What to plant in July in Vermont
In Vermont (VT), July is the heart of the growing season - about 9 weeks after the last frost (May 14) and 10 weeks before the first (September 25). The state averages 134 frost-free days a year (last frost May 14, first frost September 25; USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b).
38 crops have a sowing or planting window this month, including broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber, fennel (bulb), zucchini / summer squash - and 10 of those windows close during July.
Dates here come from Vermont frost dates (last frost May 14, first frost Sep 25). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Vermont.
Vermont: planting activity through the year
Last chance in July
Broccoli (start transplants for fall, by Jul 3) · Cabbage (start transplants for fall, by Jul 3) · Cauliflower (start transplants for fall, by Jul 3) · Cucumber (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 10) · Fennel (Bulb) (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 10) · Zucchini / Summer Squash (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 10) · Bush Bean (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 17) · Carrot (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 17) · Kale (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 17) · Radicchio (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 17)
For fall and winter harvests (33)
Sowings counted back from Vermont'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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broccoli | Start transplants for fall | Jun 16 – Jul 3 | Last chance - ends Jul 3 |
| Cabbage | Start transplants for fall | Jun 16 – Jul 3 | Last chance - ends Jul 3 |
| Cauliflower | Start transplants for fall | Jun 16 – Jul 3 | Last chance - ends Jul 3 |
| Cucumber | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 23 – Jul 10 | Last chance - ends Jul 10 |
| Fennel (Bulb) | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 23 – Jul 10 | Last chance - ends Jul 10 |
| Zucchini / Summer Squash | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 23 – Jul 10 | Last chance - ends Jul 10 |
| Bush Bean | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 30 – Jul 17 | Last chance - ends Jul 17 |
| Carrot | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 30 – Jul 17 | Last chance - ends Jul 17 |
| Kale | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 30 – Jul 17 | Last chance - ends Jul 17 |
| Radicchio | Sow for a fall crop | Jun 30 – Jul 17 | Last chance - ends Jul 17 |
| Collard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 7 – Jul 24 | Jul 7 – Jul 24 |
| Endive & Escarole | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 7 – Jul 24 | Jul 7 – Jul 24 |
| Napa Cabbage | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 7 – Jul 24 | Jul 7 – Jul 24 |
| Parsley | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 7 – Jul 24 | Jul 7 – Jul 24 |
| Pea | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 7 – Jul 24 | Jul 7 – Jul 24 |
| Swiss Chard | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 7 – Jul 24 | Jul 7 – Jul 24 |
| Beet | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 14 – Jul 31 | Jul 14 – Jul 31 |
| Cilantro / Coriander | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 14 – Jul 31 | Jul 14 – Jul 31 |
| Bok Choy / Pak Choi | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 21 – Aug 7 | Opens Jul 21 |
| Borage | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 21 – Aug 7 | Opens Jul 21 |
| Dill | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 21 – Aug 7 | Opens Jul 21 |
| Fava Bean (Broad Bean) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 21 – Aug 7 | Opens Jul 21 |
| Green Onion / Scallion | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 21 – Aug 7 | Opens Jul 21 |
| Kohlrabi | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 21 – Aug 7 | Opens Jul 21 |
| Lettuce | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 21 – Aug 7 | Opens Jul 21 |
| Mache (Corn Salad) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 21 – Aug 7 | Opens Jul 21 |
| Mizuna | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 21 – Aug 7 | Opens Jul 21 |
| Rapini (Broccoli Raab) | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 21 – Aug 7 | Opens Jul 21 |
| Chervil | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 28 – Aug 14 | Opens Jul 28 |
| Mustard Greens | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 28 – Aug 14 | Opens Jul 28 |
| Spinach | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 28 – Aug 14 | Opens Jul 28 |
| Tatsoi | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 28 – Aug 14 | Opens Jul 28 |
| Turnip | Sow for a fall crop | Jul 28 – Aug 14 | Opens Jul 28 |
Keep sowing (succession)
Repeat sowings of crops already in the ground, for a steady harvest instead of a glut.
- Cucumber: sow again on Jul 9
- Zucchini / Summer Squash: sow again on Jul 16
- Bush Bean: sow again on Jul 2 and Jul 16
- Sweet Corn: sow again on Jul 2
- Basil: sow again on Jul 9 and Jul 30
- Southern Pea (Cowpea): sow again on Jul 9
- Sunflower: sow again on Jul 2
- Amaranth (Leaf): sow again on Jul 2 and Jul 16 and Jul 30
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 Vermont
Every crop has its own full-year dates for Vermont: indoor start, transplant or direct sowing, and harvest.
Peak growing season: July garden jobs in Vermont
- 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.
- 10 weeks until the average first frost (September 25). Fall crops start now: broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, cucumber. 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: cilantro / coriander, green onion / scallion, collard greens, napa cabbage should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.
USDA zone chart for Vermont
Vermont spans USDA zones 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b. 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 Vermont in July?
38 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 Vermont in July?
For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Vermont have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about March 19.
Is it too late to plant lettuce in Vermont in July?
No - sow for a fall crop runs Jul 21 – Aug 7 in Vermont.
When is the first frost in Vermont?
The statewide average first fall frost is around September 25 and the last spring frost around May 14. Your town can be a week or two either side - look yours up by ZIP code.
What can I harvest in Vermont in July?
From plantings made on time: cilantro / coriander, green onion / scallion, collard greens, napa cabbage, amaranth (leaf), cabbage, carrot, dill, borage, basil.
What to plant in July in other states
Dates are computed from Vermont’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.