they’ll thank you for the southern pea VIP treatment. 🐝🎩

Read More – How To Buy Healthy Plants From Your Local Nursery And Get The Best Deal

18. Arugula (Eruca vesicaria)

Arugula is another tragically underutilized July garden crop. It’s perfect for homemade salad, sandwiches, pesto, and pasta. And it’s arguably the most underrated pizza topping. 🎤💃 Arugula is ideal for hot July weather as it laughs at the sun. Plant it in a reliably sunny spot, and it’ll thrive like a sunbathing superstar. ☀️

• Mature Height: 12 to 20 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 20 to 30 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 4 to 9.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil, consistent moisture, and regular fertilization.

Leaves? Check. Pods? Check. Seeds? Check. It’s the triple threat of greens. Harvest young leaves (they’re milder) and avoid the bitter bolting phase. 🌱🍽️ Arugula’s motto? “Life in the fast lane!” It matures in just 25 days. Blink, and you’ve got a salad bowl full of sass. ⏱️🥗

19. Collard Greens (Brassica oleracea)

Collard greens are fantastic additions to July gardens. Their robust leaves thrive in the summer sun, providing a lush green backdrop. Plus, they’re low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and packed with nutrients. Whether stir-frying, sautéing, or admiring their verdant beauty, collards bring a touch of July magic to your green space. 🌿🌞🥬

• Mature Height: 24 to 36 inches.
• Days Until Maturity: 50 to 60 days.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 10.
• Care Requirements: Full sun, well-drained soil, consistent moisture, regular fertilization, and support for tall varieties.

Collard greens make a superb side dish for Texas-style BBQ. Their hearty texture and earthy flavor complement smoky meats like brisket or ribs. Whether braised or cooked with bacon, collard greens add a touch of Southern comfort to any barbecue feast! 🌿🔥

20. Borage (Borago officinalis)

Borage is the ultimate July showstopper! It attracts pollinators like butterflies and bees, while its vibrant blue flowers and delicate white blooms add a whimsical touch to your July garden. Plus, its leaves and flowers are edible and packed with nutrients.

• Mature Height: 1 to 2 feet.
• Days Until Maturity:  7 to 8 weeks.
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 3 to 10.
• Care Requirements: Well-drained soil, prefers full sun, and benefits from regular watering to keep its leaves tender and flavorful.

Use the delicate flowers as a garnish for salads, cocktails, or desserts. The leaves and stems are lovely for soups, stews, and sautéed veggies. You can even use borage as a natural dye for fabric and paper.

21. Malabar Spinach (Basella alba)

This heat-loving vine is a game-changer for July gardens, thriving in temperatures that would make other spinach varieties wilt. Plus, it’s packed with nutrients and easy to grow! Just provide it with a trellis to climb, consistent moisture, and partial shade, and you’ll be enjoying a bountiful harvest in no time.

• Mature Height: 6 to 12 feet.
• Days Until Maturity: 60 to 90 days
• Sow Outdoors In Zones: 9 to 11.
• Care Requirements: Well-drained soil, regular watering, and support for climbing vines.

Use the tender leaves and stems in salads or smoothies, sauté them with garlic as a delightful side dish, or add them to stews, soups, and curries for a nutrient boost.

Try smothering the leaves with your favorite herbs and spices for a tasty summer snack. And remember to freeze some for later. Chop, blanch, and store in airtight containers to enjoy year-round!

Read More – How To Grow Yummy Butternut Squash From Seed To Harvest

Conclusion

Thanks so much for reading our July sowing and growing guide! Our list contains a variety of tasty and colorful herbs, flowers, and veggies suitable for various growing zones. Our July garden is raging, using many of the crops on this list!

What about you?

• Are you going to sow seeds in July?
• What crops are you going to grow?
• Are you going to grow flowers, herbs, or veggies?
• Will you grow any July crops we didn’t include in our list?
• Do you think July is too late to grow a garden? Or is the timing perfect?

We love growing in July and invite fellow gardeners to share their thoughts, feedback, or questions.

Thanks again for reading,.

Have a great day!

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