While June temps can still be on the cooler side in some of the milder climates, July is the great equalizer. No matter where you live, July’s strong sun and high temperatures make gardening a bit of a challenge for both the garden and the gardener alike. But no worries — we’ve got a July garden checklist to keep you cool and on track!
Plan
Remember the garden journal we talked about last winter? Now’s the time to use it — record what you planted and where, how things are growing, and any unusual pests, diseases, or weather issues that you notice. Take photos to keep the details fresh, and jot down notes for the fall garden.
Maintain
Continue to stay on top of weeds so they don’t take over your veggies or flowers. Water deeply but less frequently to avoid stressing your plants, and water earlier in the morning to give everything a better chance to withstand the afternoon heat. Get your container plantings and annual flowers on a regular fertilizing schedule using organic materials. Remove and dispose of any dead or diseased plants, mulch or use cover crops to protect soil surfaces, and collect seeds from plants that are doing well. You’ll be happy next year that you did!
Sow/Plant Indoors
While most of our garden activity focus outdoors, there are still indoor garden chores to do, particularly if you are planning ahead for your fall garden.
Zones 4-6: May pre-sprout peas (snow and sugar snap), and start seeds for broccoli, carrots, spinach, lettuce, kale, and beets.
Zone 7: Can start seeds for cabbage, and cool-season annuals for the fall garden.
Zones 9-10 can start seeds for pepper and tomatoes for the fall season.
Sow/Plant Outdoors
Most zones can plant almost anything right now, from veggies and fruits to perennials and annuals. If you live in areas of high heat, avoid planting trees and large shrubs during this time, however — the soaring temps will stress them too much while they are getting established.
Zone 4: Can set out transplants of broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage as well as a second crop of green beans and summer squash. Seeds of kale and Asian greens can also be sown for fall harvest.
Zones 5-6: Can plant cilantro, bush beans, and summer squash, as well as carrots, kale, beets, and chard for fall harvest.
Zones 7-10: Can plant tomatoes, peppers, and eggplant for late summer harvest, and beans, squash, turnips, beets, carrots, and lettuce for the fall.
Harvest
All Zones: Continue to harvest basil, blackberries, tomatoes, squash, potatoes, peppers, green beans, onions, cucumbers, garlic, and okra.
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Hey, thanks for the great checklist. Summer gardening is my favorite! -Jack
Thanks for all the tips, but I’m at my wits with the caterpillar forming nests in the flowers of my eggplants and chewing the flowers. Any suggestions?
Hi Rosemary we have a post on growing eggplants here https://www.kellogggarden.com/blog/growing/growing-eggplant/ for those pesky worms and caterpillars being very diligent in picking them off is the first defense you could also try using row covers with a fine mesh covering to keep the bugs out. Light will still get in but the bugs will have a harder time.
what can I plant by seed right now, vegetable wise? Also, is there any place near me (Louisville, Ky) where I can get healthy plants, like tomatoes for this season?
Hi Linda, Kentucky is in planting zones 6 & 7, it looks like you are in zone 6 you can use your zip code to find your exact zone here https://www.kellogggarden.com/blog/gardening/how-to-find-your-planting-zone/ so you can plant quite a bit this month and next, beans, Brussel sprouts, cabbage, corn, cucumbers, onions, peppers, squash, tomatoes, and quite a bit more. This guide will give you more details on what you can grow each month in your zone. https://www.kellogggarden.com/monthly-organic-gardening-ebook/ To find edible starter plants in your area start with garden centers and nurseries.
HELLO
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME FOE LETTUCE I HAVE SOME GROWING NOW BUT NOT DOING WELL
THANK YOU
Hi Jim! It depends on your grow zone for exact dates (you can search by your zip code here https://www.kellogggarden.com/blog/gardening/how-to-find-your-planting-zone/) but spring and fall are great for greens, summer gets a bit too hot for greens. Many regions in the U.S. will be sowing seeds and transplanting greens July – August. You can get month by month growing advice by zone in this guide https://www.kellogggarden.com/monthly-organic-gardening-ebook/
It says in July do indoors:
Zones 4-6: May pre-sprout peas (snow and sugar snap), and start seeds for broccoli, carrots, spinach, lettuce, kale, and beets.
Can I just seed these directly in the soil instead?
Hi Amy, Indoor seed starting gives you the most control over your seedlings. You can watch the germination rate of your seeds, and give them more moisture or more warmth as needed. In a contained environment, seedlings are less prone to pests and diseases and they are stronger when they are transplanted. You can start them in the soil if you’d like you will just need to watch them carefully.
Feeling kind of left out in zone three ?
With temps in the 90’s and 100’s in zone 7b can I really start my seeds outside now for fall? I’m afraid the heat will kill them and Or they won’t germinate.
Where should I start these so they don’t burn up.
Also, It’s so hot that I’m watering deep every day. Is that too much? My plants are wilting in the heat of the day.
Hi Sharon, the recommended planting by zones are based on the average yearly extremes for minimum temperatures in a given area but they do not account for micro-climates or changes in weather patterns. If it is too hot to start your seeds outside you can start them inside, in a greenhouse or shaded area so you can control the environment a bit better. Here is a video from an organic seed company that can help you with your seed starting https://youtu.be/5fhJZvcRY_U Watering every day can be necessary when it is really hot if you stick your finger in the soil and it is dry then watering every day is fine. You just don’t want the soil to be soaking wet. Mulching your soil will help retain moisture, and creating shade with a shade cloth can help also. If the plants wilt slightly but pop back up after the sun goes down then the plant is okay, if it continues to sag then the plant needs more water. An olla or an inverted bottle with water can also help you see how much water the soil is retaining, you can learn about them here: https://www.kellogggarden.com/blog/gardening/garden-watering-hacks/
Oh good! I can sow pepper seeds! I am in Zone 9-10