My Planting Calendar

What to plant in July in Indiana

In Indiana (IN), July is the heart of the growing season - about 12 weeks after the last frost (April 24) and 13 weeks before the first (October 11). The state averages 170 frost-free days a year (last frost April 24, first frost October 11; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b).

25 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb) - and 1 of those windows close during July.

Dates here come from Indiana frost dates (last frost Apr 24, first frost Oct 11). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Indiana.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 25Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 47

Indiana: planting activity through the year

1
24
65
78
66
11
25
32
3
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 24 – Oct 11
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 25 have one in July; the busiest month is April (78).

Last chance in July

Rutabaga (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 12)

For fall and winter harvests (19)

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

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
RutabagaSow for a fall cropJun 25 – Jul 12Last chance - ends Jul 12
BroccoliStart transplants for fallJul 2 – Jul 19Jul 2 – Jul 19
CabbageStart transplants for fallJul 2 – Jul 19Jul 2 – Jul 19
CauliflowerStart transplants for fallJul 2 – Jul 19Jul 2 – Jul 19
CucumberSow for a fall cropJul 9 – Jul 26Jul 9 – Jul 26
Fennel (Bulb)Sow for a fall cropJul 9 – Jul 26Jul 9 – Jul 26
Zucchini / Summer SquashSow for a fall cropJul 9 – Jul 26Jul 9 – Jul 26
Bush BeanSow for a fall cropJul 16 – Aug 2Opens Jul 16
CarrotSow for a fall cropJul 16 – Aug 2Opens Jul 16
KaleSow for a fall cropJul 16 – Aug 2Opens Jul 16
RadicchioSow for a fall cropJul 16 – Aug 2Opens Jul 16
Collard GreensSow for a fall cropJul 23 – Aug 9Opens Jul 23
Endive & EscaroleSow for a fall cropJul 23 – Aug 9Opens Jul 23
Napa CabbageSow for a fall cropJul 23 – Aug 9Opens Jul 23
ParsleySow for a fall cropJul 23 – Aug 9Opens Jul 23
PeaSow for a fall cropJul 23 – Aug 9Opens Jul 23
Swiss ChardSow for a fall cropJul 23 – Aug 9Opens Jul 23
BeetSow for a fall cropJul 30 – Aug 16Opens Jul 30
Cilantro / CorianderSow for a fall cropJul 30 – Aug 16Opens Jul 30

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 · Jun 2 – Jul 12Basil · Jun 7 – Jul 7Broccoli · Jun 9 – Jul 4Cauliflower · Jun 9 – Jul 9Radicchio · Jun 9 – Jul 19Tarragon · Jun 16 – Jul 16Potato · Jun 19 – Aug 8Parsley · Jun 19 – Jul 9New Zealand Spinach · Jun 20 – Jul 10Fennel (Bulb) · Jun 21 – Jul 16Summer Savory · Jun 25 – Jul 10Mint · Jun 26 – Jul 16Lemon Balm · Jun 26 – Jul 16Cucumber · Jun 27 – Jul 17Okra · Jun 27 – Jul 12Tomato · Jun 30 – Jul 25Pole Bean · Jun 30 – Jul 10Sweet Corn · Jun 30 – Aug 9Sweet Marjoram · Jun 30 – Jul 20Onion · Jul 2 – Aug 1Shallot · Jul 2 – Aug 1Bitter Melon · Jul 2 – Jul 22Malabar Spinach · Jul 2 – Jul 17Endive & Escarole · Jul 4 – Jul 19Bell Pepper · Jul 7 – Aug 6Southern Pea (Cowpea) · Jul 7 – Aug 6Thyme · Jul 8 – Jul 23Sage · Jul 8 – Jul 23Brussels Sprouts · Jul 9 – Aug 8Ground Cherry · Jul 10 – Jul 30Sunflower · Jul 10 – Aug 9Shiso (Perilla) · Jul 10 – Jul 30Lima Bean · Jul 12 – Aug 11Cucamelon · Jul 12 – Jul 22Oregano · Jul 13 – Jul 23Edamame (Soybean) · Jul 15 – Aug 9Tomatillo · Jul 15 – Aug 9Chili Pepper · Jul 17 – Aug 16Cantaloupe / Muskmelon · Jul 17 – Aug 6Watermelon · Jul 17 – Aug 16Eggplant · Jul 19 – Aug 8Leek · Jul 19 – Sep 7Winter Squash · Jul 20 – Aug 19Parsnip · Jul 26 – Aug 25Salsify · Jul 29 – Sep 7Pumpkin · Jul 30 – Aug 29Rosemary · Jul 30 – Aug 29

Planting dates for popular crops in Indiana

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

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

Peak growing season: July garden jobs in Indiana

  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. 13 weeks until the average first frost (October 11). Fall crops start now: rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower. 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, basil, broccoli, cauliflower should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Indiana

Indiana spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b. Colder zones, usually higher or further inland, have a later last spring frost and an earlier first fall frost than the state average.

ZoneLast frostFirst frostSeason
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Indiana in July?

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

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

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Indiana have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 27.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Indiana the next lettuce window opens around August 6: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in Indiana?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 11 and the last spring frost around April 24. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Indiana in July?

From plantings made on time: cabbage, basil, broccoli, cauliflower, radicchio, tarragon, potato, parsley, new zealand spinach, fennel (bulb).

← June in IndianaAugust in Indiana →Full-year Indiana planting calendar →Indiana frost dates →

What to plant in July in other states

IllinoisIowaMichiganMinnesotaMissouriOhioWisconsinAlabamaAll states →

Dates are computed from Indiana’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.