What to plant in July in Michigan
In Michigan (MI), July is the heart of the growing season - about 9 weeks after the last frost (May 10) and 12 weeks before the first (October 5). The state averages 148 frost-free days a year (last frost May 10, first frost October 5; USDA zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b).
34 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb) - and 4 of those windows close during July.
Dates here come from Michigan frost dates (last frost May 10, first frost Oct 5). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Michigan.
Michigan covers a very wide range of climates, so dates near you can be two weeks or more either side of these. Enter your ZIP code in the planting calendar for dates tuned to your town.
Michigan: planting activity through the year
Last chance in July
Rutabaga (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 6) · Broccoli (start transplants for fall, by Jul 13) · Cabbage (start transplants for fall, by Jul 13) · Cauliflower (start transplants for fall, by Jul 13)
For fall and winter harvests (29)
Sowings counted back from Michigan's first fall frost, so the crop matures before the cold - or, for garlic and similar, planted after it.
| Crop | What to do | Window | This month |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rutabaga | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 19 – Jul 6 | Last chance - ends Jul 6 |
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Jun 26 – Jul 13 | Last chance - ends Jul 13 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Jun 26 – Jul 13 | Last chance - ends Jul 13 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Jun 26 – Jul 13 | Last chance - ends Jul 13 |
| Cucumber | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 3 – Jul 20 | Jul 3 – Jul 20 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 3 – Jul 20 | Jul 3 – Jul 20 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 3 – Jul 20 | Jul 3 – Jul 20 |
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 10 – Jul 27 | Jul 10 – Jul 27 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 10 – Jul 27 | Jul 10 – Jul 27 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 10 – Jul 27 | Jul 10 – Jul 27 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 10 – Jul 27 | Jul 10 – Jul 27 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 17 – Aug 3 | Opens Jul 17 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 17 – Aug 3 | Opens Jul 17 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 17 – Aug 3 | Opens Jul 17 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 17 – Aug 3 | Opens Jul 17 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 17 – Aug 3 | Opens Jul 17 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 17 – Aug 3 | Opens Jul 17 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 24 – Aug 10 | Opens Jul 24 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 24 – Aug 10 | Opens Jul 24 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Opens Jul 31 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Opens Jul 31 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Opens Jul 31 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Opens Jul 31 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Opens Jul 31 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Opens Jul 31 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Opens Jul 31 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Opens Jul 31 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Opens Jul 31 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 31 – Aug 17 | Opens Jul 31 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Cucumber: sow again on Jul 5 and Jul 26
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Jul 12
- Bush Bean: sow again on Jul 12 and Jul 26
- Sweet Corn: sow again on Jul 12
- Basil: sow again on Jul 5 and Jul 26
- Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Jul 5 and Jul 19
- Sunflower: sow again on Jul 12
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Jul 12 and Jul 26
Harvesting in July
First harvests expected this month from crops sown or planted on time earlier in the season.
Planting dates for popular crops in Michigan
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Michigan: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: July garden jobs in Michigan
- 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.
- 12 weeks until the average first frost (October 5). Fall crops start now: rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower. See the fall and winter garden guide.
- Check the undersides of leaves twice a week - catching pests early is most of the battle (pest identification guide).
- Harvest often: cilantro / coriander, green onion / scallion, collard greens, napa cabbage should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Michigan
Michigan spans USDA zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 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.
Questions gardeners ask
What vegetables can I plant in Michigan in July?
34 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 Michigan in July?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Michigan have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 15.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Michigan in July?
No - sow for a fall crop runs Jul 31 – Aug 17 in Michigan.
When is the first frost in Michigan?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 5 and the last spring frost around May 10. Michigan covers a wide range of climates, so local dates can differ by two weeks or more - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Michigan in July?
From plantings made on time: cilantro / coriander, green onion / scallion, collard greens, napa cabbage, amaranth (leaf), cabbage, carrot, dill, borage, basil.
What to plant in July in other states
Dates are computed from Michigan’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.