My Planting Calendar

What to plant in July in Minnesota

In Minnesota (MN), July is the heart of the growing season - about 10 weeks after the last frost (May 6) and 11 weeks before the first (September 28). The state averages 145 frost-free days a year (last frost May 6, first frost September 28; USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a).

37 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb), zucchini / summer squash - and 6 of those windows close during July.

Dates here come from Minnesota frost dates (last frost May 6, first frost Sep 28). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Minnesota.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 37Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 51

Minnesota: planting activity through the year

0
8
39
69
84
46
37
22
0
2
0
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: May 6 – Sep 28
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 37 have one in July; the busiest month is May (84).

Last chance in July

Broccoli (start transplants for fall, by Jul 6) · Cabbage (start transplants for fall, by Jul 6) · Cauliflower (start transplants for fall, by Jul 6) · Cucumber (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 13) · Fennel (Bulb) (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 13) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 13)

For fall and winter harvests (33)

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

CropWhat to doWindowThis month
BroccoliStart transplants for fallJun 19 – Jul 6Last chance - ends Jul 6
CabbageStart transplants for fallJun 19 – Jul 6Last chance - ends Jul 6
CauliflowerStart transplants for fallJun 19 – Jul 6Last chance - ends Jul 6
CucumberSow for a fall cropJun 26 – Jul 13Last chance - ends Jul 13
Fennel (Bulb)Sow for a fall cropJun 26 – Jul 13Last chance - ends Jul 13
Zucchini / Summer SquashSow for a fall cropJun 26 – Jul 13Last chance - ends Jul 13
Bush BeanSow for a fall cropJul 3 – Jul 20Jul 3 – Jul 20
CarrotSow for a fall cropJul 3 – Jul 20Jul 3 – Jul 20
KaleSow for a fall cropJul 3 – Jul 20Jul 3 – Jul 20
RadicchioSow for a fall cropJul 3 – Jul 20Jul 3 – Jul 20
Collard GreensSow for a fall cropJul 10 – Jul 27Jul 10 – Jul 27
Endive & EscaroleSow for a fall cropJul 10 – Jul 27Jul 10 – Jul 27
Napa CabbageSow for a fall cropJul 10 – Jul 27Jul 10 – Jul 27
ParsleySow for a fall cropJul 10 – Jul 27Jul 10 – Jul 27
PeaSow for a fall cropJul 10 – Jul 27Jul 10 – Jul 27
Swiss ChardSow for a fall cropJul 10 – Jul 27Jul 10 – Jul 27
BeetSow for a fall cropJul 17 – Aug 3Opens Jul 17
Cilantro / CorianderSow for a fall cropJul 17 – Aug 3Opens Jul 17
Bok Choy / Pak ChoiSow for a fall cropJul 24 – Aug 10Opens Jul 24
BorageSow for a fall cropJul 24 – Aug 10Opens Jul 24
DillSow for a fall cropJul 24 – Aug 10Opens Jul 24
Fava Bean (Broad Bean)Sow for a fall cropJul 24 – Aug 10Opens Jul 24
Green Onion / ScallionSow for a fall cropJul 24 – Aug 10Opens Jul 24
KohlrabiSow for a fall cropJul 24 – Aug 10Opens Jul 24
LettuceSow for a fall cropJul 24 – Aug 10Opens Jul 24
Mache (Corn Salad)Sow for a fall cropJul 24 – Aug 10Opens Jul 24
MizunaSow for a fall cropJul 24 – Aug 10Opens Jul 24
Rapini (Broccoli Raab)Sow for a fall cropJul 24 – Aug 10Opens Jul 24
ChervilSow for a fall cropJul 31 – Aug 17Opens Jul 31
Mustard GreensSow for a fall cropJul 31 – Aug 17Opens Jul 31
SpinachSow for a fall cropJul 31 – Aug 17Opens Jul 31
TatsoiSow for a fall cropJul 31 – Aug 17Opens Jul 31
TurnipSow for a fall cropJul 31 – Aug 17Opens Jul 31

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.

Cilantro / Coriander · Jun 6 – Jul 1Napa Cabbage · Jun 11 – Jul 6Amaranth (Leaf) · Jun 12 – Jul 2Cabbage · Jun 14 – Jul 24Carrot · Jun 14 – Jul 4Dill · Jun 15 – Jul 5Borage · Jun 16 – Jul 6Basil · Jun 19 – Jul 19Broccoli · Jun 21 – Jul 16Cauliflower · Jun 21 – Jul 21Radicchio · Jun 21 – Jul 31Fava Bean (Broad Bean) · Jun 22 – Jul 7Zucchini / Summer Squash · Jun 27 – Jul 12Tarragon · Jun 28 – Jul 28Potato · Jul 1 – Aug 20Parsley · Jul 1 – Jul 21Bush Bean · Jul 2 – Jul 12New Zealand Spinach · Jul 2 – Jul 22Fennel (Bulb) · Jul 3 – Jul 28Summer Savory · Jul 7 – Jul 22Mint · Jul 8 – Jul 28Lemon Balm · Jul 8 – Jul 28Cucumber · Jul 9 – Jul 29Okra · Jul 9 – Jul 24Tomato · Jul 12 – Aug 6Pole Bean · Jul 12 – Jul 22Sweet Corn · Jul 12 – Aug 21Sweet Marjoram · Jul 12 – Aug 1Onion · Jul 14 – Aug 13Shallot · Jul 14 – Aug 13Bitter Melon · Jul 14 – Aug 3Malabar Spinach · Jul 14 – Jul 29Endive & Escarole · Jul 16 – Jul 31Bell Pepper · Jul 19 – Aug 18Southern Pea (Cowpea) · Jul 19 – Aug 18Thyme · Jul 20 – Aug 4Sage · Jul 20 – Aug 4Brussels Sprouts · Jul 21 – Aug 20Ground Cherry · Jul 22 – Aug 11Sunflower · Jul 22 – Aug 21Shiso (Perilla) · Jul 22 – Aug 11Lima Bean · Jul 24 – Aug 23Cucamelon · Jul 24 – Aug 3Oregano · Jul 25 – Aug 4Edamame (Soybean) · Jul 27 – Aug 21Tomatillo · Jul 27 – Aug 21Chili Pepper · Jul 29 – Aug 28Cantaloupe / Muskmelon · Jul 29 – Aug 18Watermelon · Jul 29 – Aug 28Eggplant · Jul 31 – Aug 20Leek · Jul 31 – Sep 19

Planting dates for popular crops in Minnesota

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

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

Peak growing season: July garden jobs in Minnesota

  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. 11 weeks until the average first frost (September 28). Fall crops start now: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber. 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: cilantro / coriander, napa cabbage, amaranth (leaf), cabbage should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Minnesota

Minnesota spans USDA zones 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a. 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 3May 15Sep 15120 days
Zone 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Minnesota in July?

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

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

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Minnesota have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 11.

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

No - sow for a fall crop runs Jul 24 – Aug 10 in Minnesota.

When is the first frost in Minnesota?

The statewide average first fall frost is around September 28 and the last spring frost around May 6. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Minnesota in July?

From plantings made on time: cilantro / coriander, napa cabbage, amaranth (leaf), cabbage, carrot, dill, borage, basil, broccoli, cauliflower.

← June in MinnesotaAugust in Minnesota →Full-year Minnesota planting calendar →Minnesota frost dates →

What to plant in July in other states

IllinoisIndianaIowaMichiganMissouriOhioWisconsinAlabamaAll states →

Dates are computed from Minnesota’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.