What to plant in July — zone 5a
Zone 5a averages its last spring frost around May 10 and its first fall frost around October 1. Everything below is timed from those two dates, so it stays useful whether you're planting for summer or for a fall harvest.
Direct sow for fall
- Lettucearound Jul 1
Succession sowing 3 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Peaaround Jul 5
Fall pea window opens — sowing now beats the last-minute date by a month of growth.
- Cilantroaround Jul 6
Succession sowing 3 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Carrotaround Jul 6
Fall carrot window opens — sowing now beats the last-minute date by a month of growth.
- Beetaround Jul 10
Fall beet window opens — sowing now beats the last-minute date by a month of growth.
- Dillaround Jul 10
Fall dill window opens — sowing now beats the last-minute date by a month of growth.
- Spinacharound Jul 22
Succession sowing 3 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Lettucearound Jul 22
Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Parsleyaround Jul 23
Counts back 70 days from your first frost. Takes a light frost with cover.
- Cilantroaround Jul 27
Succession sowing 2 of 3 — sow every 21 days for a steady cut.
- Bush beanaround Jul 28
Counts back 55 days from your first frost. Frost-tender — must finish before frost.
Start indoors for fall
Succession sow
- Bush beanaround Jul 5
Sowing 4: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Cucumberaround Jul 5
Sowing 3: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Zucchiniaround Jul 5
Sowing 3: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Sweet cornaround Jul 5
Sowing 4: replant every 14 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Basilaround Jul 5
Sowing 3: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Winter squasharound Jul 12
Sowing 3: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Beetaround Jul 19
Sowing 3: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Cucumberaround Jul 26
Sowing 4: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Zucchiniaround Jul 26
Sowing 4: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
- Basilaround Jul 26
Sowing 4: replant every 21 days so one planting never has to feed you all season.
Garden care
- Shade the cool-season bedaround Jul 5
30-40% shade cloth keeps lettuce, cilantro and spinach from bolting in peak heat.
- Scout for pests weeklyaround Jul 12
Squash bugs, hornworms and cucumber beetles peak now — five minutes of hand-picking beats a rescue spray.
Turn this into your own calendar
Get the full 12-month version for your exact ZIP — every sowing, transplant, and harvest window, with reminders you can add to your calendar. Free, no account needed to try.