Even if you’re seeing lots of crops at the farmers’ market or your neighbor’s garden is overflowing with more tomatoes, cucumbers, and green beans than they can handle, it’s not too late to join in the gardening fun. If growing your own vegetables sounds like inspiring, you don’t have to wait until next year. Starting in July is possible, whether you’re getting a jump on fall harvests or you want to enjoy the rewards of your hard work sooner. It can even be a good time to plant more of a vegetable that’s doing really well in your garden to extend the harvest. Here are some fast-growing vegetables you can still grow and enjoy this summer.
01 of 07
Radish
Botanical Name: Raphanus raphanistrum subsp. sativus
Soil Type: Well-draining, loose, sandy, loamy
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)
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Radishes can bolt in the heat, but growing them in July isn’t out of the question. If you want to plant these fast-growing vegetables early in July, you’ll need to give them moisture and shade or plant heat-resistant varieties like Cherry Belle or Sora, which matures in 23 days. Planting in late July will give better results. Sow radish seeds every two weeks through September for continuous fresh harvests well into fall.
02 of 07
Bush Beans
Botanical Name: Phaseolus vulgaris
Soil Type: Loose, rich, well-draining
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0-7.0)
Choose fast-growing types of bush green beans that will be ready to harvest before the first frost. Look for varieties that mature in 50 to 60 days. Sow the seeds directly into the garden eight to 10 weeks before your area’s average first frost date. Keep the soil evenly moist until seeds sprout, usually within a few days during July heat, and continue to water as they grow.
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03 of 07
Cucumber
Botanical Name: Cucumis sativus
Soil Type: Well-draining, rich
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (6.0-6.8)
July isn’t too late to plant a second crop of cucumbers. One benefit is that you don’t have to start seeds indoors like you do in the spring. The soil is warm enough in mid-summer for seeds to germinate quickly, so you can sow them directly into the garden. Another bonus is that you won’t have to worry about the pests and diseases that commonly affect cucumbers in the heat. These will be harvested in cooler temperatures. Sow seeds 10 to 12 weeks before the first frost date in your area.
04 of 07
Okra
Credit: JENNIFER E. WOLF/Getty Images
Botanical Name: Abelmoschus esculentus
Soil Type: Loose, rich, well-draining, sandy, loamy
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (6.0-6.8)
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While early crops of lettuce, cucumbers, and tomatoes can start to fade in July, okra loves the intense heat. Planting in mid-summer will give you time for a fall harvest before the first frost. Look for fast-growing varieties that tolerate heat, such as Clemson Spineless and Jambalaya, a compact okra that produces fruit quickly. Soak the seeds in warm water overnight to soften them and speed up germination, and sow them directly into the soil to avoid disturbing the sensitive taproot. Harvest okra pods when they are 3 to 4 inches long so they’ll be tender instead of woody.
05 of 07
Carrot
Botanical Name: Daucus carota subsp. sativus
Sun Exposure: Full sun, partial sun
Soil Type: Well-draining, moist, loamy, sandy
Soil pH: Neutral (6.0-8.0)
In USDA Planting Zones 3-8, it’s not too late to plant carrots and get a decent harvest, but in hotter climates you’ll need to wait a few more weeks for the weather to cool down. Sow seeds directly into the garden or in a deep container that’s at least 12 inches. Look for carrots that mature in around 50 days, and plant in loose, well-draining soil that’s amended with compost. Water consistently to keep the soil moist, and use a shade cloth if needed to give the plants some relief from summer temperatures. If you want a cool-season crop, wait until late July or August to plant seeds for a fall harvest.
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06 of 07
Tomato
Botanical Name: Solanum lycopersicum
Soil Type: Loose, rich, well-draining, loamy
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (6.0-6.8)
Just because some tomatoes are at the end of their season doesn’t mean it’s too late to start another crop. It’s a good time to plant determinate or cherry tomatoes. They grow quickly, and you’ll get weeks of harvests before temperatures get too cold. Skip the seeds and buy a healthy plant from a local nursery to get a head start. Early Girl, Fourth of July, and Sungold varieties mature quickly. Even though tomatoes tolerate heat well, give young plants afternoon shade and water them frequently to help them survive intense heat.
07 of 07
Summer Squash
Botanical Name: Cucurbita pepo
Soil Type: Rich, well-draining
Soil pH: Slightly acidic (6.0-6.8)
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Squash that’s planted in the spring is susceptible to powdery mildew as summer intensifies. Since summer squash like yellow crookneck, yellow straightneck, pattypan, and zucchini grow quickly, planting a second crop in July can replace struggling plants. Sow the seeds in mid- to late-July and you’ll be able to harvest the vegetables in about 55 days. Give the seeds a jump-start to help them germinate faster by soaking them in water overnight before planting. Shade young plants from afternoon sun or apply mulch to keep the soil cool, and make sure the soil doesn’t dry out.
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