July provides the gardeners with ideal conditions for growing many ornamental and edible plants. Summer days are warm and long, making it the most productive time to sow, as the seeds will germinate and grow quickly. Whether you want to plant flowers, vegetables, herbs, or all three, we take a look at what to plant in July.
The truth is, there is a very good range of plants that can sow that can provide flowering or plants for a very long time. From the fastest seasons of the year in late summer to the long-lasting seasons of spring flowers. They are also quick-harvest crops for winter-hardy food crops during the colder months. One task you will need to remember this month is to water any seeds deeply after planting to allow the soil to dry out.
To fill your garden with plants, why not take advantage of the good conditions in July? This guide to what to plant in July includes vegetables, flowers, bulbs, and herbs to enhance your backyard ideas. You’ll find beautiful displays, good harvests, and a colorful, full garden to enjoy for months, or even years.
Fast Growing Annuals for Summer Color
You may look in your garden and see flowers in full bloom, but it’s not too late to add to this year’s display.
A good selection of fast-growing annuals, including zinnias, marigolds, cosmos, viola, and nasturtium, can be sown this month in beds or containers and provide a beautiful display for weeks and months to come.
These plants can be sown directly in their growing environment, or started indoors and transplanted.
If you choose the latter, compostable pots offer the right solution, as you will avoid disturbing the roots when planting the seedlings. You can find biodegradable fiber pots at Burpee.
Zinnia Seeds – California Giants Mix
Cosmos Seeds – Sensation Mix
Nasturtium Seeds – Jewel Mix
Plant Perennials to Portray the Future
July provides an opportunity to plan for the future and start growing perennials that can bring color and texture to flower beds for years to come.
Starting perennials from seed is an inexpensive way to strengthen and improve your future displays, and you can praise the blooms each year with the satisfaction that you grew this plant from scratch.
You can sow the seeds of delphinium, columbine, coneflower, foxgloves, and lupins in July. These are best sown in trays or pots filled with quality seed compost, like this organic seed starter on Amazon. Plants can be potted after germination and planted the following fall or spring.
Delphinium Seeds – Magic Fountains Series
Russell Blend Lupine Seeds
Biennial plants
July is also the window for planting biennials that will flower in 12 months. These plants will leaf out this season, and burst into flower next year – usually in the gap between spring bulbs and summer perennials.
Biennials are very useful but are often underplanted, often overshadowed by their annual or perennial counterparts. But they provide an important role for gardeners who want color and texture in all seasons.
Biennials you can sow this month include sweet williams, foxgloves, loyalty, and wallflower.
Sweet Seeds by William Mix
Plant Fast Growing Vegetables
In July, the warm soil and air provide the perfect environment to sow fast-growing vegetables directly into the ground to enjoy a summer and early autumn harvest.
Summer lettuces, turnips, radishes, beets, and a variety of fast maturing carrots are high on the list of fastest growing crops.
Keep the soil moist for good growth and development, and young seedlings as they grow so that vegetables can grow.
Also, always weed around plants with a garden hoe to eliminate any unwanted competition for water and nutrients. Depending on the yield, you will be able to start harvesting in 30-40 days.
Looleaf Blend Lettuce Seeds
Radish Seeds Variety Pack
Purple Top White Turnip Seeds
Plant Winter Crops
Along with the short-term harvest, you can think long-term by sowing and planting vegetables in July that will reward you with harvests throughout the cold months.
Although the temperatures may be warm, a good number of hardy vegetables can be planted this month for good selection in the fall and winter, and maybe even in the spring.
Brassicas such as kale, cabbage, and cauliflower, as well as Swiss chard, leeks, and corn salad, will continue through the summer, and their growth will slow into the fall.
But the plants continue to grow and will be ready to harvest in the fall or winter, or they can be left to overwinter in the vegetable garden for harvest in the spring.
All Seasons Cabbage Seeds
A rainbow blend of Swiss Chard Seeds
Fall Flowering Plants
When you talk about bulbs, most people will first think of spring bulbs, then summer bulbs.
Unfortunately, fall-flowering bulbs are often overlooked. Don’t let that happen, as July is the perfect time to plant them when they are still dormant, and they will burst into glorious bloom come fall.
Colchicum, also known as autumn crocus, is a favorite of mine, offering pink or purple flowers before any leaves (which appear in spring). Also, cyclamen, oxalis, and nerine can be planted this month to bring color to the garden later in the year.
The rules for planting fall-flowering bulbs are the same as any other – plant them in well-draining soil and at a depth two to three times their height.
Plant Quick Herbs
It is not too late to plant herbs that you will grow this time of year to use in the kitchen. Whether it’s in the vegetable garden, in the vegetable garden, or on the windowsill, there’s still time to pick home herbs, all thanks to some of the fastest growing plants.
The likes of cilantro, dill, basil, chives, and parsley all germinate quickly and can go from seed to harvest in 60 days or less.
All of these mentioned can be sown directly in the ground this month. Sow the seeds thinly in rows 12 inches apart, cover them with a thin layer of soil, and keep the soil moist.
Direct sowing is best, as some of those mentioned, especially dill and cilantro, have roots and do not like to be transplanted.
When we discuss what to plant in July, we need to touch on trees and shrubs. Although plants grown in plants can be planted in July, it is not the recommended time to plant trees or shrubs.
Hot temperatures and dry conditions not only put plants at risk of stress but also put more responsibility and work on the shoulders of farmers to keep the soil moist during the summer. It is best to wait until conditions are cooler to add these large plants to your garden.