As summer reaches its peak, many gardeners think the planting season is over. However, July is the perfect time to plant certain vegetables that will thrive in the cooler fall weather and provide a bountiful harvest before the first frost. With a little planning, you can extend your growing season and enjoy fresh produce well into the autumn months.
I can’t tell you how much I love harvesting fresh veggies in the fall! It’s incredibly rewarding to continue enjoying homegrown produce even as the days start to cool. Let’s dive into ten vegetables that you can harvest and re-plant in July for a delicious fall harvest. These vegetables are perfect for succession planting, allowing you to maximize your garden’s productivity.
Beets
Beets are a fantastic choice for a fall harvest. They thrive in cooler weather and can be planted in July for a fresh crop in the fall. Beets are fast-growing, maturing in about 50 to 70 days, making them perfect for succession planting. Sow the seeds directly into the garden and thin the seedlings to give them enough space to grow.
I love the earthy sweetness of freshly harvested beets. They are incredibly versatile, great for roasting, pickling, or adding to salads. Don’t forget about the beet greens—they are edible and nutritious, perfect for sautéing or adding to soups and salads. Planting beets in July ensures a steady supply of these vibrant roots and greens well into the fall.
Carrots
Carrots are another excellent vegetable to plant in July for a fall harvest. They thrive in cooler temperatures and can be harvested well into the late fall. Choose quick-maturing varieties that will be ready to harvest in about 60 to 80 days. Sow the seeds directly into the soil and keep the bed moist until the seeds germinate.
I find that fall-harvested carrots are some of the sweetest and most flavorful. The cooler weather enhances their natural sugars, making them a delightful addition to any meal. Carrots are perfect for snacking, roasting, or adding to soups and stews. Planting them in July ensures a bountiful harvest of these crunchy, sweet roots in the fall.
Spinach
Spinach is a cool-season crop that can be planted in July for a fall harvest. It thrives in cooler temperatures and grows quickly, often ready to harvest in as little as 30 days. Sow the seeds directly into the garden and thin the seedlings to allow room for growth. Regularly harvesting the outer leaves encourages the plant to continue producing.
I love how spinach adds a burst of green to my fall meals. It’s incredibly nutritious, packed with vitamins and minerals. Whether you’re adding it to salads, smoothies, or cooked dishes, spinach is a versatile green that can be enjoyed in many ways. Planting spinach in July ensures a steady supply of fresh greens as the weather cools.
Broccoli
Broccoli is a cool-season crop that can be planted in July for a fall harvest. It thrives in cooler temperatures and will produce heads ready to harvest in about 60 to 90 days, depending on the variety. Start with seedlings or direct sow seeds into the garden, ensuring they receive plenty of sunlight and consistent moisture.
I adore fresh broccoli for its crisp texture and rich flavor. It’s perfect for steaming, roasting, or adding to stir-fries and salads. Plus, broccoli is packed with nutrients, making it a healthy addition to any meal. Planting broccoli in July ensures you’ll have a bountiful harvest of this nutritious vegetable in the fall.
Radishes
Radishes are one of the quickest vegetables to grow, making them perfect for planting in July for a fall harvest. They mature in as little as 25 to 30 days, allowing for multiple succession plantings. Sow the seeds directly into the garden and thin the seedlings to give them enough space to develop.
I love the crisp, peppery flavor of fresh radishes. They add a delightful crunch to salads and can be enjoyed raw, pickled, or roasted. Radishes are also excellent companion plants, helping to deter pests from other vegetables. Planting them in July ensures a continuous supply of these tasty roots throughout the fall.
Kale
Kale is a hardy green that thrives in cooler weather, making it perfect for planting in July for a fall harvest. It matures in about 50 to 70 days, depending on the variety. Sow the seeds directly into the garden or transplant seedlings, ensuring they have plenty of space to grow.
I find that kale becomes even sweeter and more flavorful after a light frost. It’s incredibly nutritious, packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Whether you’re adding it to smoothies, soups, or salads, kale is a versatile green that can be enjoyed in many dishes. Planting kale in July ensures a steady supply of fresh greens well into the fall.
Lettuce
Lettuce is a cool-season crop that can be planted in July for a fall harvest. Choose quick-maturing varieties that will be ready to harvest in about 30 to 60 days. Sow the seeds directly into the garden and thin the seedlings to allow room for growth. Regularly harvesting the outer leaves encourages the plant to continue producing.
I love how lettuce adds a fresh, crisp element to my fall meals. It’s perfect for salads, sandwiches, and wraps. There are many varieties to choose from, each offering unique flavors and textures. Planting lettuce in July ensures a continuous supply of fresh, homegrown greens as the weather cools.
Turnips
Turnips are a versatile root vegetable that can be planted in July for a fall harvest. They mature in about 40 to 60 days, making them ideal for succession planting. Sow the seeds directly into the garden and thin the seedlings to give them enough space to grow.
I appreciate turnips for their sweet, earthy flavor and nutritional benefits. Both the roots and greens are edible, providing multiple culinary uses. Turnips are great for roasting, mashing, or adding to soups and stews. Planting them in July ensures a bountiful harvest of these delicious roots and greens in the fall.
Green Beans
Green beans, both bush and pole varieties, are excellent for planting in July for a fall harvest. They mature quickly, typically within 50 to 60 days, and will continue to produce as long as you keep picking the pods. Sow the seeds directly into the garden and provide support for pole beans as they grow.
I love the crisp, tender pods of fresh green beans. They are perfect for steaming, sautéing, or adding to salads and casseroles. Green beans are also nitrogen fixers, improving soil health for future crops. Planting them in July ensures a continuous supply of these delicious beans well into the fall.
Collard Greens
Collard greens are a hardy, cool-season crop that can be planted in July for a fall harvest. They mature in about 60 to 85 days, depending on the variety. Sow the seeds directly into the garden or transplant seedlings, ensuring they have plenty of space to grow.
I find that collard greens develop a sweeter flavor after a light frost. They are packed with nutrients and perfect for sautéing, adding to soups, or using in wraps. Collard greens are a staple in many traditional dishes and provide a steady supply of fresh greens throughout the fall.
Cabbage
Cabbage is a cool-season crop that can be planted in July for a fall harvest. It matures in about 70 to 100 days, depending on the variety. Start with seedlings or direct sow seeds into the garden, ensuring they receive plenty of sunlight and consistent moisture.
I adore fresh cabbage for its versatility and nutritional benefits. It’s perfect for salads, slaws, fermenting into sauerkraut, or adding to soups and stews. Planting cabbage in July ensures you’ll have a bountiful harvest of this crunchy, nutritious vegetable in the fall.
By incorporating these ten vegetables into your garden in July, you can enjoy a bountiful fall harvest and extend your growing season.
