July’s warmth and steady sunshine boosts garden production and makes harvesting a joy. While sitting back and coasting through the rest of the month is tempting, you may consider a second sowing of your favorite veggies. “Succession planting,” or planting in stages, is the secret to stretching your harvests, filling empty spaces, and making the most of your growing season.
By now, early spring crops such as lettuce, peas, radishes, and spinach have likely bolted or been fully harvested, leaving open soil just waiting for something new. With our warm climate, we still have at least three more months of growing time. Why not take advantage of it and keep the produce coming?
Bush beans, carrots, beets, summer squash, and cucumbers can all be planted now and still have time to mature. If pests ravaged a crop or something isn’t performing well, with the steady warmth and long days, you can easily drop in a second round of seeds or starts for a late August or early September harvest, depending on the variety. I often plant a round of winter squash or baby pumpkins to be harvested mid-fall.
And don’t forget your greens. While heat can cause lettuce bolt, choosing heat-tolerant varieties and sowing under taller plants like tomatoes or sunflowers can provide fresh salads into early fall. Swiss chard, collards, kale, broccoli, and cauliflower are hardy and resilient. Planting them now not only preps your fall garden but also lays the groundwork for your winter garden.
Planting Pointers
1. Replenish Nutrients
When you pull out spent crops, take a moment to boost the soil. Mix compost or a balanced fertilizer to restore nutrients and encourage healthy growth. It’s also a good time to check soil moisture and adjust your watering times if necessary.
2. Water Consistently
July sun can be intense, especially in the afternoon. To help young seedlings thrive, water consistently and consider mulching to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
3. Stagger Your Sowing
Want to avoid an overflow of green beans or carrots? Try sowing a small patch every 1–2 weeks through mid-August for a steady, more manageable harvest. This approach spreads out the work of harvesting and preserving and helps keep your meals exciting.
4. Plan for the Future
If you’re aiming for a fall or winter garden, start hardy greens and brassicas like broccoli, cauliflower, and cabbage in the shade of taller plants. They will appreciate the protection, and you’ll be glad come October when homegrown produce is still hitting your table.
There’s something deeply satisfying about squeezing every bit of goodness out of your garden space. Succession planting keeps your garden dynamic, your meals fresh, and your hands in the soil well past summer’s peak. July might be hot and busy, but it’s also an opportunity to keep those harvest baskets overflowing well into late fall and even early winter.
Happy Gardening!