Quick Guide: 15 Vegetables to Plant by July 15 for a Speedy Harvest before Fall
Get your hands dirty in July – there's still plenty of time for a bountiful late-summer harvest! Many fast-growing veggies not only survive the summer heat but thrive in it. Meet your fresh produce saviors:
Late-Season Garden Heroes
- Bush Beans: Perfect for impatient gardeners! These compact plants don't require staking and produce tender pods in just 50-60 days. Their preference for warm soil makes them prime July planting material. Get them growing by simply sowing seeds directly in the garden.
- Cucumbers: These fast-growing cucurbits often mature in just 50-70 days, making them perfect for July plantings. Opt for bush varieties like 'Spacemaster' for quicker maturation and less extensive trellising. Sow seeds directly in the garden, ensuring they're in full sun and consistent moisture.
- Zucchini and Summer Squash: These garden favorites love the warmth of summer and actually do better in it than in cool spring conditions. In just 40-50 days, you'll be rewarded with abundant harvests well into fall. Plant seeds directly in the soil – summer squash varieties such as 'Early Prolific Straightneck' or 'Black Beauty' zucchini are top picks.
- Speedy Carrots: Quick-maturing varieties, like 'Adelaide,' 'Napoli,' or 'Little Finger,' can be harvest-ready in as little as 50-60 days. Sow seeds directly in loose, stone-free soil for a sweet summer carrot treat.
- Beets in a Hurry: In just 50-60 days, dual-purpose beets offer both nutritious roots and tasty greens. Early-maturing varieties like 'Early Wonder,' 'Detroit Dark Red,' and 'Chioggia' will provide quick returns. Simply sow seeds directly in the garden and thin once seedlings are 2 inches tall.
- Turbo-Charged Turnips: These root vegetables mature in as little as 30-60 days with 'Tokyo Cross' and 'Purple Top White Globe' being excellent choices. Direct-sow seeds about 1⁄4 inch deep, thin seedlings, and keep them consistently watered.
- Speed Demon Radishes: Ready for harvest in as little as 21-30 days, summer varieties like 'Cherry Belle,' 'French Breakfast,' and 'White Icicle' offer a tasty and spicy punch. Sow seeds directly in the garden about 1⁄4 inch deep for an almost instant reward.
- Swiss Chard: This heat-tolerant leafy green can be harvested multiple times and is perfect for July planting. Choose 'Bright Lights' for colorful stems and harvest outer leaves regularly.
- Kale on Overdrive: Late-season kale will be ready in 50-60 days, offering nutritious greens right through to fall and even winter in many climates. Varieties like 'Red Russian' and 'Lacinato' are perfect for warm conditions.
- Lettuce Sprinter: Don't count out lettuce just yet! Heat-resistant varieties like 'Black Seeded Simpson,' 'Rouge d'Hiver,' and 'Jericho' can maturate in just 30-45 days. Sow seeds, choose a location with afternoon shade, and enjoy this crisp green in no time!
Don't forget the spicy heat of arugula! This peppery plant thrives in warmth and can be harvested in just 20 days for baby leaves or 40 days for full-grown leaves. And don't overlook green onions – these quick growers can be ready to harvest in just 30 days when planted in July.
July is not the end of the growing season; it's the start of late-summer and early-fall harvests! So grab your seeds and get planting – you'll be reaping benefits in no time!
In July, the diverse selection of home-and-garden plants, such as bush beans, cucumbers, zucchini, and summer squash, can still be planted for a late-summer and early-fall harvest. These home-loving heroes, often favored for their rapid growth, can mature in as little as 21 days for speed demon radishes, making home-and-garden lifestyle more enjoyable with fresh produce throughout the season.
