My Planting Calendar

What to plant in July in Delaware

In Delaware (DE), July is the heart of the growing season - about 13 weeks after the last frost (April 14) and 14 weeks before the first (October 22). The state averages 191 frost-free days a year (last frost April 14, first frost October 22; USDA zones 7a, 7b).

18 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber - and 1 of those windows close during July.

Dates here come from Delaware frost dates (last frost Apr 14, first frost Oct 22). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Delaware.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 18Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 44

Delaware: planting activity through the year

5
29
68
89
58
10
18
35
19
1
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 14 – Oct 22
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 18 have one in July; the busiest month is April (89).

Last chance in July

Brussels Sprouts (start transplants for fall, by Jul 9)

For fall and winter harvests (12)

Sowings counted back from Delaware's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
Brussels SproutsStart transplants for fallJun 22 – Jul 9Last chance - ends Jul 9
RutabagaSow for a fall cropJul 6 – Jul 23Jul 6 – Jul 23
BroccoliStart transplants for fallJul 13 – Jul 30Jul 13 – Jul 30
CabbageStart transplants for fallJul 13 – Jul 30Jul 13 – Jul 30
CauliflowerStart transplants for fallJul 13 – Jul 30Jul 13 – Jul 30
CucumberSow for a fall cropJul 20 – Aug 6Opens Jul 20
Fennel (Bulb)Sow for a fall cropJul 20 – Aug 6Opens Jul 20
Zucchini / Summer SquashSow for a fall cropJul 20 – Aug 6Opens Jul 20
Bush BeanSow for a fall cropJul 27 – Aug 13Opens Jul 27
CarrotSow for a fall cropJul 27 – Aug 13Opens Jul 27
KaleSow for a fall cropJul 27 – Aug 13Opens Jul 27
RadicchioSow for a fall cropJul 27 – Aug 13Opens Jul 27

Keep sowing (succession)

Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.

Harvesting in July

First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.

Cabbage · May 23 – Jul 2Radicchio · May 30 – Jul 9Tarragon · Jun 6 – Jul 6Potato · Jun 9 – Jul 29Fennel (Bulb) · Jun 11 – Jul 6Mint · Jun 16 – Jul 6Lemon Balm · Jun 16 – Jul 6Cucumber · Jun 17 – Jul 7Okra · Jun 17 – Jul 2Tomato · Jun 20 – Jul 15Sweet Corn · Jun 20 – Jul 30Sweet Marjoram · Jun 20 – Jul 10Onion · Jun 22 – Jul 22Shallot · Jun 22 – Jul 22Bitter Melon · Jun 22 – Jul 12Malabar Spinach · Jun 22 – Jul 7Endive & Escarole · Jun 24 – Jul 9Bell Pepper · Jun 27 – Jul 27Southern Pea (Cowpea) · Jun 27 – Jul 27Thyme · Jun 28 – Jul 13Sage · Jun 28 – Jul 13Brussels Sprouts · Jun 29 – Jul 29Ground Cherry · Jun 30 – Jul 20Sunflower · Jun 30 – Jul 30Shiso (Perilla) · Jun 30 – Jul 20Lima Bean · Jul 2 – Aug 1Cucamelon · Jul 2 – Jul 12Oregano · Jul 3 – Jul 13Edamame (Soybean) · Jul 5 – Jul 30Tomatillo · Jul 5 – Jul 30Chili Pepper · Jul 7 – Aug 6Cantaloupe / Muskmelon · Jul 7 – Jul 27Watermelon · Jul 7 – Aug 6Eggplant · Jul 9 – Jul 29Leek · Jul 9 – Aug 28Winter Squash · Jul 10 – Aug 9Parsnip · Jul 16 – Aug 15Salsify · Jul 19 – Aug 28Pumpkin · Jul 20 – Aug 19Rosemary · Jul 20 – Aug 19Celery · Jul 23 – Sep 1Celeriac · Jul 23 – Aug 12Luffa (Loofah Gourd) · Jul 27 – Sep 25Peanut · Jul 30 – Sep 18

Planting dates for popular crops in Delaware

Every crop has its own full-year dates for Delaware: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.

When to plant broccoli in Delaware →When to plant cabbage in Delaware →When to plant cauliflower in Delaware →When to plant cucumber in Delaware →When to plant zucchini in Delaware →When to plant bush bean in Delaware →When to plant carrot in Delaware →When to plant kale in Delaware →Delaware frost dates by zone →

Peak growing season: July garden jobs in Delaware

  1. Water deeply two or three times a week rather than a little every day - about an inch a week, more in heat. See watering a vegetable garden.
  2. 14 weeks until the average first frost (October 22). Fall crops start now: brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage. See the fall and winter garden guide.
  3. Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
  4. Harvest often: cabbage, radicchio, tarragon, potato should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Delaware in July?

18 crops have a window in July: brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb), zucchini / summer squash, bush bean, carrot and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.

Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Delaware in July?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Delaware have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 17.

Is it too late to plant lettuce in Delaware in July?

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Delaware the next lettuce window opens around August 17: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in Delaware?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 22 and the last spring frost around April 14. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Delaware in July?

From plantings made on time: cabbage, radicchio, tarragon, potato, fennel (bulb), mint, lemon balm, cucumber, okra, tomato.

← June in DelawareAugust in Delaware →Full-year Delaware planting calendar →Delaware frost dates →

What to plant in July in other states

District of ColumbiaMarylandNew JerseyPennsylvaniaVirginiaWest VirginiaAlabamaAlaskaAll states →

Dates are computed from Delaware’s statewide average frost dates (from NOAA/NCEI climate normals) and each crop’s timing in our crop database. Your garden may be a week or two either side - for dates tuned to your ZIP code, use the planting calendar.