What to plant in July in Texas
In Texas (TX), July is the heart of the growing season - about 17 weeks after the last frost (March 15) and 18 weeks before the first (November 15). The state averages 245 frost-free days a year (last frost March 15, first frost November 15; USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a).
11 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including brussels sprouts, rutabaga.
Dates here come from Texas frost dates (last frost Mar 15, first frost Nov 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant tomato, lettuce or garlic in Texas.
Texas 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.
Texas: planting activity through the year
For fall and winter harvests (2)
Sowings counted back from Texas'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 | Jul 16 – Aug 2 | Opens Jul 16 |
| Rutabaga | 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 12
- Bush Bean: sow again on Jul 12
- Sweet Corn: sow again on Jul 12
- Basil: sow again on Jul 12
- Edamame (Soybean): sow again on Jul 12
- Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Jul 5 and Jul 19
- Sunflower: sow again on Jul 12
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Jul 12
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 Texas
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Texas: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: July garden jobs in Texas
- 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.
- 18 weeks until the average first frost (November 15). Fall crops start now: brussels sprouts, rutabaga. 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: lima bean, chili pepper, watermelon, leek should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Texas
Texas spans USDA zones 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a. 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 Texas in July?
11 crops have a window in July: brussels sprouts, rutabaga and more. The tables above give the exact dates for each.
Is it too late to plant tomatoes in Texas in July?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Texas have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about January 18.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Texas in July?
Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Texas the next lettuce window opens around September 10: sow for a fall crop.
When is the first frost in Texas?
The statewide average first fall frost is around November 15 and the last spring frost around March 15. Texas 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 Texas in July?
From plantings made on time: lima bean, chili pepper, watermelon, leek, winter squash, parsnip, salsify, pumpkin, rosemary, celery.
What to plant in July in other states
Dates are computed from Texas’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.