What to plant in July in Pennsylvania
In Pennsylvania (PA), July is the heart of the growing season - about 11 weeks after the last frost (May 1) and 12 weeks before the first (October 10). The state averages 162 frost-free days a year (last frost May 1, first frost October 10; USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b).
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 Pennsylvania frost dates (last frost May 1, first frost Oct 10). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania 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.
Pennsylvania: planting activity through the year
Last chance in July
Rutabaga (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 11)
For fall and winter harvests (19)
Sowings counted back from Pennsylvania'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 24 – Jul 11 | Last chance - ends Jul 11 |
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Jul 1 – Jul 18 | Jul 1 – Jul 18 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Jul 1 – Jul 18 | Jul 1 – Jul 18 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Jul 1 – Jul 18 | Jul 1 – Jul 18 |
| Cucumber | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 8 – Jul 25 | Jul 8 – Jul 25 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 8 – Jul 25 | Jul 8 – Jul 25 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 8 – Jul 25 | Jul 8 – Jul 25 |
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 15 – Aug 1 | Opens Jul 15 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 15 – Aug 1 | Opens Jul 15 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 15 – Aug 1 | Opens Jul 15 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 15 – Aug 1 | Opens Jul 15 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 22 – Aug 8 | Opens Jul 22 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 22 – Aug 8 | Opens Jul 22 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 22 – Aug 8 | Opens Jul 22 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 22 – Aug 8 | Opens Jul 22 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 22 – Aug 8 | Opens Jul 22 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 22 – Aug 8 | Opens Jul 22 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 29 – Aug 15 | Opens Jul 29 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 29 – Aug 15 | Opens Jul 29 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Cucumber: sow again on Jul 17
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Jul 3 and Jul 31
- Bush Bean: sow again on Jul 3 and Jul 17 and Jul 31
- Sweet Corn: sow again on Jul 3 and Jul 17
- Basil: sow again on Jul 17
- Edamame (Soybean): sow again on Jul 3
- Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Jul 10 and Jul 24
- Sunflower: sow again on Jul 3 and Jul 17
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Jul 3 and Jul 17 and Jul 31
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 Pennsylvania
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Pennsylvania: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: July garden jobs in Pennsylvania
- 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 10). 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: napa cabbage, cabbage, borage, basil should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania spans USDA zones 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b. 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 Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania in July?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Pennsylvania have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 6.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Pennsylvania in July?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Pennsylvania the next lettuce window opens around August 5: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Pennsylvania?
The statewide average first fall frost is around October 10 and the last spring frost around May 1. Pennsylvania 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 Pennsylvania in July?
From plantings made on time: napa cabbage, cabbage, borage, basil, broccoli, cauliflower, radicchio, fava bean (broad bean), zucchini / summer squash, tarragon.
What to plant in July in other states
Dates are computed from Pennsylvania’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.