My Planting Calendar

What to plant in July in Ohio

In Ohio (OH), July is the heart of the growing season - about 12 weeks after the last frost (April 25) and 13 weeks before the first (October 14). The state averages 172 frost-free days a year (last frost April 25, first frost October 14; USDA zones 5b, 6a, 6b).

24 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including brussels sprouts, rutabaga, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber - and 2 of those windows close during July.

Dates here come from Ohio frost dates (last frost Apr 25, first frost Oct 14). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Ohio.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 24Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 49

Ohio: planting activity through the year

1
24
65
78
66
11
24
34
8
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 25 – Oct 14
Bars count the vegetables, herbs and fruit with a sowing or planting window in each month, from the state’s average frost dates. 24 have one in July; the busiest month is April (78).

Last chance in July

Brussels Sprouts (start transplants for fall, by Jul 1) · Rutabaga (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 15)

For fall and winter harvests (18)

Sowings counted back from Ohio'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 14 – Jul 1Last chance - ends Jul 1
RutabagaSow for a fall cropJun 28 – Jul 15Last chance - ends Jul 15
BroccoliStart transplants for fallJul 5 – Jul 22Jul 5 – Jul 22
CabbageStart transplants for fallJul 5 – Jul 22Jul 5 – Jul 22
CauliflowerStart transplants for fallJul 5 – Jul 22Jul 5 – Jul 22
CucumberSow for a fall cropJul 12 – Jul 29Jul 12 – Jul 29
Fennel (Bulb)Sow for a fall cropJul 12 – Jul 29Jul 12 – Jul 29
Zucchini / Summer SquashSow for a fall cropJul 12 – Jul 29Jul 12 – Jul 29
Bush BeanSow for a fall cropJul 19 – Aug 5Opens Jul 19
CarrotSow for a fall cropJul 19 – Aug 5Opens Jul 19
KaleSow for a fall cropJul 19 – Aug 5Opens Jul 19
RadicchioSow for a fall cropJul 19 – Aug 5Opens Jul 19
Collard GreensSow for a fall cropJul 26 – Aug 12Opens Jul 26
Endive & EscaroleSow for a fall cropJul 26 – Aug 12Opens Jul 26
Napa CabbageSow for a fall cropJul 26 – Aug 12Opens Jul 26
ParsleySow for a fall cropJul 26 – Aug 12Opens Jul 26
PeaSow for a fall cropJul 26 – Aug 12Opens Jul 26
Swiss ChardSow for a fall cropJul 26 – Aug 12Opens Jul 26

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 3 – Jul 13Basil · Jun 8 – Jul 8Broccoli · Jun 10 – Jul 5Cauliflower · Jun 10 – Jul 10Radicchio · Jun 10 – Jul 20Zucchini / Summer Squash · Jun 16 – Jul 1Tarragon · Jun 17 – Jul 17Potato · Jun 20 – Aug 9Parsley · Jun 20 – Jul 10Bush Bean · Jun 21 – Jul 1New Zealand Spinach · Jun 21 – Jul 11Fennel (Bulb) · Jun 22 – Jul 17Summer Savory · Jun 26 – Jul 11Mint · Jun 27 – Jul 17Lemon Balm · Jun 27 – Jul 17Cucumber · Jun 28 – Jul 18Okra · Jun 28 – Jul 13Tomato · Jul 1 – Jul 26Pole Bean · Jul 1 – Jul 11Sweet Corn · Jul 1 – Aug 10Sweet Marjoram · Jul 1 – Jul 21Onion · Jul 3 – Aug 2Shallot · Jul 3 – Aug 2Bitter Melon · Jul 3 – Jul 23Malabar Spinach · Jul 3 – Jul 18Endive & Escarole · Jul 5 – Jul 20Bell Pepper · Jul 8 – Aug 7Southern Pea (Cowpea) · Jul 8 – Aug 7Thyme · Jul 9 – Jul 24Sage · Jul 9 – Jul 24Brussels Sprouts · Jul 10 – Aug 9Ground Cherry · Jul 11 – Jul 31Sunflower · Jul 11 – Aug 10Shiso (Perilla) · Jul 11 – Jul 31Lima Bean · Jul 13 – Aug 12Cucamelon · Jul 13 – Jul 23Oregano · Jul 14 – Jul 24Edamame (Soybean) · Jul 16 – Aug 10Tomatillo · Jul 16 – Aug 10Chili Pepper · Jul 18 – Aug 17Cantaloupe / Muskmelon · Jul 18 – Aug 7Watermelon · Jul 18 – Aug 17Eggplant · Jul 20 – Aug 9Leek · Jul 20 – Sep 8Winter Squash · Jul 21 – Aug 20Parsnip · Jul 27 – Aug 26Salsify · Jul 30 – Sep 8Pumpkin · Jul 31 – Aug 30Rosemary · Jul 31 – Aug 30

Planting dates for popular crops in Ohio

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

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

Peak growing season: July garden jobs in Ohio

  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 14). 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, basil, broccoli, cauliflower should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Ohio

Ohio 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 Ohio in July?

24 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 Ohio in July?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Ohio have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 28.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Ohio the next lettuce window opens around August 9: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in Ohio?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 14 and the last spring frost around April 25. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.

What can I harvest in Ohio in July?

From plantings made on time: cabbage, basil, broccoli, cauliflower, radicchio, zucchini / summer squash, tarragon, potato, parsley, bush bean.

← June in OhioAugust in Ohio →Full-year Ohio planting calendar →Ohio frost dates →

What to plant in July in other states

IllinoisIndianaIowaMichiganMinnesotaMissouriWisconsinAlabamaAll states →

Dates are computed from Ohio’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.