Zone 3a planting calendar

What to plant in July — zone 3a

Zone 3a averages its last spring frost around May 30 and its first fall frost around September 10. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.

Last frost: May 30
First frost: September 10
Winter lows: -40 to -35 °F

Direct sow for fall

  • Spinacharound Jul 1

    Succession sowing 3 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.

  • Lettucearound Jul 1

    Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.

  • Parsleyaround Jul 2

    Counts back 70 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.

  • Cilantroaround Jul 6

    Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.

  • Bush beanaround Jul 7

    Counts back 55 days from your first frost. Frost-tender — must finish before frost.

  • Peaaround Jul 12

    Counts back 60 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.

  • Carrotaround Jul 13

    Counts back 70 days from your first frost. Frost-hardy — light freezes sweeten it.

  • Beetaround Jul 17

    Counts back 55 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.

  • Dillaround Jul 17

    Counts back 45 days from your first frost. Frost-tender — must finish before frost.

  • Spinacharound Jul 22

    Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.

  • Lettucearound Jul 22

    Counts back 50 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.

  • Radisharound Jul 25

    Succession sowing 3 of 3 — sow every 14 days for a steady cut.

  • Cilantroaround Jul 27

    Counts back 45 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.

Garden care

  • Side-dress heavy feedersaround Jul 11

    Tomatoes, peppers, corn and squash get compost or fish emulsion once fruit sets.

  • Prune and stake tomatoesaround Jul 18

    Pull suckers and lower leaves for airflow — the main defense against blight in humid heat.

  • Shade the cool-season bedaround Jul 25

    30-40% shade cloth keeps lettuce, cilantro and spinach from bolting in peak heat.

Transplant for fall

  • Broccoliaround Jul 18

    Last safe transplant date to mature (65 days) before frost on 09-10.

  • Kalearound Jul 28

    Last safe transplant date to mature (55 days) before frost on 09-10.

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