Top Veggies to Sow in July for a Tasty Autumn Crop - Don't Forget to Reap the Rewards
July is an ideal time to start preparing for a bountiful fall harvest. Many vegetables thrive in the cooler temperatures of autumn, offering gardeners a chance to extend their growing season. Here's a guide to some of the best vegetables to plant in July, along with their typical days to maturity and growing notes.
| Vegetable | Days to Maturity | Growing Notes & Zones | |-----------------|------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------| | **Cabbage** | 60 to 100 days | Cold-tolerant; tastes better after frost; suitable for many zones; start seeds indoors and transplant in 3 weeks for an October harvest. Example: Earliana matures in 60 days[1]. | | **Parsnips** | 90 to 120 days | Slow to mature but sweeter after frost; ideal for direct sowing in July; good for longer growing seasons[1]. | | **Beets** | 50-60 days | Thrive in cooler fall temps; can be planted mid-summer for fall harvest[1][5]. | | **Turnips** | ~40 to 60 days | Fast-growing root vegetable; can be sown in July for cool fall harvests[1]. | | **Kohlrabi** | ~55 to 70 days | Cold-hardy and quick to mature, good for fall planting[1]. | | **Broccoli** | 60 to 100 days | Cold-tolerant; can be started from seed in July for fall harvest[1]. | | **Peppers** | 60 to 90+ days | In zones 6 and above, peppers can be planted in July and harvested before frost; require warm soil to mature[2]. | | **Zucchini** | About 60 days | Can be direct sown in zones 4 and up in July; produces fruit quickly and continuously[2][3]. | | **Summer Squash** | About 60 days | Similar growth to zucchini; plant in zones 4 and above; needs space to expand[2]. | | **Cucumbers** | About 54 days | Can be planted in July; suitable for quick harvest before frost[3]. | | **Chinese cabbage, bok choy, collard greens, carrots** | Carrots 50-70 days; others vary but generally fast-growing (30-60 days for quick types) | Great for mid to late summer planting; enjoy cooler fall weather[5]. |
Many of these vegetables are cold-tolerant or even improve in flavor after a light frost, making them ideal for fall harvests. For zones 4-5, plants like zucchini and summer squash should be planted early in July to ensure harvest before cold sets in. Seedlings started indoors or protected with row covers can help extend the growing season and protect young plants from heat and pests.
Quick-maturing crops (30-60 days) such as leafy greens and root vegetables are good bets for late-season planting in July. Beets tend to develop a sweeter flavor in fall and have a maturity time of about 60 days. Kohlrabi seeds can be started later in July and mature in about six weeks, allowing for succession plantings and an early fall harvest.
Broccoli can mature in as little as 50 days, with some types taking up to 90 days. Heat-tolerant varieties are recommended for hot summers. To work out the first frost date, ask your local extension office or use an online zip code or postcode checker.
Bright Lights Swiss chard produces a dazzling rainbow display of mild-tasting leaves in just 60 days from direct sowing. Kohlrabi is a quick-growing vegetable that's easy to grow and tolerates cold temperatures, best grown in spring and fall. Early White Vienna kohlrabi is a reliable heirloom variety with a classic flavor, available at Walmart.
Swiss chard is easy to grow in the garden and is similar to spinach, bolting less readily in the summer heat. It's easier to grow in cooler regions in the middle of summer, while warmer regions should wait until early fall.
By selecting from these vegetables according to your zone and timing, you can enjoy a successful fall harvest from crops planted in July. Happy gardening!
- Many vegetables, such as beets, turnips, kohlrabi, and cabbage, improve in flavor after a light frost, making them ideal options for home-and-garden enthusiasts looking to extend their growing season and reap a bountiful fall harvest.
- For quick harvests, gardening novices can consider planting leafy greens and root vegetables like beets and Swiss chard in their home-and-garden during July, as they are quick-maturing crops (30-60 days) that thrive in cooler temperatures.
