What to Plant in July

Think It’s Too Late to Plant in July? Think Again.

While many gardeners slow down in mid-summer, July is actually a hidden gem of opportunity. With warm soil, long days, and fast-growing options, your garden can thrive now—and well into fall—with the right selections and a little strategic care.

In fact, July offers one of the best windows to sow a wide variety of vegetables, flowers, herbs, and even some shrubs. The combination of high temperatures and extended daylight speeds up germination and growth, giving you a chance to extend your harvest and boost your ornamental beds before the cooler months arrive.

Whether you’re looking to refresh your veggie patch, brighten up your borders, or add some late-season herbs, this guide will walk you through what to plant in July—plus offer practical tips to help your garden stay healthy and productive.

Let’s dig in!

Why July Is a Great Month for Planting

July is one of the best times to sow seeds. With warm soil, long daylight hours, and high air temperatures, conditions are perfect for quick germination. These ideal growing conditions give you the chance to extend your harvest in the veg patch and boost your supply of perennials, biennials, and exotic plants in the ornamental garden. Just keep in mind—mid-summer often means dry soil, so be ready to water more than usual.

In the UK, there’s still a wide range of seeds you can sow in July. Biennials like foxgloves go in now to bloom next spring. It’s also a great time for fast growers such as radishes, carrots, French beans, and soybeans.

July is also the final call for planting out certain young plants. If you’ve got courgettes, squashes, or sweetcorn ready to go, get them in the ground early this month—they’ll need time to mature before autumn frosts arrive. And don’t forget your winter cabbages. Seeded back in April or May, they should be planted out now to ensure they’re full-sized and ready in time for Christmas dinner and beyond.

So what should you plant now? Let’s dig in.

Vegetables to Plant in July

Even in peak summer, your veggie patch has room to grow. Here are the top performers:

Lettuce & Salad Greens

Sow heat-tolerant varieties like ‘Butterhead’ or ‘Summer Crisp’ in shallow drills or containers. Provide partial shade during the hottest hours, and keep soil moist.

Pro Tip: Harvest young leaves regularly for continuous production.

Carrots

It’s your last chance to sow carrots for a fall harvest. Direct seed into loose, well-drained soil. Thin seedlings carefully—spacing prevents carrot fly infestation.

Turnips

Fast to mature and versatile, turnips are great for both their roots and greens. Sow in shallow drills and harvest before frost for best flavor.

Dwarf French Beans

These bushy, quick-growing beans are perfect for a late summer harvest. They germinate fast and don’t need staking.

Winter Cabbage

If you started seedlings in spring, now’s the time to transplant them. With proper care, you’ll have fresh cabbage for Christmas dinners.

Arugula, Kale & Spinach

Plant these leafy greens for a second or even third harvest. Choose bolt-resistant varieties, and water consistently to keep them tender.

Flowers That Brighten the Summer Garden

Add a splash of color to your landscape with these hardy bloomers:

Marigolds

Heat-tolerant and pest-repelling, marigolds thrive in July and bloom until frost. Great for beds and vegetable gardens alike.

Zinnias

These vibrant, drought-resistant flowers bloom quickly from seed and love the heat. Deadhead often to extend flowering.

Sunflowers

Plant early this month for tall, cheerful blooms by late summer. Opt for dwarf varieties for smaller spaces.

Petunias

Thriving in full sun and heat, petunias add long-lasting color to beds and containers.

Delphiniums

July is your last call to sow these tall beauties for next year’s spring blooms. They also attract bees and pollinators.

Forget-Me-Nots

Mimic their natural seed cycle by sowing now through September. They’ll fill gaps in spring flower beds beautifully.

Herbs That Love the Heat

Looking to boost your summer cooking? July is a great time to plant these herbs:

Mint

Vigorous and versatile—just grow it in pots to keep it from taking over your garden.

Basil

This summer superstar thrives in sun and moist soil. Pinch back flower buds for a longer growing season.

Thyme

Tough and aromatic, thyme is drought-tolerant and perfect for full sun.

Chives

Plant in sunny spots and enjoy their mild onion flavor. Bonus: they help repel garden pests.

Lemongrass

Perfect for pots or garden beds, lemongrass loves humidity and partial shade.

Chili Peppers

Give them partial sun and regular feeding for a spicy addition to your summer garden.

Shrubs and Trees You Can Plant in July

Surprised? You can plant shrubs and trees now—as long as you water them consistently. Choose container-grown varieties and give them extra TLC.

Hydrangeas

Plant in dappled shade with moist, well-drained soil. Water frequently until established.

Buddleia (Butterfly Bush)

Fast-growing and hardy, Buddleia blooms from July to September and thrives in sunny spots.

July Gardening Tips for Success

A few practical habits can make the difference between thriving and wilting:

• Water Smart: Water early or late to reduce evaporation. Deep watering encourages strong root systems.
• Mulch: Retains moisture, regulates soil temperature, and keeps weeds at bay.
• Shade When Needed: Use shade cloth or move pots to protect delicate plants.
• Weed After Watering: Softer soil makes it easier to pull out weeds from the root.
• Stake Tall Plants: Support beans and sunflowers before they topple.
• Deadhead Flowers: Regularly snip faded blooms to promote more flowers.
• Prune and Propagate: Mid-summer is a good time to take cuttings and remove dead or diseased branches.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let July Slip By

July isn’t the end of gardening season—it’s a second wind. With the right plants and a little attention, your garden can be bursting with life for months to come. Whether you’re craving crisp greens, bold blooms, or flavorful herbs, there’s still time to get growing.

So, what’s going in your garden this month?
Drop a comment below and tell us what you’re planting—or ask a question if you need help! Let’s grow together.