My Planting Calendar

What to plant in July in Washington

In Washington (WA), July is the heart of the growing season - about 12 weeks after the last frost (April 20) and 13 weeks before the first (October 15). The state averages 178 frost-free days a year (last frost April 20, first frost October 15; USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a).

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 Washington frost dates (last frost Apr 20, first frost Oct 15). For one crop in detail, see when to plant broccoli, cabbage or cauliflower in Washington.

Peak growing seasonSow or plant: 24Start indoors: 0Harvesting: 48

Washington 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.

Washington: planting activity through the year

1
24
70
86
58
11
24
33
8
2
2
0
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Frost riskFrost-free: Apr 20 – Oct 15
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 (86).

Last chance in July

Brussels Sprouts (start transplants for fall, by Jul 2) · Rutabaga (sow for a fall crop, by Jul 16)

For fall and winter harvests (18)

Sowings counted back from Washington'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 15 – Jul 2Last chance - ends Jul 2
RutabagaSow for a fall cropJun 29 – Jul 16Last chance - ends Jul 16
BroccoliStart transplants for fallJul 6 – Jul 23Jul 6 – Jul 23
CabbageStart transplants for fallJul 6 – Jul 23Jul 6 – Jul 23
CauliflowerStart transplants for fallJul 6 – Jul 23Jul 6 – Jul 23
CucumberSow for a fall cropJul 13 – Jul 30Jul 13 – Jul 30
Fennel (Bulb)Sow for a fall cropJul 13 – Jul 30Jul 13 – Jul 30
Zucchini / Summer SquashSow for a fall cropJul 13 – Jul 30Jul 13 – Jul 30
Bush BeanSow for a fall cropJul 20 – Aug 6Opens Jul 20
CarrotSow for a fall cropJul 20 – Aug 6Opens Jul 20
KaleSow for a fall cropJul 20 – Aug 6Opens Jul 20
RadicchioSow for a fall cropJul 20 – Aug 6Opens Jul 20
Collard GreensSow for a fall cropJul 27 – Aug 13Opens Jul 27
Endive & EscaroleSow for a fall cropJul 27 – Aug 13Opens Jul 27
Napa CabbageSow for a fall cropJul 27 – Aug 13Opens Jul 27
ParsleySow for a fall cropJul 27 – Aug 13Opens Jul 27
PeaSow for a fall cropJul 27 – Aug 13Opens Jul 27
Swiss ChardSow for a fall cropJul 27 – Aug 13Opens Jul 27

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 · May 29 – Jul 8Basil · Jun 3 – Jul 3Cauliflower · Jun 5 – Jul 5Radicchio · Jun 5 – Jul 15Tarragon · Jun 12 – Jul 12Potato · Jun 15 – Aug 4Parsley · Jun 15 – Jul 5New Zealand Spinach · Jun 16 – Jul 6Fennel (Bulb) · Jun 17 – Jul 12Summer Savory · Jun 21 – Jul 6Mint · Jun 22 – Jul 12Lemon Balm · Jun 22 – Jul 12Cucumber · Jun 23 – Jul 13Okra · Jun 23 – Jul 8Tomato · Jun 26 – Jul 21Pole Bean · Jun 26 – Jul 6Sweet Corn · Jun 26 – Aug 5Sweet Marjoram · Jun 26 – Jul 16Onion · Jun 28 – Jul 28Shallot · Jun 28 – Jul 28Bitter Melon · Jun 28 – Jul 18Malabar Spinach · Jun 28 – Jul 13Endive & Escarole · Jun 30 – Jul 15Bell Pepper · Jul 3 – Aug 2Southern Pea (Cowpea) · Jul 3 – Aug 2Thyme · Jul 4 – Jul 19Sage · Jul 4 – Jul 19Brussels Sprouts · Jul 5 – Aug 4Ground Cherry · Jul 6 – Jul 26Sunflower · Jul 6 – Aug 5Shiso (Perilla) · Jul 6 – Jul 26Lima Bean · Jul 8 – Aug 7Cucamelon · Jul 8 – Jul 18Oregano · Jul 9 – Jul 19Edamame (Soybean) · Jul 11 – Aug 5Tomatillo · Jul 11 – Aug 5Chili Pepper · Jul 13 – Aug 12Cantaloupe / Muskmelon · Jul 13 – Aug 2Watermelon · Jul 13 – Aug 12Eggplant · Jul 15 – Aug 4Leek · Jul 15 – Sep 3Winter Squash · Jul 16 – Aug 15Parsnip · Jul 22 – Aug 21Salsify · Jul 25 – Sep 3Pumpkin · Jul 26 – Aug 25Rosemary · Jul 26 – Aug 25Celery · Jul 29 – Sep 7Celeriac · Jul 29 – Aug 18

Planting dates for popular crops in Washington

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

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

Peak growing season: July garden jobs in Washington

  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 15). 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, cauliflower, radicchio should be coming in. Picking regularly keeps beans, squash and cucumbers producing.

USDA zone chart for Washington

Washington spans USDA zones 4b, 5b, 6b, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a. 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 4May 10Sep 25135 days
Zone 5Apr 30Oct 5160 days
Zone 6Apr 15Oct 15185 days
Zone 7Apr 5Oct 25200 days
Zone 8Mar 20Nov 5230 days
Zone 9Feb 20Nov 30280 days

Questions gardeners ask

What vegetables can I plant in Washington 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 Washington in July?

For this year, yes - the tomato windows in Washington have closed. The next step is to start seeds indoors from about February 23.

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

Not too late - it's actually a little early. In Washington the next lettuce window opens around August 10: sow for a fall crop.

When is the first frost in Washington?

The statewide average first fall frost is around October 15 and the last spring frost around April 20. Washington 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 Washington in July?

From plantings made on time: cabbage, basil, cauliflower, radicchio, tarragon, potato, parsley, new zealand spinach, fennel (bulb), summer savory.

← June in WashingtonAugust in Washington →Full-year Washington planting calendar →Washington frost dates →

What to plant in July in other states

OregonAlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutAll states →

Dates are computed from Washington’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.