What to plant in July in North Carolina
In North Carolina (NC), July is the heart of the growing season - about 14 weeks after the last frost (April 5) and 15 weeks before the first (October 25). The state averages 203 frost-free days a year (last frost April 5, first frost October 25; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b).
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 North Carolina frost dates (last frost Apr 5, first frost Oct 25). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in North Carolina.
North Carolina 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.
North Carolina: planting activity through the year
Last chance in July
Brussels Sprouts (start transplants for fall, by Jul 12)
For fall and winter harvests (12)
Sowings counted back from North Carolina'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brussels Sprouts | Start transplants for fall | Jun 25 – Jul 12 | Last chance - ends Jul 12 |
| Rutabaga | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 9 – Jul 26 | Jul 9 – Jul 26 |
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Opens Jul 16 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Opens Jul 16 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Opens Jul 16 |
| Cucumber | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Opens Jul 23 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Opens Jul 23 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 23 – Aug 9 | Opens Jul 23 |
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Opens Jul 30 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Opens Jul 30 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Opens Jul 30 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 30 – Aug 16 | Opens Jul 30 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Cucumber: sow again on Jul 12
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Jul 5
- Bush Bean: sow again on Jul 5 and Jul 19
- Sweet Corn: sow again on Jul 5 and Jul 19
- Basil: sow again on Jul 12
- Edamame (Soybean): sow again on Jul 5 and Jul 19
- Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Jul 12 and Jul 26
- Sunflower: sow again on Jul 5 and Jul 19
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Jul 5 and Jul 19
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 North Carolina
Every crop has its own full-year dates for North Carolina: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: July garden jobs in North Carolina
- 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.
- 15 weeks until the average first frost (October 25). Fall crops start now: brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage. 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: potato, tomato, sweet corn, sweet marjoram should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for North Carolina
North Carolina spans USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b. 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 North Carolina 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 North Carolina in July?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in North Carolina have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 8.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in North Carolina in July?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In North Carolina the next lettuce window opens around August 20: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in North Carolina?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 25 and the last spring frost around April 5. North Carolina 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 North Carolina in July?
From plantings made on time: potato, tomato, sweet corn, sweet marjoram, onion, shallot, bitter melon, bell pepper, southern pea (cowpea), thyme.
What to plant in July in other states
Dates are computed from North Carolina’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.